Tana’s been open for nearly three years, but it became New Orleans metro’s most exclusive restaurant this summer with the addition of a $25,000 members-only lounge.
Why it matters: A new membership program with eye-raising prices may have folks talking but most importantly, chef Michael Gulotta says, it’s guaranteeing Tana stability at a time when that’s increasingly hard to come by in the hospitality industry.
Driving the news: The large Italian restaurant was split in two to separate, upgrade and rebrand its existing lounge space as The Blue Room.
- The move leaves half of Tana available for regular walk-ins and reservations.
- Access to The Blue Room, however, comes with a hefty price tag: Members paid an initial $25,000, plus an ongoing $250 per month. When they visit, they also pay for meals and an automatic 20% gratuity, according to Blue Room co-owner Gabe Corchiani.
State of play: There are already 60 members, Corchiani says, and there’s a waitlist for more…