The view of the river out front is so good, the appeal was clear even when the restaurant space was a blank slate. Now, in the weeks before Delacroix Restaurant opens, the people behind it are giving a glimpse of what they’ve created inside, and what they plan to bring to the table.
Delacroix is slated to open by the end of September, with some previews beforehand and a chance to sample forthcoming dishes at its sibling restaurants in New Orleans (see details below).
The new restaurant is on Spanish Plaza next to the Canal Street ferry landing, in a space that’s been empty for years and on a stretch of the river being primed for new attention.
The name comes from the St. Bernard Parish fishing village, and that translates to the menu, full of Louisiana dishes, and the setting, inspired by fishing camps, coastal culture and the family stories running through them.
The dining room and patio give a striking vista of the Mississippi and maritime traffic navigating one of the great curves that gives the Crescent City its nickname. It’s a significant addition in a city based on the river, but with a few places for people to dine with a view of it.
“It’s an honor to be here, to represent Louisiana in a way that’s meaningful to all of us involved in this,” said chef John Besh in an interview. “We want to cook rustic food, from turtle sauce piquant with Des Allemands catfish to making daube cool again.”…