New Orleans Culinary Scene is Hot This November

November is here and the calendar is packed with dining happening all over town! From brunch to happy hour to Thanksgiving plans, this PR roundup really covers all the bases.

Brunch:

Birdy’s Behind the Bower

As the weather cools, guests can head to Birdy’s for indoor or al fresco brunch, available seven days a week. The new Fall brunch menu features an array of culinary delights, including a  Fried Chicken Biscuit with crispy chicken thigh, chicken sausage, country gravy, and sunny side egg; Pulled Pork Benedict with citrus braised pork, poached eggs, hollandaise, and English muffin; Apple and Watercress Salad with arugula, Granny Smith apples, toasted walnuts, dried cherries, blue cheese, bacon, and lemon poppyseed vinaigrette; Croque Madame with Chisesi ham, gruyere custard, thyme, fried egg, and served with a side salad; Shrimp and Grits Eggroll with green onion and cabbage slaw, and citrus pepper sauce; and Apple Bubble Waffle with cinnamon, simmered apples, granola, whipped cream, and caramel. Grab your friends and share the decadent  Brunch Board with bacon, prosciutto, bubble waffles, mini donuts, mini pancakes, fruit, seasonal jam, granola, cookies, triple crème brie, and soft-boiled eggs. $22 bottomless mimosas are also available during your experience. Birdy’s serves brunch seven days a week from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Birdy’s is located at 1320 Magazine Street. https://birdysnola.com/ 

Mister Mao

In response to popular demand, Mister Mao will expand its famed dim-sum brunch to Saturdays beginning November 4, 2023. The “inauthentic” global eatery will feature an ever-changing selection of dim-sum style dishes from the famed roving carts. Guests can also enjoy bold and flavorful dishes from Chef/Owner Sophina Uong like Gulf Shrimp Dumplings with Thai red curry, chile oil, and arugula; Smoked Lamb Belly with Cameroon pepper, dried lime, and scallion vinegar; Pork Lumpia with sweet and sour Wildcat juice; and Chicken + Rice Dumplings with leeks, sticky rice, and gluten-free tamari vinaigrette. Try treats like the Unicorn Toast and Laozi Ice Cream Sundaes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Elevate your brunch experience by adding the new $35 bottomless mimosas to your order, or enjoy boozy brunch libations including the Walk of Shame with vodka, passionfruit, rose water, and lemon; Honey Gold with Marsh House rum, fig, Thai spice, baked apple and turmeric syrup; and Viva Forever with vodka, Chai spice, clove, beets, and El Guapo Cajun Grenadine. New Brunch hours for Saturdays and Sundays will be 11 a.m. -2 p.m.   

Sample menu: https://www.mistermaonola.com/sunday-brunch-1128.

New Brunch hours for Saturdays and Sundays will be 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations can be made on Resy or by calling (504) 345-2056. 

Mister Mao is at 4501 Tchoupitoulas. www.mistermaonola.com

Tujague’s

The second oldest restaurant in New Orleans is the birthplace of the tradition we know as brunch. This Fall, the Creole restaurant is unveiling a variety of new offerings, including  New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp with grilled French bread, Fried Oyster Wedge Salad with corn-fried oysters, iceberg lettuce, buttermilk dressing, applewood smoked bacon, onions, tomatoes, and crumbled bleu cheese; Eggs Benedict with poached eggs, English muffin, sliced ham, haricots verts, and hollandaise sauce; Tujague’s Brisket Bowl with tender brisket, peppers, onion, tomatoes, and garlic, tossed with fried new potatoes, and topped with fried eggs; Pan Roasted Gulf Fish served on Lyonnaise potatoes, caramelized onions, and roasted garlic butter sauce; Tujague’s Chicken Biscuit with fried chicken thigh glazed with crystal honey sauce, country gravy, and served on a buttermilk biscuit; and the Omelet Du Jour. The restaurant also offers a bottomless mimosa brunch experience for $20. Brunch is available Friday from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street. www.tujaguesrestaurant.com/

Compere Lapin

Whether it’s brunch or dinner, dining at Compere Lapin is always exceptional. Helmed by Chef Nina Compton, the Caribbean-meets-Louisiana restaurant offers a delightful Sunday Brunch from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Starters include Buttermilk Biscuits with peach jam and whipped ricotta, Tater Tots with crème fraiche and caviar; Bagel with tuna tartare, Calabrian cream cheese and soft herbs; Housemade Granola with yogurt and berries; Vanilla Brûléed Grapefruit, and Smoked Fish Dip with pickles and seeded lavash. Main plates include Beef Bolognese with potato and ricotta gnocchi and arugula; Fried Chicken with biscuits and hot honey; Shrimp and Grits with Creole sauce; French Toast with chantilly cream and rum caramel; and Hanger Steak with pomme purée and sunny side up egg. Guests can end on a sweet note with Beignets with rum caramel; Bread Pudding with stewed local berries, Chantilly cream, and mint; and Mango Crème Brûlée with coconut and berries. Enjoy boozy brunch offerings like Last Stag with Union Mezcal, German amaro, Luxardo maraschino, and lime; and House of Zanzibar with Appleton Estate Rum, tempus fugit banane, orgeat, angostura, and citrus. Compere Lapin is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. http://comperelapin.com/  

Happy Hour:

Mister Mao

It’s always a fun time at the tropical roadhouse. During Mister Mao’s “Here Comes the Chuck Wagon” Happy Hour, relish in a selection of ever-changing dim-sum style dishes served on the roving carts for $8-$12. Dishes include  Filipino Chicken Lumpia with sweet + sour Wildcat juice; Covey Rise Sugar Snaps with sesame yum Workhouse sauce; Spicy Chinese Honey Popcorn Shrimp with milk mayo, pumpkin seed, Arbol chile; Pork Siu Mai with leek + ginger; Pan Fried Shrimp Ugly Dumplings with tamari + chile oil vinaigrette; Naked Bill’s Huli Hula Meatballs; Bright Side Oysters and Meat on Tiny Sticks with garlic yogurt + cucumber pickles. Many of the cart offerings are gluten-free. Guests can enjoy $8 rotating specialty cocktails and $8 house wine by the glass. Here Comes the Chuck Wagon Happy Hour is available Thursday – Monday from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The Bower Bar

The perfect spot to gather for cocktails, conversations, and bites, Happy Hour at The Bower Bar is always a good time. Available Monday through Saturday, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., revelers can enjoy $5 and $6 libations such as various house wines, the classic martini in either gin or vodka, Daiquiri, Paloma, and a Tom Collins. Food offerings include discounted ($7-12) charcuterie plates – chef’s selection of two types of meat, cheese plates, cacio e pepe with tagliatelle, pink & green peppercorns, and Parmesan Vecchio, whipped feta, Bower potatoes, truffle bread, and Maggie’s mushroom arancini. The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street. https://www.thebowernola.com/  

Costera Restaurant and Bar

Costera,  the coastal Spanish restaurant and bar by co-owners Chef Brian Burns and Restaurateur Reno De Ranieri and sister location to the hit Italian eatery, Osteria Lupo, features coastal Spanish cuisine, highlighting local produce and Gulf seafood in a casual, communal dining setting. During happy hour, enjoy discounted tapas, specialty cocktails, beer, and glassed wine for half price, Wednesday through Sunday from 4–6 p.m. Tapas include Marinated Olives, Beet Salad with spiced walnuts, and Spanish blue cheese, Papas Bravas with aioli and Piquillo pepper puree; and beef shank and potato Bombas with aioli and piquillo pepper. Featured drinks include the Basque Terrace, Going Back to Kali, Rebujito, The Innocent, On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink, Costera Dirty Martini, and Trabanco Cider. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. https://costerarestaurant.com/

Special Events:

Chef Yia Vang of Vinai brings Hmong cuisine to Mister Mao

Mister Mao, known for hosting its popular guest chef pop-up series – the one-night-only dinners that spotlight visiting chefs, vendors, and more – is pleased to welcome Minnesota’s  Chef Yia Vang of Vinai and Union Hmong Kitchen for an extraordinary five-course dinner.

 Dedicated to telling stories through food, the 2022 James Beard nominated challenger on Netflix’s “Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend,” and host of the new thrilling cooking and culture series “Feral,” Chef Yia Vang, will highlight some of his favorite Hmong dishes at the tropical roadhouse. Visitors can enjoy these unique flavors here in New Orleans for $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The menu follows:

 First Course

Fried Oyster Laab

 Second Course

Crispy Boudin Papaya Salad

 Third Course

Hangover Noodles with Schezwan Coffee Bolo

 Fourth Course

Hilltribe Grilled Pork & Purple Sticky Rice

Fifth Course

Chai Tea & Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream

dark chocolate + espresso cream

Collab with Sam Caruso of ‘Laozi Ice Cream’

*Menu subject to change

 For an additional $35, visitors can add a beverage pairing and enjoy creative libations from Mister Mao’s acclaimed cocktail menu.

 Mister Mao and Chef Yia Vang’s dinner will take place Tuesday, November 7, with seating at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reservations can be made on Resy.

 Jack Rose with the acclaimed PlumpJack Estate Winery. 

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 7 p.m., the culinary crown of the Pontchartrain Hotel will team up with PlumpJack Estate Winery for a thoughtfully crafted four-course pairing dinner curated by Chef/Owner Brian Landry and the PlumpJack team. Priced at $200 per person (including tax and gratuity), the menu follows: 

First Course 

Scallop crudo, sea salt, lemon balsamic, and petit herbs 

Cade Estate Winery | Sauvignon Blanc 

 Second Course

Campanelle, lobster mushrooms, guanciale, cured egg and goat cheese 

PlumpJack Estate | Chardonnay  

 Third Course 

Lamb porchetta, Italian sausage, polenta and parmigiano 

PlumpJack Estate | Cabernet Sauvignon 

 Fourth Course

“Blu Basque” crustless cheesecake, speckled blue cheese, and pear praline sauce

Adaption | Petite Sirah  

Thanksgiving:

Ayu Bakehouse will offer three pies—Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, and Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie—available for pre-order (starting 11/1) or for walk-ins (whole or by the slice starting 11/13) while supplies last. Menu HERE; photos HERE; pre-order HERE.

Bar Marilou will be open regular business hours on Thanksgiving day with festive specials, including Baby Pumpkin Spicy Cheese Soufflé with spiced goat cheese and chestnut crumb and Sweet Potato Brulée with pistachio and black pepper biscotti. Menu HERE; reserve HERE.

Devil Moon BBQ will have all the essentials, from a Whole Smoked Turkey with satsuma glaze to unique takes on the classic sides like Cornbread Dressing with Gulf shrimp and smoked tasso, Whipped Sweet Potatoes with pecan praline streusel, and Stuffed Mirlitons with deviled crab filling—full menu HERE; photo HERE; pre-order HERE.

Josephine Estelle’s family-style menu ($75/pp) includes Pumpkin Soup with leek, brown butter pepitas, and creme fraiche; Cornbread Gnudi with confited pheasant and crispy brussel leaves; and, for the entree, a choice of Roasted Turkey Breast or Porchetta with festive sides. Full menu HERE; photo HERE; reserve HERE (also available for takeout).

Seaworthy will offer its full à la carte menu on Thanksgiving and holiday specials, including Oyster Dressin’ with andouille sausage and cornbread stuffing. Menu HERE; reserve HERE.

Hanukkah (+ the return of the L’Chaim Lounge!) at Saba: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Saba’s signature Latke Board and drink specials. L’Chaim Lounge will be in full swing throughout Hanukkah (December 7-15; closed Tuesday).

Latkes with optional caviar will also be available throughout Hanukkah at Miss River and Chandelier Bar.

Christmas:

Ayu Bakehouse will offer their stunning and one-of-a-kind NOLA shotgun-style gingerbread houses, satsuma curd-filled “BaYule Logs,” and Hot ‘Mallow kits (all available for local pickup + Hot ‘Mallow for shipping nationwide).

Josephine Estelle invites you to celebrate holiday gatherings—or year-round celebrations—at their Chef’s Table. Perfect for groups of 8-22, it offers prix-fixe, large-format dinners starting at $75/guest, with optional wine pairings. Menu HERE; reserve HERE.

New Year’s Eve Surrealist’s Ball at Bar Marilou: This over-the-top surrealist celebration returns with lavish libations and bites—Wagyu Sliders with foie gras pave and caramelized onion; Chilled Oyster with tomato horseradish granita—to ring in the new year along with a live DJ set from Lady Lavender 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets ($100-150) will be available on Resy.

Last call for Lengua Madre: Chef Ana Castro has planned an epic sendoff to Lengua Madre before it closes its doors at the end of the year. From December 27-30, the restaurant’s tasting menu will feature the “greatest hits”; on December 31, in place of dinner service, the restaurant will host a more casual shindig from 12–6 p.m. with a counter service menu, good wine and cocktails, live mariachi band, and block party vibes.

Coquette, reinvented: Just a note that Coquette has recently rolled out its new menu, with expanded à la carte offerings and a stunning new raw bar selection. This comes in tandem with Chef-Owner Michael Stoltzfus’ upcoming opening (early 2024) of a restaurant at the current Lengua Madre location. You can see the new menu HERE.

Football season continues:

Ayu Bakehouse has recently rolled out a tailgating package featuring miniature versions of their Boudin Boy, Muffuletta Breadstick, and Shroom Boom, perfect for football watch parties. They’ve also created a beautiful Saints Sourdough loaf stenciled with the Saints logo—photos HERE; pre-order HERE.

Devil Moon BBQ has introduced game-day specials, exclusively available for pickup at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, including BBQ Breakfast Tacos, Smoked Bloody Marys, and Loaded Chicken Wraps. Menu HERE; photos HERE; pre-order HERE