Classic Restaurants of New Orleans - (American Palate) by Alexandra Kennon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Every New Orleanian knows Leah Chase's gumbo, but few realize that the Freedom Fighters gathered and strategized over bowls of that very dish.

Or that Parkway's roast beef po-boy originated in a streetcar conductors' strike. In a town where Antoine's Oysters Rockefeller is still served up by the founder's great-great-grandson, discover the chefs and restaurateurs who kept their gas flames burning through the Great Depression and Hurricane Katrina. Author Alexandra Kennon weaves the classic offerings of Creole grande dames together with contemporary neighborhood staples for a guide through the Crescent City's culinary soul. From Brennan's Bananas Foster to Galatoire's Soufflé Potatoes, this collection also features a recipe from each restaurant, allowing readers to replicate iconic New Orleans cuisine at home.

Review Quotes

The roux-spattered archives of Antoine's, Arnaud's, Parkway Bakery and Tavern, and other heavyweights are crammed with anecdotes, not to mention recipes, but that's where Kennon's highly unusual CV comes in. The editor/entertainer sifts through a century and a half of culinary histories to craft a compelling narrative rife with colorful traditions... Just as valuable are her expansive conversations with owners, chefs, bartenders, and oyster shuckers alike as they tote weighty reputations and make delicate changes with another century of success in mind. In many places, chefs can carry the burden of a restaurant and its menu, said Kennon, but in New Orleans it's really a mix of chefs and owners carrying on family legacies. You don't go into a role as fifth generation owner of a family business without being passionate. They feel an obligation--and were honest about that. But there was always passion. Country Roads Magazine

Within its pages, Kennon explores what it's like to be part of the process of creating the thousands of memorable meals that have been served at some of the most beloved (and mostly family-run) restaurants over the decades. The Advocate