Dishing It: Restaurant and dining news, June 2026
dishing it
beth d'addono
The business of hospitality can be impossibly hard. Even on a night as glittering as Monday’s James Beard Awards in Chicago, that sentiment was echoed by so many award winners from the podium. As they were accepting the coveted medallions, awardees acknowledged that their business could be brutal. Yet, these chefs and restaurateurs still slog away, day in and day out, because they know that what they do matters: to their teams, to their guests. To their cities. To their neighborhoods.
Given the local winners at the event, it makes the recent litany of closings in New Orleans an especially bitter pill. The closing of Café Sbisa, for instance, is heartbreaking. Already reeling under the tragic loss of chef/co-owner Albert Singleton at the age of 46 in March, the historic restaurant could no longer survive the Sewerage and Water Board’s road construction on the 900-1100 blocks of Decatur, which has created a pedestrian war zone for restaurants and small businesses. In a social media post, co-owner Craig Napoli wrote, "We, the Napoli and Singleton Families, fought to keep a historic New Orleans institution alive through grief, economic challenges, and nearly a year of construction disruption. Despite exploring every option to remain open, the ongoing construction ultimately made it impossible to continue.”
Café Sbisa, one of the few restaurants in the Quarter owned by a Black chef, deserved better. The last day of service was June 7th. That wasn’t the only Decatur Street SWB casualty. The creative regional Indian restaurant LUFU Nola at 1118 Decatur threw in the towel that same week, unable to survive the business-bashing construction project. Founded by three friends, Sachin Darade, Aman Kota and chef Sarthak “Shan” Samantaray, the original LUFU NOLA at 301 St. Charles Ave. remains open. LUFU - which stands for Let Us Feed U - earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand at last year’s Michelin South Awards.
More closings of note
After almost 18 years, Coquette is serving its last meal in its beautiful Magazine Street townhouse June 27th. Founded by chef/owner Michael Stoltzfus in 2008, Coquette set a high bar for modern New Orleans fine dining. Stoltzfus, who was twice named a finalist for the James Beard award for Best Chef: South, is leaving his options open as he focuses on Here Today Rotisserie, his casual but elevated chef-driven chicken, sides and wine place on Constance.
Tsunami, a groundbreaking sushi restaurant at the corner of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue since 2017, has closed. Its owners filed for federal bankruptcy protection across the brand, which includes still operating locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine & Pastries closed its doors on Bayou Road in March. Owner Shermond Esteen opened his first location in the 7th Ward during the pandemic in 2020. He cited rising costs as a big factor in the decision. His take on New Orleans homestyle cuisine included outstanding jambalaya, char-broiled oysters and seafood eggrolls.
Wakin’ Bakin’ will also shutter its original Mid-City location at 4408 Banks Street July 15th after 15 years. Known for hearty breakfast entrees and biscuits, the restaurant is keeping its French Quarter location at 900 Dumaine open for business.
.......
Summer is especially tough for restaurants in New Orleans. Last summer, Beth D'Addono talked to chefs about how their tactics to survive the slow months, and how YOU can help keep your favorite food spots in business over the summer. Read SURVIVING AUGUST: A RESTAURATEUR'S GUIDE here.
Beth D'Addono is a food journalist and author based in New Orleans. Her latest book, City Eats: New Orleans ($22.99, published by Harper Collins Focus), is out now.
City Eats: New Orleans - interview with author Beth D'Addono
Given the local winners at the event, it makes the recent litany of closings in New Orleans an especially bitter pill. The closing of Café Sbisa, for instance, is heartbreaking. Already reeling under the tragic loss of chef/co-owner Albert Singleton at the age of 46 in March, the historic restaurant could no longer survive the Sewerage and Water Board’s road construction on the 900-1100 blocks of Decatur, which has created a pedestrian war zone for restaurants and small businesses. In a social media post, co-owner Craig Napoli wrote, "We, the Napoli and Singleton Families, fought to keep a historic New Orleans institution alive through grief, economic challenges, and nearly a year of construction disruption. Despite exploring every option to remain open, the ongoing construction ultimately made it impossible to continue.”
Café Sbisa, one of the few restaurants in the Quarter owned by a Black chef, deserved better. The last day of service was June 7th. That wasn’t the only Decatur Street SWB casualty. The creative regional Indian restaurant LUFU Nola at 1118 Decatur threw in the towel that same week, unable to survive the business-bashing construction project. Founded by three friends, Sachin Darade, Aman Kota and chef Sarthak “Shan” Samantaray, the original LUFU NOLA at 301 St. Charles Ave. remains open. LUFU - which stands for Let Us Feed U - earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand at last year’s Michelin South Awards.
More closings of note
After almost 18 years, Coquette is serving its last meal in its beautiful Magazine Street townhouse June 27th. Founded by chef/owner Michael Stoltzfus in 2008, Coquette set a high bar for modern New Orleans fine dining. Stoltzfus, who was twice named a finalist for the James Beard award for Best Chef: South, is leaving his options open as he focuses on Here Today Rotisserie, his casual but elevated chef-driven chicken, sides and wine place on Constance.
Tsunami, a groundbreaking sushi restaurant at the corner of Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue since 2017, has closed. Its owners filed for federal bankruptcy protection across the brand, which includes still operating locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine & Pastries closed its doors on Bayou Road in March. Owner Shermond Esteen opened his first location in the 7th Ward during the pandemic in 2020. He cited rising costs as a big factor in the decision. His take on New Orleans homestyle cuisine included outstanding jambalaya, char-broiled oysters and seafood eggrolls.
Wakin’ Bakin’ will also shutter its original Mid-City location at 4408 Banks Street July 15th after 15 years. Known for hearty breakfast entrees and biscuits, the restaurant is keeping its French Quarter location at 900 Dumaine open for business.
.......
Summer is especially tough for restaurants in New Orleans. Last summer, Beth D'Addono talked to chefs about how their tactics to survive the slow months, and how YOU can help keep your favorite food spots in business over the summer. Read SURVIVING AUGUST: A RESTAURATEUR'S GUIDE here.
Beth D'Addono is a food journalist and author based in New Orleans. Her latest book, City Eats: New Orleans ($22.99, published by Harper Collins Focus), is out now.
City Eats: New Orleans - interview with author Beth D'Addono