Exclusive: Le Moyne Bistro set to open in Warehouse District
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The opening team behind the Le Moyne Bistro includes, from left, Brian Weisnicht, Lindsay Dukes, Christian Hurst, Farrell Harrison and Tim Armstead. Photo: Courtesy of Randy Schmidt
A new neighborhood French bistro opens in the Warehouse District on Friday, April 4, from the same folks behind plates and the new Maria's Oyster & Wine Bar.
Why it matters: Le Moyne Bistro marks the Fuzzy Hospitality Group's third restaurant opening in just two years, part of a larger wave of small hospitality groups growing their footprints in New Orleans' culinary scene.
Zoom in: The space sits next door to Maria's on Tchoupitoulas Street in the former Tommy's Cuisine location.
- Because they had a space before they had an idea for it, the group "worked backwards" on developing the concept, co-owner Brian Weisnicht says.
- In the end, they felt the Warehouse District had a gap they could fill with a classic French bistro that remained approachable enough that neighbors can drop in multiple times a week.
The vibe: "We don't want to be that stuffy, avant-garde French place," chef Farrell Harrison says. "We want residents of the Warehouse District to come and have a great meal, relax and unwind after a day of work, enjoy some really nice wines and not be afraid of having a great meal and that's gonna break the bank."
- The menu will focus on classic French bistro dishes, chef Christian Hurst added, while showcasing locally sourced proteins and seafood.
- Expect dishes like steak frites, French onion soup, coq au Riesling, crawfish bisque, lavender crème brulée and a lemon posset.
What they're saying: "We opened up plates about 18 months ago, and we didn't have an expansion planned for the next several years," Weisnicht tells Axios New Orleans. "We were perfectly content, but we had a call from the former operators of this location basically letting us know they were looking to put the place on the market."
- "We hemmed and hawed and decided it was a location we could not pass up ... whether we were ready or not."
The big picture: Gone are the days of the Link Restaurant Group, BRG and Brennan-led businesses big-footing New Orleans' food scene.
- Those teams are still here, sure, but recent years have seen a steady rise in new homegrown groups opening restaurants with distinct concepts vying for real estate and hungry diners' attention.
- Mason Hereford, for example, stands behind Turkey & the Wolf, Molly's Rise and Shine, Hungry Eyes and Hot Stuff, and Cara and Evan Benson own Toast, Tartine and the Hen House.
- Larry Morrow owns his namesake place, plus Sun Chong, Monday, Hide/Seek and Morrow Steak.
- Now, as Fuzzy Hospitality Group, Weisnicht and Harrison are joining their ranks with Hurst.
What's next: For now, just getting the restaurant open and running smoothly.
- At least, Weisnicht says, "until we get the next phone call with an offer we can't refuse."
If you go: Le Moyne will be open daily from 5-10pm. Reserve online.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Le Moyne Restaurant opens April 4 (not March 28).