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As it barrels toward Mississippi and Alabama, Hurricane Sally is bypassing “Nawlins,” which means New Orleans restaurants will proceed with their mid-September openings..."
Irene’s Cuisine New Orleans - Reopening Tuesday September 15
As it barrels toward Mississippi and Alabama, Hurricane Sally is bypassing “Nawlins,” which means New Orleans restaurants will proceed with their mid-September openings. Pat O' Brien's for instance is reopening. So is Commander's Palace. Commander's recently announced it is thrilled to welcome diners back to its swanky dining rooms, and reminded them to wear masks when they enter, while chit-chatting at other tables, and when going to pee.
At 5:30 on Tuesday September 15, Irene’s Cuisine also opens its dining rooms. Tables are naturally spread apart, which makes the building's historical architecture more noticeable. It's easier to see the dark wood stained fireplace and matching wainscoting. Look closely at the striking columnar architectural details that decorate the bar.
Irene's recently posted images of its brick-floor patio which is enclosed by antique brick walls covered with vines and lush greenery. Vines climb up wooden columns and run across an overhead trellis that holds ceiling fans. Tiny lights hang above. Especially beautiful are the large classical style urns filled with hibiscus and ferns, as well as the sculptural figures that borrow from Roman antiquity and the four-tiered fountain that will make the tinkly-water sounds, typical of French Quarter patios. I can't wait to be on that patio.
As a child in Sicily, Irene DiPietro appreciated the sheer beauty of her grandmother’s herb garden, olive trees and citrus orchard. She watched her grandmother bake fresh bread, and made trips to the wine cellar to carry out bottles of home-made wine. DiPietro opened Irene’s Cuisine on St. Philip street in "da quarter" in 1992, and a few years ago moved to the current location at 529 Bienville Street. After formal culinary training, and gigs in Italy and New Orleans including Commander's Palace, her son Chef Nicholas Scalco joined her.
The Sicilian ancestry that inspired Irene’s culinary
passion reaches deep into the past. Irene actually acknowledged this by
crediting her “parents and grandparents and their forebears.” Her grandmother’s
city is Noto, on the south east coast of Sicily. Noto is not too far from Syracuse,
which was colonized by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, about the
same time the Phoenicians colonized the western part of Sicily. The ancient
Romans arrived in 212 BC. Historical facts like these say a lot about the complexity
of the Sicilian culinary tradition that inspired Irene’s food.
As my readers know, I'm not a food critic. But I do enjoy writing about exceptional food and booze. Irene's Lasagna Bolognese is made with ground veal and ricotta cheese and comes topped with fried eggplant medallions. It is outstanding. I also highly recommend the Mussels Marinara, which make me think of the mussels I ate on the south east coast of Sicily. One of the restaurant's most elegant dishes is the Grilled Lamb Chops called Lamb a' la Provence. Perfectly cooked chops sit in a rosemary and port wine sauce.
Irene's Cuisine
529 Bienville Street
Irenesnola.com
Carolyn Simon, Vermilion Bay Seafood, Tony Chachere Recipe
Ryan Baptiste - The Light Beyond The Blight - Redbud Gallery - Echoes of New Orleans
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/06/ryan-baptiste-light-beyond-blight.html
Billeaud's Too, Calvin Trillin, and Jacking with Cajun Boudin
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/04/billeauds-too-calvin-trillin-and.html
Martha Stewart Visits Lucullus Antiques - Patrick Dunne - New Orleans https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2019/10/jimmy-domengeaux-chats-about-his.html
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition – Interview
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2019/05/notes-on-irises-essay.html
A Closer Look at Christy Karll’s Painting “Swerve” – Interview
Thoughts about Crawfish and Slot Machines - Louisiana Food Politics - Essay
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/04/a-few-thoughts-about-crawfish-and-slot.html
As my readers know, I'm not a food critic. But I do enjoy writing about exceptional food and booze. Irene's Lasagna Bolognese is made with ground veal and ricotta cheese and comes topped with fried eggplant medallions. It is outstanding. I also highly recommend the Mussels Marinara, which make me think of the mussels I ate on the south east coast of Sicily. One of the restaurant's most elegant dishes is the Grilled Lamb Chops called Lamb a' la Provence. Perfectly cooked chops sit in a rosemary and port wine sauce.
529 Bienville Street
Irenesnola.com
(Selected Articles on BOUDINANDBOURBON.COM)
A Tribute to Jim Bob Moffett - An Edgy Wildcatter
Norbert’s Restaurant - John and Lillie Mae Norbert - Broussard Louisiana History Biography
Morvant’s Bar and Grill - Formerly Bero's Youngsville Louisiana - 96 Year History
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/07/morvants-bar-grill-formerly-beros.htmlCarolyn Simon, Vermilion Bay Seafood, Tony Chachere Recipe
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/06/ryan-baptiste-light-beyond-blight.html
Bayview Inn, Cypremort Point Louisiana, Cranking Up
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/05/bayview-inn-cypremort-point-louisiana.htmlBilleaud's Too, Calvin Trillin, and Jacking with Cajun Boudin
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2020/04/billeauds-too-calvin-trillin-and.html
Martha Stewart Visits Lucullus Antiques - Patrick Dunne - New Orleans
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition – Interview
Notes on van Gogh’s Irises, Walter Annenberg, Louisiana Politics - Essay
A Closer Look at Christy Karll’s Painting “Swerve” – Interview
A Closer Look - Beef Empanadas with Olives - Seco’s Latin Cuisine - Essay
Giacomo Restaurant's Foradori, Rotaliano, Trentino 2015" - Red wine produced by Elisabetta Foradori in Trentino Italy - A Closer Look
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/06/giacomo-restaurants-teroldego-foradori.htmlThoughts about Crawfish and Slot Machines - Louisiana Food Politics - Essay
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/04/a-few-thoughts-about-crawfish-and-slot.html
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