Belle Epoque, New Absinthe Bar in the French Quarter, Opens | Eater New Orleans

"A new cocktail bar and restaurant behind the French Quarter’s historic Old Absinthe House finally opened its doors on October 17, taking over the former Tony Moran’s space to showcase chef Hayley Vanvleet (the opening chef at Curio) and bartender Laura Bellucci (SoBou’s former head bartender). I report that Vanvleet’s menu is designed to complement absinthe and other featured spirits, with starters like raw oysters with absinthe mignonette, crab and sweet potato gnocchi, and a dish called “The Ugly Dumplings” (French onion soup dumplings); entrees include a coq a vin fried chicken, gulf fish with crispy kale and sauce vierge (olive oil, lemon juice, tomato and basil), lamb loin chops, and grilled head-on shrimp with farro. The lounge is part of a ten-month historic renovation that resulted in a design-heavy space with extravagant chandeliers, a restored original Absinthe House bar, and antique water-drip absinthe fountains, and the venue also joins other newcomers in offering trendy raclette service, with melted cheese scraped off the wheel tableside. As of October 17 the bar is open 4 p.m.–2 a.m. Thursday–Saturday and 3 p.m.–1 a.m. on Sunday, with a late-night happy hour from midnight–2 a.m." - Clair Lorell