Looking to hit up the freshest spots in the Central Business District? Offering everything from sandwiches to raw oysters, read on for a list of the newest food businesses to open their doors in this New Orleans neighborhood.
SoLA Deli at Auction House Market
801 Magazine St.
SoLA Deli at Auction House Market is both a shop for olive oil, spices and seasonings, and a deli offering light meals.
Sandwiches are made from fresh Gracious Bakery bread and include seared pork tenderloin with chimichurri, a Cajun turkey po'boy, and a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with caramelized onion. Salads like a Caesar with roasted garlic dressing and spicy croutons are also on offer.
Yelpers are excited about SoLA Deli at Auction House Market, which currently holds five stars from three reviews on the site.
Jared B., who reviewed it on June 6, wrote, "Absolutely delicious sandwiches and salads, always so fresh! Love using them for catering events as well, amazing catering menu. SoLA's spices and infused oils make excellent gifts for my clients."
Gerald F. added, "We had a great lunch at SoLA Deli! The food was so fresh and full of wonderful flavor. The atmosphere at Auction House Market is both vibrant and laid back. Perfect for any time of day."
SoLA Deli at Auction House Market is open from 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday.
Madam's Modern Kitchen + Bar
1300 Canal St.
Madam's Modern Kitchen + Bar is a Cajun/Creole and New American spot at the newly renovated B on Canal Hotel in a former red light district.
The menu is multicultural, joining classic Creole cuisine with the flavors of Southeast Asia, Italy and Latin America. It starts with small plates of black pepper shrimp or oysters from the raw bar and proceeds to entrees like crawfish ravioli and adobo-braised pork shank. The new brunch on Saturdays and Sundays includes $15 bottomless mimosas and live jazz, according to Eater New Orleans.
Madam's Modern Kitchen + Bar currently holds five stars out of three reviews on Yelp, indicating solid reviews.
Yelper Trammel A. noted, "Great food and atmosphere. Charbroiled oyster was delicious. Service is fast and attendants are friendly."
Vera A. wrote, "One of my favorite places to come on Friday night. I love the place, the food and the people."
Madam's Modern Kitchen + Bar is open from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.–2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
La Cocinita
234 Loyola Ave.
La Cocinita, which started off as a food truck, has opened a second restaurant space, this time in the Pythian Market food hall. It's still serving its Mexican and South American cuisine, like the Venezuelan arepa — thick corn patties — and tacos filled with shredded beef, butternut squash and black beans, or chicken with Chihuahua cheese.
Create your own meal by choosing a protein and sauce from options like Venezuelan guacamole, cilantro-green onion sauce, to name a few. Housemade horchata (cinnamon rice milk) and Mexican sodas are on hand to wash it down.
La Cocinita currently has four stars based on two Yelp reviews.
Yelper Morgan F., who reviewed the eatery on June 6, wrote, "The carne asada was thick well-seasoned chunks of meat and not cheap stringy bits. The mix was no store bought pico. And the arepas ... I'm not a big corn tortilla person, and I hate when this sort of dish just crumbles, but these were crispy and fluffy at the same time and held it all together till my last bite!"
Abby S. noted, "Build-your-own veggie bowl was delicious, especially the maduros on top. My meal totaled $19, including a drink, so it's a bit pricey, but I'd buy the bowl again in a heartbeat."
La Cocinita is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Cafe Bon Ami
822 Perdido, Unit E
Cafe Bon Ami does coffee and pastries in a minimalist, industrial space. A ham and cheese croissant will have to do for a meal, if the pastries and cookies don't take care of you.
Drink options include drip coffee, pour overs and espresso, plus chai and iced tea. If you fall in love with the coffee, you can buy whole beans to take home.
Cafe Bon Ami's current Yelp rating of five stars out of 12 reviews indicates positive feedback.
Yelper Shawn L. wrote, "Delicious coffee, delicious lattes, delicious pastries! The staff was super friendly, and it wasn't too busy when we stopped by so we got to chat with them for a while. Would definitely recommend for a quick coffee to go, or to sit and enjoy at their bar seating."
Selina I. noted, "They use Cafe Grumpy beans, which I had never had before, and the coffee is amazing. My go-to drink is an iced americano, and I usually add a splash of half and half, but the americano here does not need any modifications!"
Cafe Bon Ami is open from 7 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.–noon on weekends.
Jayne's Bistro & Bar
1111 Gravier St.
Finally, Jayne's Bistro & Bar is a cocktail bar and Southern cuisine spot in the Troubadour Hotel.
Things start at breakfast, with Nola eggs (two poached eggs on toasted brioche rounds with seared house-made andouille sausage, and Crystal Hot Sauce hollandaise) and stone-ground grits. At dinner, options include beer-brined smoked chicken and pan-fried gulf fish with English pea puree, pistachio mint pesto and matchstick potatoes. Bartenders serve cocktails, beer and wine at the circular bar.
Jayne's Bistro & Bar has received a warm reception with four stars out of five reviews on Yelp.
Yelper Doug B., who reviewed the bistro on June 1, wrote, "Nice work by the team at breakfast today. Custom-made omelet and attentive staff. They even made my wife an omelet to go since she wasn't out of bed yet. I'll be back!"
Jen F. noted, "I really enjoyed Jayne's. The citrus salad was super refreshing and tasty! Perfect for a light dinner and a cocktail. The cocktails are expensive ($12) but interesting."
Jayne's Bistro & Bar is open from 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.–10 p.m. on weekends.
