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Covington / Mandeville Restaurants - mid 1970s

Posted on 1/12/12 at 2:59 pm
Posted by BondJamesBond
Too Far from Tiger Stadium
Member since Oct 2011
361 posts
Posted on 1/12/12 at 2:59 pm
A friend is writing a novel set in St. Tammany Parish in the mid 1970s and has one scene at Bechac's in Mandeville, but needs to know what other high end restaurants might have been popular in that part of the world in the mid 1970s.

FWIW, here is his first novel, set primarily in Bogalusa:

In Search of the Yellow Dog
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101312 posts
Posted on 1/12/12 at 3:56 pm to
quote:

but needs to know what other high end restaurants might have been popular in that part of the world in the mid 1970s.



How long has La Provence been around?
Posted by TypoKnig
Member since Aug 2011
8928 posts
Posted on 1/12/12 at 3:57 pm to
quote:

How long has La Provence been around?


Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101312 posts
Posted on 1/12/12 at 4:01 pm to
Que?
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
20224 posts
Posted on 1/12/12 at 8:05 pm to
I recall Tony Pedone's from the 60s and 70s.
Posted by GrassIsAlwaysGreener
Member since Oct 2011
68 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 6:50 am to
Sal n Judy's in Lacombe
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50092 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:11 am to
Why is that funny? I know it was open...and very respected...in the '80's...just not sure when it started.
Posted by TulaneLSU
Member since Aug 2003
Member since Dec 2007
13298 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:22 am to
I don't get the humor either. I thought La Provence opened in the 70s, but I'm not sure. I vaguely remember reading it in Besh's My New Orleans cookbook. Of course, Besh didn't own it at the time.

Bad taste to laugh at one of the most respected Food Board writers' question.

Here's what Fitzmorris has to say:

Chris Kerageorgiou--Greek-heritage native of the south of France--came to New Orleans in the 1960s after cooking around the world. After years as the maitre d' at the Royal Orleans Hotel, he ignored all advice in 1972 and opened his own restaurant in the woods near Lacombe. The North Shore population was much smaller and less inclined to fine dining than it is now. Chris's food was so good that La Provence drew avid eaters from both shores. After battling Katrina and a health problem that would kill him within a year, Chris sold the restaurant to his former sous chef, John Besh. Besh turned the expansive premises into a small farm, raising chickens, pigs, goats, vegetables, and herbs. He brought in a series of excellent chef-partners, each of whom cooked brilliantly. Problem was, regular customers were put off by the changes. In early 2009, Besh brought in Chef Erik Loos, who found the groove.
This post was edited on 1/13/12 at 7:29 am
Posted by plawmac
Member since Dec 2007
3210 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:28 am to
I recall eating at LaProvence in 1977, when I was a senior in HS. It had been opened a few years beforehand - but not sure when it was established.
Posted by BondJamesBond
Too Far from Tiger Stadium
Member since Oct 2011
361 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:32 am to
One of my FB friends on the Northshore called La Provence and asked them how long they've been in business. The girl answering the phone said it had been forty years, but then someone else came on the line and said 33. Thirty three years would put the opening to be 1978/1979. Potter is looking for something in business in 75-76.
Posted by TulaneLSU
Member since Aug 2003
Member since Dec 2007
13298 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:33 am to
According to Fitzmorris, it opened in 1972.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50092 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:40 am to
The original chef/owner was featured in the Great Chefs of New Orleans series that I remember from the '80's. I plan on hitting it when I make The Great Food Raid of the Greater New Orleans in late spring.
Posted by BondJamesBond
Too Far from Tiger Stadium
Member since Oct 2011
361 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 7:51 am to
quote:

According to Fitzmorris, it opened in 1972.


That sounds authoritative. I'll suggest this to him.

Thanks all.
Posted by BRgetthenet
Member since Oct 2011
117678 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 8:01 am to
quote:

Great Chefs of New Orleans series that I remember from the '80's


I miss the hell out of this series.
Posted by lsu68
huntsville, al
Member since Sep 2003
101 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 8:31 am to
MASHBURN'S
Posted by blueridgeTiger
Granbury, TX
Member since Jun 2004
20224 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 8:41 am to
quote:

MASHBURN'S


Famous lawsuit in the 70s - restaurant sued food critic.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50092 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 8:47 am to
quote:


Great Chefs of New Orleans series that I remember from the '80's




I miss the hell out of this series.
Ditto.
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101312 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 9:21 am to
quote:

Great Chefs of New Orleans series




Loved the format of that show. It was simply chefs preparing their dishes. No need for flashy stuff or other silliness.

The old French guy from La Provence used to also do a segment on a local N.O. station with an old Italian guy, I think he was the chef at La Riviera in Metairie. It was hysterically awesome.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
50092 posts
Posted on 1/13/12 at 10:21 am to
quote:

Loved the format of that show. It was simply chefs preparing their dishes. No need for flashy stuff or other silliness.
Would love to see that style come back.
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