re: Rumor: new restaurant opening in Lakeview?

Yeah, I heard quite a few bad reports from friends about that location. Who knows what will work. Velvet cactus put out pretty average food, but they seem to be doing very well.

My wife's cousin looked into that space a while back but the inability to get a liquor license ended that. Mondo seems to be doing well and I always thought Link would want something in his neighborhood similar to Spicer. Maybe the parking limitations are a factor but it doesn't seem to be hurting any of the places there currently.

Lakeview people are definitely loyal to Lakeview, so most places will have at least a fighting chance as long as they aren't complete garbage.

I know most people think that Metairie is meant for chains but look at the success of Cypress. It is more of a fine dining place, which most of the restaurant industry is trending away from, and it is doing well.

One thing that is vitally important to all new restaurants in New Orleans is a certain amount of tourist trade. That could be one limiting factor. Also, and this would just be a guess, lack of significant office space or other day foot traffic may limit lunchtime business. Lakeview may more closely resemble a commuter suburb or bedroom community than a neighborhood of New Orleans, but with the benefit of being only 5-10 minutes from the action. Would have to also wonder if the amount of young families in Lakeview makes getting two turns at a restaurant less likely. That is LV restaurants get a run at say 6-8, but then business gets quiet fast.

My best guess is enough people who know a lot about restaurants feel there isnt a strong enough market to go into Lakeview. But the liquor license issue is still the number one limiting factor.

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Velvet cactus put out pretty average food,

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To call the food at Velvet Cactus average is an insult to average food everywhere. The food there is an unholy abortion, maybe one step above dogfood or Chili's. Total garbage.

Meh, it is about like most of the average Mexican restaurants around New Orleans. It's sad that they wouldn't at least try to be a little better.

The Harrison area doesn't really have any open spots at the moment. The Le Foret guy is opening a place (I think next to snap) and there is the new Asian place on the corner of Canal and that is it. I have been actively looking.

Parking is a clusterfrick over there, although luckily Gingerbread isn't open for dinner.

I heard through the LV mafia that the old Landry's might be returning to its pre-Landry's prominence as a Drago's.