Isaac Toups to open new large, upscale restaurant downtown. Armada

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The new restaurant is called Armada and it is planned for downtown New Orleans at 231 Carondelet St. It will be in the ground floor of what started in the 1920s as the Cotton Exchange Building, long ago converted to a hotel.

Armada is slated to open late in the year, perhaps in November.

The menu will be a blend of Spanish and French cuisine, and the setting will be lux. It’s sizing up to a significant addition to the changing downtown dining scene.

Under a high ceiling Armada will have some 7,500 square and seating for 175 between the dining room, banquette booths, a private dining room and a big bar up front. There will be an open kitchen with a view to a rotisserie, one of the many items on the chef’s culinary wish list being built into the Armada concept.

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For the menu, Isaac Toups is working closely with Shalika Sprowal, who will be Armada’s chef du cuisine. She is now executive chef for Toups Family Meal, the nonprofit community meal program the Toups created.

The chefs say they’re excited for what Armada can bring to the table, exploring both Spanish and French traditions. It will be distinct from the Louisiana and Cajun flavors at Toups’ Meatery.

“This is Isaac takes on Europe,” said Isaac Toups. “The Meatery has its own identity well set by now. This will be more refined.”

Making the menu

Still, expect plenty of meat.

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