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Started By
Message
Palace Cafe closing
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:45 pm
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:45 pm
Pretty Shocked to hear that news
This post was edited on 7/7/25 at 1:45 pm
7
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:56 pm to The Pickwick
Why?
NOLA has an article up that is supposed to detail why but it's behind a paywall.
NOLA has an article up that is supposed to detail why but it's behind a paywall.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:56 pm to The Pickwick
quote:
Pretty Shocked to hear that news
why? It sucked and if you ate there, it was because it has pretty lights and it was just outside your hotel.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:57 pm to The Pickwick
quote:
The move comes as Palace Cafe nears the end of a 35-year lease. A purchase agreement was included in that lease, and the restaurant’s operators were working toward a deal to purchase the property from its owners, Philip Werlein Ltd., a company from members of the Werlein family.
A dispute on the fair market value brought both sides into Civil District Court. It centered on the value of improvements made to the property by the restaurant group, and whether these should be included in the purchase price. In June, Judge Ellen Hazeur ruled in favor of the Werlein family, court records show. That ruling is being appealed.
In the meantime, Steve Pettus, managing partner of Dickie Brennan & Co., said it was no longer "fiscally responsible" to continue to operate the restaurant. The disparity between the assessed values for the property is too great to purchase it, and terms offered for a new lease to continue operating were five time higher than the previous lease, Pettus said.
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/eat-drink/brennan-restaurant-palace-cafe-closed-in-nola-after-34-years/article_002d80fc-6041-4ed3-8e20-afc0e25afff3.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawLY9qBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFmZlhubnRTczVGZGd6dzBRAR5QVq1mqLWEcXGRvrTERm3PhUVRvFkHoawx5d1EM8DzHqRp6rZsGWWRF_HXeQ_aem_W9dnm1WuZHEQYEdpIghnbw
quote:
Restaurant staff learned the news Monday. About half of the restaurants’ 60-person staff are being offered positions at other restaurants in the group, which includes numerous large properties; others are being offered severance terms, according to the company.
quote:
A major restaurant that once signaled a new generation for New Orleans Creole cuisine has closed after 34 years.
Palace Café, the first restaurant from the Dickie Brennan & Co. restaurant group, served its last meal on Sunday, at least for the foreseeable future.
It’s an abrupt closure for a restaurant that has been a prominent presence on Canal Street and within the New Orleans restaurant scene since 1991.
The restaurant, at 605 Canal St., covers three floors in the historic former Werlein’s music store with dining rooms and banquet rooms done in the style of a classic brasserie.
This post was edited on 7/7/25 at 1:59 pm
Posted on 7/7/25 at 1:59 pm to The Pickwick
Used to love that place but even 10-15 years ago you could tell it was slipping as the clientele visited changed
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:03 pm to The Pickwick
After reading the summary of the reasons for this, I would be surprised if the two parties don't work this out. Either that or the buildings owners may somehow find a new tenant.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:14 pm to StringMusic
quote:
Either that or the buildings owners may somehow find a new tenant.
Something about a gift horse in the mouth comes to mind.
It's difficult to fathom who might possibly be a better viable tenant.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:20 pm to StringMusic
quote:
I would be surprised if the two parties don't work this out.
Brennan is trying to get a better negotiating position.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:22 pm to Motorboat
quote:
why? It sucked and if you ate there, it was because it has pretty lights and it was just outside your hotel.
Yes, the place drew tourists, but the restaurant was much more than that. It had the Brennan reputation and there was always energy inside, especially during Jazz Brunch. It's not a place I would go on my own for any particular dish, but I've entertained others from out of town multiple times and it's always been a hit and the food never missed. I love the interior with the spiral staircase and balcony seating.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:29 pm to Shexter
Interesting backstory. Never went to the place so I don’t know if it is a loss or not. But it is another example of a landlord playing hardball and losing a commercial client. Is the old Tujaque’s space still vacant?
Posted on 7/7/25 at 2:38 pm to Shexter
Love the crabmeat cheesecake.
Damn. That place was VERY convenient for Saenger shows. Could walk or ride down there. eat, and come back to Saenger.
Entrees could have been better but not bad. Bananas foster and Creme Brûlée were pretty good.
Damn. That place was VERY convenient for Saenger shows. Could walk or ride down there. eat, and come back to Saenger.
Entrees could have been better but not bad. Bananas foster and Creme Brûlée were pretty good.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 3:09 pm to prplhze2000
Was a solid go to for me. Have enjoyed many fine evenings. Terrible news.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 3:09 pm to Y.A. Tittle
Problem is the trial court ruled for Werlien. And they want apparently 5 times what the current rent is.
Brennans appealed but I don't see a higher court overturning the trial court .
Brennans appealed but I don't see a higher court overturning the trial court .
Posted on 7/7/25 at 3:40 pm to prplhze2000
quote:
Problem is the trial court ruled for Werlien. And they want apparently 5 times what the current rent is.
I understand the technical legality.
I'm not sure the Werlien family understands the real estate market for a building like that on Canal Street in New Orleans. Hence my gift horse point.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 4:11 pm to Shexter
quote:
Brennan is trying to get a better negotiating position.
I’m willing to bet the Werlein’s never believed in a million years Dickie would walk away from his first restaurant. Hopefully they can work something out because the last thing we need is another Willie’s Chicken Shack.
Not sure if it’s changed since they started expanding, but at some point Dickie Brennan & Co had all their corporate functions on the upper floors of the building too.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 4:19 pm to Y.A. Tittle
The Werlein is being very shortsighted here.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 4:51 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
The Werlein is being very shortsighted here.
It sure looks that way.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 4:56 pm to chillygentilly
quote:
the last thing we need is another Willie’s Chicken Shack.
Three level T-shirt shop incoming
Posted on 7/7/25 at 6:20 pm to Motorboat
quote:
why? It sucked and if you ate there, it was because it has pretty lights and it was just outside your hotel.
A dickie Brennan restaurant. Was always good when I went.
Posted on 7/7/25 at 8:48 pm to Motorboat
quote:
why? It sucked and if you ate there, it was because it has pretty lights and it was just outside your hotel.
Damn. This dude is such a badass lol
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