Food News
by Sara RoahenMidnight Express (1212 Royal St., 587-7975) has been dark since part-owner Ruveyda Aydin shut it down a few weeks ago. She's hopeful that the Turkish restaurant will open elsewhere in the future, but for now her mother and sister, who formed the backbone of the family business, have returned to Turkey. "My mother has a husband back there, you know," Aydin says with a laugh. All is not lost for the quiet French Quarter space, as the owners of Bennachin (133 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1313) are moving in soon. Even Aydin, who also runs Mona Lisa Restaurant next door with her brother, is looking forward to some West African food in the neighborhood. When I first called about Midnight Express as a disappointed customer, the man who answered the phone recommended a new Turkish restaurant in the French Quarter, Portofino (1140 Decatur St., 522-0406), opened by restaurateur Kursat Saatci, who used to own Mystic Cafe (3244 Magazine St., 895-7272).
Bearded Ones
They can't get enough of New Orleans
chefs at the James Beard House in New York City. Last week, I reported
on Victor's (Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St, 524-1331) Chef Frank
Brunacci's successful meal there in August; this week I learned about Rene
Bajeaux's invitation to cook at the house on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Bajeaux,
of Rene Bistrot (817 Common St., 412-2580), is stepping out of his traditional
French mode to prepare dishes like alligator brochette sauce piquante and house-smoked
bourbon-cured salmon with Louisiana crabmeat salad. James Beard, who died in
1985, is recognized as the father of American gastronomy.
Season's Greetings
It's A Season of Good Tastes again,
which means that WYES-TV/Channel 12 has scheduled several wine dinners
to be held between now and Dec. 11. Participating restaurants include Alex
Patout's, The City Club, Chateaubriand, Belle Forche,
Lafitte's Landing at Bittersweet Plantation, Ruth's Chris Steak House,
Louis XVI Restaurant Francais, Rene Bistrot, Cafe Giovanni,
Galatoire's, Indigo, Bourbon House and The Bistro at
Maison de Ville. For reservations or information call 587-9427 or log on
at www.wyes.org.
Market
Watch
Chef Hosie Bourgeois of The French Table (3216 W. Esplanade
Ave., Metairie, 833-8108) will conduct a cooking demonstration at 11 a.m. at
Tuesday's Crescent City Farmers Market; look for Kurtis Jantz
of Chateau Sonesta (800 Iberville St., 586-0800) at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The Tuesday market is at 200 Broadway St. and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The
Saturday market is at 700 Magazine St. and runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 861-5898
or visit www.loyola.edu/ccfm.
