NEW ORLEANS – The old-line Tusa restaurant family announces the opening of New Orleans Creole Cookery located in one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter just off Decatur Street at 510 Toulouse St.
Promising a spark of new-generation energy coupled with historic cooking traditions in an innovative setting, A.J. Tusa, whose father opened the original Messina’s on the corner of Chartres and Iberville Streets in 1945, envisioned the concept of New Orleans Creole Cookery. Tusa said with his entire family in the restaurant and catering business, creating wonderful dining experiences has been something he’s been doing his entire life in New Orleans and all across the Gulf Coast.
Tusa, and his wife, Anna, who boasts a degree in restaurant management and is a public advocate for the National Restaurant Association, said together they have created the next generation of classic New Orleans dining.
"Creole cooking is something our visitors don't always hear too much about," said A.J. Tusa. "Even some locals are confused about the difference between Creole and Cajun cooking. We want to make sure this incredible legacy lives on – and present it in an environment that has appeal for today's patrons. We can't wait to welcome everyone in!"
On the menu? Time-honored tastes of authentic Creole cooking, including Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Etouffee, grilled and raw oysters, a chilled seafood tower, boiled seafood, crisp salads and filet mignons.
The Tusas say their classic dishes will be presented in a choice of settings including an oyster bar, an outdoor courtyard and the “Toulouse Lautrec,” a white tablecloth, fine-dining space with traditional attention to detail and service.
The bar will feature a full menu and handcrafted cocktails including the “Streetcar,” “Catahoula,” and “Toulouse Dark Side,” along with “The Ghost Trilogy,” three shots so named in honor of the building’s 3 resident ghosts.
The New Orleans Creole Cookery is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
