Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published December 8, 2005 Click here for the current edition Ten Most Eagerly Awaited Restaurant Reopenings Usually, the lists in this department emerge from my own opinions and tastes. This one, however, is based on my mail and calls from readers and radio listeners. Certain restaurants come up over and over again, giving the impression that they are essential to the mental health of the city's avid diners. Here are the restaurants I'm asked about most often, along with what I know about their plans. Most interesting: an out-of-proportion interest in steakhouses, especially the older ones. 1. Galatoire's. Walk-in coolers needed to be replaced. Will reopen right after the first of the year. The Baton Rouge location opened late November. 2. Commander's Palace. Heavy damage to roof and walls throughout the restaurant, requiring much rebuilding. March or April. 3. Mandina's. Deep flooding requires total gutting, but the building will survive. No word as to when the Canal Street favorite will reopen. Mandina's of Baton Rouge open now. 4. Crescent City Steak House. The Vojkovich family tells me that they will certainly reopen, but that the water was so deep that all equipment and furnishings were destroyed. They can't tell yet about the building. No set date for reopening. 5. Camellia Grill. I have not been able to reach anyone there, but they've have their pink Health Department card for some time. 6. Pascal's Manale. The mold remediation is finished. A foot and a half of water requires much renovation. No set date for reopening. 7. Antoine's. The oldest building in the complex is in extremely bad shape, but the Annex (the big red room in the back) is in pretty good shape, as is the kitchen. They may open for Christmas Eve, but no promises. They're taking reservations for February. 8. Charlie's Steak House. Dottye Bennett, the owner, communicated to me that they will reopen, but not date set. 9. Ruth's Chris on Broad Street. The CEO says that the condition of the building and other issues have not been determined. He is unwilling to say whether the flagship Ruth's Chris will reopen on Broad Street, but says that there will be an Orleans Parish location somewhere. 10. Jacques-Imo's. The plan is to reopen either at the end of December or the beginning of January. © 2005 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com