Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published December , 2005 Click here for the current edition Arnaud's Open Arnaud's will be the first of the four classic French Quarter grand restaurants to return to business when it opens for dinner tonight, December 1. The building had a bit of roof damage, resulting in some water leakage (but not flooding) into some of the rooms. But all that's been cleaned up and they're just doing some cosmetic work now--including the installation of new flags above the wrought-iron entrance. They say that much of the old staff will return, and that they full menu will be available from opening day. That's the first time I've heard that from anybody. They're conducting a trial run by opening Remoulade at five last Friday. That's Arnaud's semi-attached casual restaurant on Bourbon Street. It's a swell, if touristy place, with tiled floors, an oyster bar (with oysters, something we have to note these days), and a menu that ranges from poor boys to oysters Bienville, with the restaurant's great soups and shrimp remoulade (of course) also available. Owner Archie Casbarian notes that Arnaud's has never missed a holiday season since the restaurant opened in 1918, and it won't this year, either. © 2005 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com