Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published May 26, 2006 Click here for the current edition Brennan's Will Reopen June 8 Yesterday I learned that Brennan's on Royal Street, whose reopening has been deleayed so long that regular customers were becoming worried, will finally reopen its doors for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, June 8. What delayed the opening was deep demolition and rebuilding. It had to be done because a tremendous quantity of food in freezers and refrigerators on the upper floors melted and penetrated into the spaces between floors and into walls. To resolve this, the Brennans performed a renovation even more extensive than the one they did after the bad fire of 1974. It has been frustrating for all involved, apparently. Clark and Blake Brennan, who had become heavily involved in their father's and uncles' restaurant, have left the operation, apparently after a dispute about the plans for the restaurant. On the other hand, if owners Ted, Pip, and Jimmy Brennan were holding back for any reason, it wouldn't make sense for them to open at the beginning of the slow summer season. So who knows? This we do know: as much of the former staff as any restaurant has been able to gather together will be back, including Chef Lazone Randolph, who took over the kitchen after the 2005 death of long-time chef Mike Roussel. I'm just happy that we're only a couple of weeks away from the best turtle soup in town and the definitive brunch. And hope that the stresses of the storm can be resolved. © 2006 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com