Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published July 2, 2007 Longbranch Closes In Abita Springs A few weeks ago, I got a message from Allison Vines-Rushing telling me that the excellent Longbranch restaurant that she and her husband Slade operate in Abita Springs would reopen after a two-week holiday on June 13, and that they'd like to host an Eat Club dinner for us. Sounded good. What actually happened on June 13, however, was that they decided not to reopen for regular service. The phone message you get when you call says that they're not currently open except for private parties. Since the the centurty-old resort became a restaurant in the 1990s, it has been marked by unusually good food and unusually lackluster volume. The clear explanation is that Abita Springs (where I live, so I speak with some authority here) is too sleepy a town for a seriously upscale, adventuresome restaurant. Maybe what's needed here is a much less sophisticated (which is not to say less good) restaurant. There are just not enough hip diners on the North Shore for a place like this, especially in that corner of St. Tammany. What would fill the place is a basic Creole operation. A Clancy's, for example. Or a really good seafood house. Still, I hope they try again after the summer doldrums. © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com