Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published March 20, 2008 Riche Ended Sunday, March 16 Ruth's Chris Downtown Opening Confirmed The Ruth's Chris Steakhouse corporate office and the management of Harrah's hotel properties has confirmed what we reported here two weeks ago--that Ruth's will shortly open in the Harrah's hotel on Poydras at Fulton Streets. The steakhouse will take over the first-floor space that was originally built as Riche. The last day of service at Riche was this past Sunday. A few weeks of rebuilding will follow before the place reopens as Ruth's Chris's return to Orleans Parish for the first time since the hurricane. In addition, the steakhouse put an end to speculation about the future of the Broad Street Ruth's Chris. The company is donating the building and the land to the City of New Orleans. Until the storm, it was the flagship of the 100-plus unit chain, founded in New Orleans in the 1940s. Two years ago, Ruth's Chris CEO Craig Miller left little doubt in my mind that they never intended to return to Broad at Orleans, no matter how holy a place that may be for New Orleans diners. The city hasn't said what it plans to do with the property, but we can't wait to learn. This also brings to an end an uncomfortable experiment. Riche originally was an outpost of Todd English's restaurant empire. He's the Emeril of Boston, with over twenty restaurants around the country. (His Boston restaurant Olives is unambiguously excellent.) English was the first name chef headquartered out of town to attempt opening here. Riche did not do well. There's not much room here for phone-it-in chefs, as there is in most other American cities. This is not Las Vegas. We know how to cook here. © 2008 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com