La Petite Grocery: linen tablecloths and burgers go hand in hand at this elegant casual eatery in New Orleans.
I’d really been looking forward to writing up this meal. On a few visits to New Orleans, I had intended to eat at La Petite Grocery and missed out, not so last time. Actually, it was a bit of an all-star lunch table, as I was dining with my tres incredible BFF Gala, Ms NOLA Food Goddess Lorin, and Mr Bob from Orleans Coffee Exchange. Top Chef alum (and head chef of the restaurant) Justin Deviller even popped out from the kitchen to day hello. Yeah, it’s certainly a food centric town, and I felt a little bit like royalty!
LPG takes it name from the original business established on the same site in the late 1800s, a grocery store specialising in tea, coffee and butter. I adore that they have taken the time to research and honor the building and it’s previous inhabitants, and you can read more about the history of the site here.
Chef Justin brings traditional comfort and Louisiana foods together with exceptional local and seasonal produce, and then elevates the dishes to a refined and sophisticated level. Approachable but exceptional, served in a gorgeous dining room with luxurious details.
La Petite Grocery nestles itself in perfectly between the casual eateries of the city, and the full blown formal dining rooms, filling an important niche.
If you dine at LPG (and I highly recommend you do), you have to try the shrimp & grits with shiitake mushrooms, smoked bacon & thyme, and then tell me how it was. I’m gunna try it next time I go.
