The Rum House

[Blue Cross Sux]

This is a new venture, not yet open, located in the space formerly occupied by Rue De La Course and Puccino's on Magazine and Ninth. I spoke to the owners a few months ago. Both guys were 30-something types from Baton Rouge. Seemed nice but were green as the greenest grass. They plan to model the place after some Jamaican jerk joint type of spot with an island motif and laid back vibe. OK.

They also believe they're going to get a liquor license. Mighty tall order, there, considering the Magazine Street Association has been pretty fascist about allowing new licenses, and the previous business operations preclude them from pursuing a grandfathering clause.

I don't know about all this. The island/Hispanic cuisine thing is already covered by Nacho Mama's and Baru, both a handful of blocks away. The wrap thing is covered by Gott Gourmet just up the street. I don't know how viable this is going to be. And if they can't secure that liquor license, it's going to be a really tough slog, indeed. The Rum House with no rum. Hmm.

[justagirl]

I can't see them securing a liquor license. The place that was in there before was trying to get either liquor or video poker (or maybe both) and the neighborhood association wouldn't let that happen. I don't see it happening now. From what I understood from the meetings, the rent was so damn high the previous tennants were trying to get video poker to help pay for it.

High rent, non-original idea, tough economic times...all I'll say is good luck.

[edible complex]

until then.....if you want to get your jerk on, go to Boswell's or Coco Hut. Boswell's has great goat curry and silly rum drinks too.

[Turbodog]

The Rum House with no Rum. Wow, that would really be bad. What would be the appeal.

Kinda like a brew pub with no brew.

Kind of like a cat house with no.......cats.

[tejas.nola.cana]

It sounds interesting to me...I like the idea of a carribean taqueria....tacos with a trendy "reggae/jerk" edge. Though its not true Mexican food this area seems short of good taco places. Taqueria Corona is ok but it is too small and they don't even have frozen margaritas. Nacho Mamma's has decent atmosphere with the Bulldog overflow but the food is less than desired...same as Superior- great atmosphere but the food is just a step above Poncho's. Baru has good food but it's more tapas and is kind of expensive (with no alcohol- unless they recently received their license). If these guys get their liquor license and their food is good...the location is perfect. I hope they have some good rum.

[buzd]

It sounds interesting to me...I like the idea of a carribean taqueria....tacos with a trendy "reggae/jerk" edge. Though its not true Mexican food this area seems short of good taco places. Taqueria Corona is ok but it is too small and they don't even have frozen margaritas. Nacho Mamma's has decent atmosphere with the Bulldog overflow but the food is less than desired...same as Superior- great atmosphere but the food is just a step above Poncho's. Baru has good food but it's more tapas and is kind of expensive (with no alcohol- unless they recently received their license). If these guys get their liquor license and their food is good...the location is perfect. I hope they have some good rum.

I agree with you on most of your points (except the value of frozen margaritas). However, the taco trucks and Tacqueria Sanchez installations serve up some very good tacoes (sic).

[Jesse]

I agree with you on most of your points (except the value of frozen margaritas).

Agreed! Rocks only!

[Lucie]

The Magazine St. liquor licsense moratorium, from what I read in the paper, expired in about October. give or take a month. They did have the big liquor application posters in the window for 2 weeks so they might already have a liquor lic. The huge shed, next to the home furnishings store "Perch", ( which is really cool), received a liq. lic. contingent on closing early, midnight ? ish ( the city doesn't want another late night bar on that stretch) . The developer moved all his restaurant equipment out shortly after. I guess he really did want a late night bar, or maybe his biz plan didn't add up enough. Anyway, the Rum House might have a liq. lic. already. The landlord wanted 10K a month, he might have gone down because the place was vacant for over a year and those guys are doing a lot of work on his building. i think 10k a month for that spot is kinda greedy, but if you can get it ...