Which Ain't Dere No More Place Do You Miss?

[LiveOak]

I was thinking about Katrina restaurant casualties the other day. Specifically, I was thinking about Hong Kong, a Cantonese restaurant on Lakeshore Drive. Hong Kong was a typical dimly lit, paper lantern, little umbrella-in-your drink Chinese restaurant. My parents had been going there since I was an infant, and I eventually picked up the tradition. The food was surprisingly good and the same staff was there that whole time. In the years before Katrina the place had undergone a bit of a transformation as they began to serve steaks and seafood also, but this never affected the quality of their original focus, the Chinese food. The little cramped bar also got a lot of business. I seem to remember fluorescent lighting which would enhance certain items of clothing if you were not careful, so that may have had something to do with it.

The building itself was decidedly shabby, but the main feature was that the entire back wall was a big plate glass window that looked out on the West End canal. The restaurant was right on the canal so you could sit right next to the window and watch the sail boats tool in or out during your entire meal. You could watch the mullet jump out of the water. I don't know of a single place in the city that has that same view. You could also sit in a big circular booth with oversize wicker chairs and get the same view. The entire place exuded atmosphere, and it was one of those places that was a part of my life from the time I could remember.

The building is still there and so is the sign. Wish it was open again. Are there any places like this that you miss?

[justagirl]

Marisol!

[hungryone]

I miss Petit Paris, a tiny lunch spot on Common, opposite the Place St. Charles/Bank One Building (or whatever the hell it's called these days). Madame Angelle cooked one or two things each day, plus a few quiches and simple savory baked goods. IIRC, it was roasted chicken & potatoes on M/W/F, with roasted pork loin on T and roasted turkey on Th. Toss in a simple caesar (okay, it was a bottled creamy caesar dressing, but the croutons were homemade) and her fresh lemonade, and it was quite a bit of bang for your buck.

[wish I never left]

1. Christian's
2. Marisol
3. Chateaubriand

[dragongrrl]

1. La Riviera

2. Little Greek (not Katrina related)

3. House of Lee (ditto)

[bam bam]

Sweet Gals

[Jeeves]

1. Marisol

2. Bruning's (Especally the old building).

3. Algiers Landing (Not Katrina related, but still missed nonetheless).

[edible complex]

I miss Petit Paris, a tiny lunch spot on Common, opposite the Place St. Charles/Bank One Building (or whatever the hell it's called these days). Madame Angelle cooked one or two things each day, plus a few quiches and simple savory baked goods. IIRC, it was roasted chicken & potatoes on M/W/F, with roasted pork loin on T and roasted turkey on Th. Toss in a simple caesar (okay, it was a bottled creamy caesar dressing, but the croutons were homemade) and her fresh lemonade, and it was quite a bit of bang for your buck.

that pork was pristine! the place was always packed. day-um, it was all good.

[Oyster]

Asian Cajun!

Really miss it from days in the Quarter. Almost got used to making the long trek to the Riverbend. The food, the piano, the food...

Yeah...I really miss that one...

Edit to add:
Thanks for bringing back memories of Hong Kong, LO. Loved long meals there on quiet evenings. I would order Chinese, wife would order steak (of course!)...but just a great place for a leisurely dinner. A place that could only endure in NOLA.

[Jerry]

http://travel.webshots.com/album/541847563OEQPUW

Some images of Hong Kong/West End I took shortly after Katrina...