After being closed the past six months, it’s great to hear that 17-year-old ~TOWN HALL~ (since 2003!) has dusted off the pass and is back in action. Chef-owner Mitchell Rosenthal was interviewed by Eater about all the changes happening at the collection of restaurants he operates with his brother, Steven (Salt House—closed; Anchor & Hope—maybe returning as a beer hall; and Jersey—which I reported is temporarily closed), and Town Hall, which has reopened and is returning to its deep New Orleans roots with a new menu that has dishes that pay homage to chef Paul Prudhomme’s famed K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (he was a mentor to Mitchell), as well as offering weekend brunch (Fri-Sun) for the first time. While the long bar at Town Hall was always the spot to be, now it’s all about their patio and plaza, with plenty of room for distanced seating and heaters.
Take a look at the dinner and brunch menus, with Town Hall favorites like their Benton’s Tennessee country ham served with buttermilk biscuits and red pepper jelly, and their buttermilk fried chicken, plus K-Paul dishes like Cajun popcorn shrimp (arugula, green beans, peanuts, ham, harissa benne vinaigrette), shrimp and crawfish gumbo (okra, scallions, Carolina gold rice), BBQ Gulf shrimp (Worcestershire sauce, garlic herb toast), and blackened rib-eye (brown butter garlic sauce, French fries). Plus oysters on the half shell, because I know how we all miss those. Brunch has a Hangtown fry, eggs Benedict, and more. Bring on the Sazeracs—they really look forward to seeing their regulars! And parking is easy down there for a change. Takeout and delivery are also available. Dinner: Wed-Sun 5pm-9pm, brunch: Fri-Sun 10:30am-2:30pm. 342 Howard St. at Fremont.
Do you follow @tablehopper on Instagram? It’s where I post a bunch of reopenings in my Stories, but I want to make sure you knew that BOULEVARD has reopened with a full-service patio (make reservations and read the terms and peek at the menus here); the soft-shell crab BLT awaits. Lunch: Sat-Sun 11:30am-2pm, dinner Wed-Sun 4pm-8:30pm. Takeout is also available. 1 Mission St. at Steuart.
Lower Polk’s KUMA SUSHI is back open for takeout and delivery Thu-Sun. Ryo and Cory have put a lot of thought into their offering (and decision to reopen)—they swapped out their nigiri selection with their own take on chirashi, which will travel further and maintain quality longer than nigiri, and they are also offering some maki that holds up. They’ll be updating their great list of sake regularly, available by the bottle or a take-out “carafe.” The next soft-open run is this Thursday 9/17 through Sunday 9/20, 5pm-9pm. I love this place, be sure to read the personal note on their site. 1040 Polk St. at Post.
Buttermilk biscuits and country gravy for brunch at Town Hall. Photo courtesy of Town Hall Restaurant.
