From High Waters to High Cuisine: The Resurgence of New Orleans Restaurants

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

When Hurricane Katrina roared through Lousiana, the flood waters rose in New Orleans, costing lives and livelihoods. Lost in the devastation were some of the city's biggest tourist attractions and beloved restaurants. Four years after Katrina, we check in with a few of the city's institutions: famed fried chicken purveyor Willie Mae's Scotch House and classic New Orleans restaurant Commander's Palace. Both were closed for months after the hurricane, but with hard work and perseverance their doors have re-opened. We talk to Kerry Seaton, granddaughter of Willie Mae, who now runs the Scotch House, and Tory McPhail, the chef at Commander's Palace, about their experiences in rebuilding. We also have Tom Fitzmorris, a lifelong New Orleans resident and food critic who has made a new hobby of counting the restaurants in the Crescent City.

The resurrection of Willie Mae's Scotch House was a work of love for those involved and it was captured in a documentary produced by the Southern Foodways Alliance called Above the Line: Saving Willie Mae's Scotch House. Watch it below:

Saving Willie Mae's Scotch House from Joe York on Vimeo.

Guests:

Tom Fitzmorris, Tory McPhail and Kerry Seaton

Contributors:

Melissa Locker

Comments [4]

Really

Tom Fitzmorris doesn't live any where near New Orleans. He's been living on the Northshore for some time now.

Sep. 02 2009 05:22 PM
bk foodie

Thank you so much for letting us know these places are up and running. But no recipe for the chicken?

Sep. 02 2009 11:08 AM
Kevin

YUMMM!!! Now I need to go to New Orleans and go eat! Thanks for a fun story.

Sep. 02 2009 11:07 AM
eater

Willie Mae's Scotch House is a national treasure! So glad it's back.

Sep. 02 2009 11:03 AM

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