New Orleans, (WGNO) — Antoine’s – an icon and standard bearer for traditional French Creole cuisine in America – will host its official 175th anniversary celebration in New Orleans Monday, September 28-Sunday, October 4, with a variety of special menus, an historical dinner with an acclaimed visiting chef, a free public block party, a fundraising gala for a local historical institution and a private family reunion. All will occur at the historic French Quarter restaurant that has stood since founded in 1840.
“We are honored to be commemorating this monumental anniversary in the city that welcomed my great-great grandfather 175 years ago,” said Antoine’s fifth-generation CEO and Proprietor Rick Blount. “This grand finale is more than a celebration for Antoine’s – it is a celebration for the city of New Orleans – and we want to make this major milestone something that embodies the spirit of our city and its people because there is nothing else in this world like either.”
To kick off the week of activities, Chef Billy Oliva of the historic Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York – one of the oldest restaurants in the country – will travel to New Orleans and hold a residence in the kitchen with Antoine’s Executive Chef Mike Regua. The two will offer a special features menu available at lunch and dinner throughout the week of signature dishes from both grande dame restaurants. This special menu celebrates the continued partnership between both legendary restaurants and will be available only during the anniversary week.
“I’m honored to visit New Orleans for Antoine’s 175th anniversary, especially in the same year that commemorates 10 years since Hurricane Katrina. As the executive chef of the first restaurant in America, I’m familiar with how much of an impact a cornerstone like Antoine’s or Delmonico’s can have on their native city in good times and in bad,” said Executive Chef Billy Oliva of Delmonico’s. “I met the Antoine’s team happenstance on a trip to New Orleans just last year and their warmth and commitment to hospitality truly touched me, and I knew right away that we had to do something collaborative between our two iconic restaurants. We had a blast when Chef Mike and the Antoine’s team came up to New York earlier this year, and I’ve been counting down the days until we get to travel down to New Orleans to infuse a little bit of the Big Apple into the Big Easy. I know it will be an absolute blast, and I can’t wait to toast them to another 175 years!”
On Wednesday, September 30, chefs Oliva and Regua will host a special dinner as part of the “Antoine’s Historical Dinner Series” the restaurant launched in August. Oliva and Regua will present a collaborative menu featuring six courses of Antoine’s and Delmonico’s classics, each paired with wines. The full menu will be unveiled at a 10 a.m. event at the restaurant on Monday, September 28, and, once announced, will be posted online here: http://www.antoines.com/historical-dinner-series-at.html
To open the celebration to a larger audience of the general public, Antoine’s will host a special 175th anniversary block party in the 700 block of St. Louis Street in the French Quarter on Friday, October 2 from 5-7 p.m. The street will be closed outside of the restaurant between Royal and Bourbon streets, and a New Orleans brass band will play from the restaurant’s balcony throughout the party, with an official champagne toast by CEO Rick Blount to officially mark the occasion. Attendees will celebrate in style with complimentary champagne for the official toast and $1.75 cocktail specials provided by Glazer’s Spirits.
Whitney Bank, a title sponsor of the anniversary week will commemorate its long-standing banking partnership with Antoine’s – the oldest restaurant and oldest business in New Orleans – and will provide signature commemorative go-cups to all patrons who attend, while supplies last.
On Saturday, October 3, Antoine’s will host a major fundraising gala – a Prohibition-era themed cocktail party – with proceeds to benefit The Historic New Orleans Collection. The event, which will not be dry – will feature live music by Giselle Monafaire and the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, faux gambling in the Japanese Room, signature cocktails by Sazerac, a Tabasco raw seafood bar and access to the Mystery Dining Room, the restaurant’s famous prohibition era speakeasy that had a secret entrance through the women’s restroom. Tickets are $150 per person and are inclusive of all food and drink. Tickets are available at: http://bit.ly/AntoinesProhibitionParty
“Congratulations to Antoine’s restaurant for 175 years of outstanding service and commitment to the New Orleans community. Our organization is honored to share a legacy of partnership that
has lasted for generations,” said Gary Lorio, Whitney Bank, Senior Regional President. “We look forward to celebrating this unique milestone and many more in the future.”
Another of the event’s sponsors, Tabasco from New Iberia, La., also has a long-standing relationship and partnership with Antoine’s that dates back well over 100 years.
“Our family businesses have had a strong relationship for well over a century, and our brands go hand in hand as Antoine’s uses Tabasco products in their recipes and the restaurant even has a Tabasco red dining room named after our company,” says Tabasco CEO, Tony Simmons, “It’s an honor and a privilege to help make the official 175th Antoine’s birthday event a reality through our sponsorship, and we look forward to marking this milestone with much joyous celebration.”
“New Orleans is truly a culinary travel destination and throughout the years Antoine’s has become synonymous with delivering what most consider the quintessential New Orleans dining experience. This celebration is about bringing that experience to even more people, including those who might be just passing by or visiting from out of town,” says Blount.
“But we certainly hope the locals will turn out to support us to – that’s why we’re here.”
To conclude the anniversary week, Antoine’s will host a private multi-generational family reunion on Sunday, October 4. All living members of the Alciatore family available to attend will gather to toast and pay tribute to Antoine’s 175th anniversary and his continued family legacy. The employees will celebrate with the family as well, Blount says, “because the Antoine’s family wouldn’t be complete without our incredible staff.”
Blount says they are expecting 250 people to attend the family reunion.
About Delmonico’s
Founded in 1837, Delmonico’s is Wall Street’s premier fine dining restaurant. The restaurant is the birthplace of Eggs Benedict and specializes in Delmonico Steak. It is located at 56 Beaver Street in New York’s financial district. For more information visit www.delmonicosrestaurantgroup.com, or to book a reservation call 212.509.1144. For media inquiries about Delmonico’s, please contact KB Network News at 212-929-3455.
About Antoine’s
Antoine’s, a traditional French Creole fine dining establishment since 1840, is located at 713 St. Louis Street in the historic New Orleans French Quarter. For more information, visit our website at www.antoines.com, like us on Facebook here, or make a reservation by calling 504-581-4422.
