Common fact: New Orleans isn’t always the most veggie-friendly city. Think about all those classic dishes that put NOLA on the map: gumbo, muffulettas, and cochon de lait poboys. Great food, not the most health-happy.
However, this direction has shifted in recent years, with spots like Bearcat Cafe, Sneaky Pickle, and The Daily Beet. The Bower is a new concept that’s buying into the vegetable-conscious expansion of New Orlean’s food scene. Read on for the delicious deets.
The Bower is a project from Candace & Mark Latter, founders of the wine bar Claret, Bar Frances, and Tujague’s Restaurant. Both Claret and the Bower will be housed in Framework, which is a mixed-retail development that has progressed steadily for the last year. Currently, the development houses a fitness studio called MVMT, a spacious Satsuma Cafe, and a boutique pool club by Krewe. Likewise, the Bower fits in with these trendy, upscale vibes.
Overall, the Latters plan to offer a vegetable-heavy menu, though the restaurant is holding back from going full vegetarian. Early looks from Ian McNulty report a whole branzino, Louisiana Wagyu, and red snapper Crudo as just a few of those animal-based proteins. Still, plant food will be a focus at the Bower. Mike Latter told McNulty:
“I think it’s rare to go to an upscale restaurant and find 10 options that are healthier, but that will be the norm here.”
- Mike Latter, Owner the Bower
The meatless offerings are mouth-watering from the description alone; guests should look out for charred rapini with blueberries, sunchokes & poached eggs, or stuffed artichoke in a parmesan broth. The Bower will be sourcing produce from Sugar Roots, an Algiers farm that is growing upwards of 60 different vegetables for the eatery. Are you hungry yet?
The ambiance at The Bower
Chef Marcus Woodman will be helming the kitchen of The Bower. The lush dining room, adorned with a floating garden trellis, will have 68 seats, and a few high tops. Some of these will offer diners a peek into the working kitchen. Set to open in March, the restaurant will begin with dinner service, followed by brunch once operations settle in. The Bower joins a host of other restaurants bringing new blood to the LGD, including Thalia and Blue Giant.
The Bower // 1320 Magazine St.
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