Beloved New Orleans Coffee Brand Congregation Coffee Roasters Set to Reopen Under New Ownership
Congregation Coffee Roasters, a beloved coffee brand in New Orleans, is about to make a comeback under new ownership. Patrick Brennan, a member of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, has recently acquired the company from founder Eliot Guthrie and plans to reopen both the Algiers Point coffee shop and the wholesale roastery next month. In addition to reviving the original locations, Brennan has exciting plans to expand Congregation with more coffee shops throughout the city. To enhance the coffeehouse’s offerings, he will also add pastries from the renowned Ralph Brennan Bakery.
The decision to revive Congregation comes after Guthrie made the difficult choice to cease operations in May 2023. Despite eight years of national acclaim, Guthrie felt that it was time for him to move on from the coffee brand. Recognizing this as an opportunity to make a change, Brennan, who had been with the family company for 10 years, decided to step away and concentrate on growing Congregation.
Meanwhile, in another part of New Orleans, the Parkview Tavern, a 30-year-old Mid-City dive bar, will sadly shut down in April 2024. The tavern’s managing partner, Kathy Anderson, revealed that this closure was a result of neighboring business Blue Oak BBQ purchasing the property and offering unfavorable lease terms. Anderson expressed her disappointment, stating that the lease terms would have increased their base rent by 250 percent and included additional expenses. This turn of events has sparked discussions on social media and raised hopes of finding a new location for Parkview Tavern.
On a more positive note, New Orleans native Peterson Harter, who gained national acclaim for his muffuletta pop-up-turned-restaurant in San Francisco, is returning to his hometown for a special event. Harter will bring his popular West Coast sensation, Sandy’s Muffulettas, to Turkey and the Wolf next week. Known for his non-conventional take on the traditional muffuletta, Harter’s creations, including a meat version with slightly spicy olive salad and a vegetarian option with roasted mushrooms and scallions, will be available for purchase.
Furthermore, an exciting omakase pop-up called KENJI Omakase is set to take place at the International House Hotel starting November 2. Created by acclaimed chef Matthew Nguyen in collaboration with Patrick Bouaphanh from Chicago’s Jinsei Motto, this pop-up will offer a 15-course menu for its first weekend, with subsequent weekends featuring a 17-course menu. Reservations for KENJI Omakase can be made via OpenTable.
In other news, Gautreau’s, the iconic Uptown fine-dining restaurant, is finally reopening on November 7 after a temporary closure due to a change in ownership. The restaurant, now owned by Bill Kearney and Jay Adams, has appointed a new chef, Rob Mistry, to lead the team following the departure of executive chef Nick Fry. Mistry brings valuable experience from his time at Commander’s Palace, Husk Restaurant, and Alinea in Chicago.
As these developments unfold in New Orleans, coffee enthusiasts eagerly await the reopening of Congregation Coffee Roasters, while the fate of Parkview Tavern and the exciting culinary events continue to captivate the local community.
