Criollo Restaurant And Lounge Brings Contemporary Louisiana Fare To New Orleans French Quarter May 23

Criollo Restaurant and Lounge, located in the heart of the French Quarter, will make its debut on Wednesday, May 23. The French Quarter restaurant features a menu that highlights the blended flavors and cultures of New Orleans. Led by Chef de Cuisine Joseph Maynard and Executive Chef Randolph Buck, Criollo's dishes are infused with the traditional Creole flavors of French, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean and African with new spices to create dishes in the style it calls Louisiana Fusion.

Criollo, the Spanish word for "Creole" and name chosen for the new restaurant, represents the amalgam of cultures reflected in our cooking and the unique tastes that comprise Louisiana cuisine.

Cuisine
Fashioned with Louisiana and the Gulf South region's abundant bounty of fresh, homegrown products from land and sea, Criollo's ingredient-driven, seasonal menu is designed to offer creative dishes inspired by culinary traditions and an appreciation of today's contemporary tastes.

"Each dish featured at Criollo is inspired from the ingredients we find in our own backyard," says Maynard. "We are blessed to have an incredible assortment of locally grown produce, spices and fresh Gulf seafood right at our fingertips. We challenged ourselves to reinvent traditional items and create unexpected dishes, taking inspiration from a multitude of cultures."

A few signature items include Chilled Gulf Shrimp, Blue Crab and Avocado, served with spicy tomato coulis and herb oil; Trio of Black Bay Oysters, topped with Swiss Chard & Herbsaint, Angel Hair Tetrazzini and Artichoke & Brie; and Grilled Gulf Fish of the Day, served with grilled hearts ofpalm, black bean-avocado salad, charred papaya and topped with creole ma�tred'butter.

In addition to fine cuisine, Criollo Restaurant and Lounge will offer a grand assortment of wines and spirits, including a signature Criollo Cocktail. The one-of-a-kind libation will feature Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum, Agave Nectar, Club Soda, Fresh Lemons and Mint Leaves.

The Chef
Chef de Cuisine Joseph Maynard comes to Criollo Restaurant and Lounge with a diverse background of cooking experience. A Miami native and former New Orleans resident, Maynard began cooking at a young age and earned his culinary degree from the Southeast Institute of Culinary Arts in St. Augustine, Florida. Maynard returned to New Orleans in 2001 to serve as the Windsor Court's Senior Sous Chef, where he perfected the local flavors and cultural influences that delicately blend together in a Creole dish. Chef Maynard worked his way up in the culinary industry from an executive sous chef at several different restaurants including the Delano Hotel and Miami, to the executive chef at Asia de Cuba in the Mondrian Hotel, one of Miami's newest luxury hotels.

Style
The architectural design of Criollo Restaurant and Lounge presents an atmosphere of approachable elegance as warm golden colors; French limestonefloors; and rich, dark wood mixed with the soothing palette of deep purples and light grayish blues. Large circular glass chandeliers and coffered ceiling designs with customized crown molding open up the room. Smaller booths and table seating options offer a trendy, yet comfortable setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The open kitchen area creates an air of excitement as patrons can watch the chefs creating culinary masterpieces while the availability of two private dining areas provides a more intimate experience.

Criollo Restaurant and Lounge is scheduled to open May 23, 2012. Located next to the famous Carousel Bar and Lounge, the restaurant resides inside the Hotel Monteleone. Criollo is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner and can be made by calling 504-681-44