LRA GNO Chapter hosts 28th Annual Golf Tournament Oct. 18

The most anticipated Greater New Orleans (GNO) area golf tournament will take place at Stonebridge Golf Club in Gretna on Thursday, October 18, 2012. Only 220 golfers have the chance to tee off for a great cause—the Louisiana Restaurant Association GNO Chapter’s goal to the LRA Education Foundation, which administers ProStart, a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management program taught in more than 45 high schools statewide.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The cost for a foursome is $800 and scoring is based on a four-person scramble format. All golfers will receive a gift certificate to the onsite Nike store, which will be open from 8-10 a.m.

“This is the LRA GNO Chapter’s premier event and time after time we hear from past attendees that it’s the best tournament in town,” said Paul Rotner, event chair. “The funds raised benefit the future of our industry through our Education Foundation, a cause near and dear to me and our members.”

With a delicious lineup of cuisine by LRA members eateries like Acme Oyster House, Drago’s, Outback Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Zea Rotisserie and Grill, Phil’s Grill, Walk-On’s, Superior Seafood, Mr. Mudbug’s and Lucky Dogs, no doubt you’ll be sated during your golf game.

“One of the features of the golf tournament is the mulligans and these are not your typical mulligans,” said Rotner. “Some golfers purchase hundreds of them for the chance to win big prizes like TVs, grills, iPods, camping gear, bikes and more.”

In the event that the heat index gets up in the 90s, there’s a myriad of libations for golfers can chose from.  Republic and Crescent Crown, Glazer’s of Louisiana, Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coca-Cola products will keep you hydrated through the duration of the day. 

The event culminates at 4 p.m. with an awards presentation followed by the after party sponsored by Centerplate.

There are still spots for those who wish to golf and sponsorships are also available. To reserve your foursome and your sponsorship, call Cassie at (504) 454-2277 or email cassies@lra.org.

Love in in the air for Restaurants preparing for Valentine's Day

Happy Heart Day! Restaurants across Louisiana are reporting strong reservations for the big day, Tuesday, February 14. Reservations for the weekend prior to the big day are strong, although a parade in uptown New Orleans may send patrons to locations along the route for the added entertainment. Others may opt for a less traveled path to their romantic dinner.

Regardless, this day is a shot in the arm for many restaurants. According to a NationalRestaurant Association survey, more than 70 million American’s dined out on Valentine’s Day in 2011.

TallulahCrafted Food & Wine Bar in the new Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge is booked for the special day and by the time you read this article there will be no reservations available on Saturday, February 11.

An NRA survey revealed that younger adults are more likely to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day meal at a restaurant than older adults; 33 percent of 18-34-year olds, and 39 percent of 35-44-year olds say they plan to dine out for a Valentine’s Day meal, compared with 27 percent of those 55 and older.

“We look forward to Valentine’s Day,” said Lee McCollough, owner of One Restaurant and Lounge in New Orleans. “Business lately has been a little unpredictable, so to have a full house on Valentine’s is great for us.”

When it comes to factors involved in choosing where to dine out for Valentine’s Day, most consumers (42 percent) say they pick their favorite restaurant or their companion’s favorite restaurant for their special meal.

In Metairie at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, there are no more seats to be had on the holiday so beloved by women, said General Manager Mike Miller. He has actually removed most of his larger tables and rented smaller ones to accommodate more two tops.

“Every year we try to beat the prior year’s check average,” Miller added. “When we took the reservations we asked if they would like to add a bottle or half bottle of champagne to the meal or specialty chocolates. We aspire to exceed expectations on a regular day at Ruth’s, but Valentine’s Day is one where we get to be creative and really wow our guests.”

Twenty-one percent of those surveyed select a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, followed by restaurants that offer special menus or promotions (13 percent), restaurants picked by their companion (12 percent), and a restaurant they haven’t been to before (11 percent).

To all of our LRA members, may cupid’s arrow of profits rain on your restaurant during this Hallmark holiday!

The Business of Bourbon Street -- Melvin Rodrigue

From Napoleonville to New Orleans, a pre-med major turns hospitality into his lifelong career and runs one of the most notable, old-line restaurants in the heart of the French Quarter.

Many successful restaurateurs initially had other careers in mind upon entering college. 2012 LRA Chair Melvin Rodrigue was no different. At 19 years old, the Napoleonville native was enrolled at Tulane University, with plans to study medicine. A sister’s suggestion, however, put Rodrigue on the path to where he is today.  In 1991, he found himself working at the newly-opened Palace Café on Canal Street.

“I was driving home every weekend and my sister encouraged me to stay in the city, get a job with her at Palace and the rest is history, really,” Rodrigue says.

Best laid plans…

In a few short months, he was running the kitchen at Palace Café with 30 direct reports.

“I just loved it…the excitement, the responsibility and working with some of the industry greats, like Dickie Brennan and my mentor, Steve Pettus.”

Pettus laughed in an interview, “I’m too young to be a mentor. But, in all seriousness, Melvin is a sponge. He listens, he thinks and he considers all angles before he reacts. That’s the mark of a truly great leader.”