We Live to Eat Restaurant Week participating chefs to offer exclusive culinary demonstrations at Whole Foods Markets

Gourmands can get an advance taste of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Greater New Orleans Chapter’s (LRA) highly anticipated annual culinary promotion – We Live to Eat (WLTE) Restaurant Week, September 8-14, 2014. Throughout August participating chefs from the area’s most sought-after dining destinations will showcase items from their WLTE menus at exclusive cooking demonstrations to be held at Whole Foods Market – Arabella Station and Metairie.

Below is the August schedule and location information for the not-to-be-missed cooking demonstrations, which are free and open to the public.

Whole Foods Market – Arabella Station, 5600 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Sunday, August 3, Noon – Chef Tommy DiGiovanni, Arnaud’s Restaurant

Featuring: Slow Roasted Pork Loin with Black-eyed Peas and Orange Demi-Glace

Monday, August 11, 6 p.m – Chef Michelle McRaney, Mr. B’s Bistro

Featuring: Blackened Tuna with Sweet Corn Puree

Monday, August 18, 6 p.m. – Chef Dave Gotter, GG’s Dine-O-Rama

Featuring: Shrimp BLT Wrap with Mac’N on Magazine - 7 Cheese Macaroni & Cheese

Monday, August 25, 6 p.m.  – Chef Alon Shaya, Domenica

Featuring: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Golden Raisins, Toasted Almonds & Creole Mustard

Whole Foods Market – Metairie, 3420 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002

Thursday, August 7, 6 p.m. – Jeffery Thibodeaux, Zea Rotisserie & Grill

Featuring: Rotisserie Beef Sirloin with Baby Bella Cabernet Sauce

Friday, August 15, 6 p.m.  – Chef Chris Montero, Ralph Brennan’s Café B

Featuring: Grilled Redfish with Aged Balsamic and Wild Mushrooms

Friday, August 22, 6 p.m. – Chef Eric Solar, Mizado Cocina

Featuring: Peruvian Style Salmon Ceviche

Friday, August 29, 6 p.m. – Chef Michael Sichel, Galatoire’s Restaurant

Featuring: Parmesan Broth Risotto with Diced Tomatoes and Basil

Celebrating its fourth year, foodies will rejoice at this year’s WLTE Restaurant Week line-up, featuring New Orleans’ finest restaurants at affordable prices. The weeklong celebration is set to run September 8-14, 2014, when locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy exclusive discounted two-course lunch ($20 or less) and three-course dinner menus ($39 or less) from more than 50 of the city’s most acclaimed dining destinations including celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurants – Emeril's, Emeril's Delmonico and NOLA Restaurant; acclaimed Chef John Besh’s establishments – Domenica, Lüke, Borgne, La Provence and August; New Orleans culinary institutions – Commander’s Palace, Antoine’s Restaurant and Café Giovanni, and Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Red Fish Grill, Le Foret, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, SoBou; Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak and many more.

WLTE Restaurant Week sponsors to date include Camellia Brand, OpenTable, NOLA Rebirth Pale Ale, Stella Artois, Auto-Chlor System, Patrick Gros CPA, Crystal Clear Imaging, Zambeni and Eat Fit NOLA.

Guests can check back regularly to the WLTE Restaurant Week website for updates on participants, sponsors and deals.  Restaurant menus will be available online beginning August 1, 2014 at http://www.welivetoeatnola.com/. The We Live to Eat smartphone app will also available for Android and iPhone August 1, 2014.

Eatin' in the Big Easy, LRA announces 4th annual We Live to Eat Restaurant Week

Embracing the ever-growing culinary scene in New Orleans, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) – Greater New Orleans Chapter is proud to announce the return of its annual culinary promotion – We Live to Eat (WLTE) Restaurant Week – a weeklong celebration showcasing New Orleans’ finest restaurants. From September 8-14, 2014 locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy exclusive discounted two-course lunch ($20 or less) and three-course dinner menus ($39 or less) from more than 50 of the city’s most-acclaimed dining destinations including celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurants – Emeril's, Emeril's Delmonico and NOLA Restaurant; acclaimed Chef John Besh establishments – Domenica, Lüke, Borgne, La Provence and August; New Orleans culinary institutions Galatoire’s, Arnaud’s and Commanders Palace; Drago’s Seafood Restaurant; Mr. B’s Bistro; Le Foret; Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse; SoBou; Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak and many more.

Expanding on the popular program, this year’s WLTE Restaurant Week will feature an array of new culinary events and promotions including a special Kick Off celebration taking place at New Orleans’ acclaimed event space, The Chicory, Wednesday, September 3, 2014. Open to the public, guests will be able to sample culinary delights from a handful of participating chefs as they offer a “sneak peek” of their Restaurant Week menus, while enjoying complimentary cocktails and entertainment. Ticket sales will benefit the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to building the culinary community through expanded educational and career opportunities, the formation of strategic partnerships and the elevation of our professional standards and practices. 

WLTE Restaurant Week is proud to partner with Eat Fit NOLA – a unique program that highlights the better-for-you items right on the menu, making it effortless for anyone to eat nutritiously, anywhere in the city. Designed by registered dietician with Ochsner’s Elmwood Fitness Center, Molly Kimball, guests can indulge without guilt by choosing certified Eat Fit NOLA dishes available on the Restaurant Week menus.

Celebrated for its food, WLTE Restaurant Week offers visitors the chance to explore New Orleans’ dining scene and one-of-a-kind culture without breaking the bank. With hotel packages, inexpensive flight deals and discounted menus at New Orleans’ top restaurants, tourists are in for the ultimate foodie vacation.

WLTE Restaurant Week Sponsors to date include: Camellia Brand; Open Table; Patrick Gros CPA; Auto-Chlor System; Eat Fit NOLA; and Crystal Clear Imaging.

Guests can check back regularly to the WLTE Restaurant Week website here for updates on participants, sponsors, travel packages and deals.  Restaurant menus will be available online beginning August 1, 2014.  Smartphone app also available for Android and iPhone August 1, 2014.

Third Annual We Live to Eat Restaurant Week coming in September

The Louisiana Restaurant Association’s (LRA) Greater New Orleans Chapter is excited to announce that its We Live to Eat Restaurant Week will be held September 9-15, 2013.

During this weeklong celebration of New Orleans cuisine, participating restaurants in the New Orleans metro area will offer special prix fixe menus, created especially for Restaurant Week. Restaurants will offer a two-course lunch for under $20 and a three-course dinner for under $35.

Participating restaurants range from fine-dining establishments to neighborhood favorites. Discover new places and enjoy old favorites! To check out the restaurant list and menus, visit www.WeLivetoEatNola.com. Make your reservations early, seats fill fast.

A special thanks to 2013 We Live to Eat Restaurant Week sponsors:

Silver Spoon Sponsors: Dr. Pepper, LA Craft Beer, Rewards Network, OpenTable, WWL-TV, Offbeat Magazine, Entercom and Gambit.

Friend of We Live to Eat Sponsors: Cathead Vodka, Zatarain’s, Evamor Water, TLC Linen Services, Crystal Clear Imaging and Nola Live Magazine.

 

Visit www.welivetoeatnola.com for menus.

Louisiana Seafood title sponsor of second We Live to Eat Restuarant Week

The second annual We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week features specialty cuisine from nearly 50 area eateries—from local favorites and world-renowned establishments offering both casual and fine dining fare. September 10-16, diners will have 14 chances to take advantages of the two-course lunch specials for $20 and three-course dinner offerings for $35.

During the kick off press conference Friday, Sept. 7, Louisiana Restaurant Association President/CEO Stan Harris made a special presentation to an individual who, for 40 years, has advocated for Louisiana’s seafood industry--Harlon Pearce. As the chair of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board (LSPMB) for the last 13 years and given Louisiana Seafood’s title sponsorship, there was no better time to recognize him before restaurateurs, chefs and members of the media.

“Harlon has been an integral part of the Louisiana seafood industry for more than 40 years and has been the public face of the industry during Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Rita and Isaac and during the BP Oil Spill,” said Harris. “He has been incredibly supportive of the LRA and is a consistent and entertaining presence at the Louisiana Foodservice and Hospitality EXPO every year.”
 

In recognition for his 40  years of service to Louisiana's
seafood industry, LRA President/CEO Stan Harris
recognizes Harlon Pearce at the We Live to Eat:
Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week press conference.

Establishments participating in Restaurant Week were asked to use Louisiana seafood as a main component in the appetizer or entrée portion of the specialty menus.  From Gulf shrimp, fish, oysters, crawfish, crab and even alligator, all six of the Louisiana seafood species can be found peppered throughout the decadent menus in traditional and innovative preparations.

“One restaurant is serving an Alligator Bolognese, which is not something you see every day,” said Harris. “Crab cakes, seafood gumbos, grilled fresh Gulf fish and oysters on the half shell are just some of the standouts from our great chefs.”

We Live to Eat: Louisiana Seafood Restaurant Week is recurring for the second year and is brought to the dining public by the LRA Greater New Orleans Chapter. Designed to deliver diners to restaurants during a slow period given the heat, this year’s Restaurant Week will also be a much needed reprieve for those area residents who went days without power and sadly, many of which experienced flooding in their homes due to Isaac’s storm surge.

Losing power is one thing, but having hurricane-related home damage like flooding is something beyond inconvenient,” added Harris. “We hope that those families impacted by Isaac will find themselves at a participating restaurant next week and feel a sense of normalcy and hope during the recovery period.”  

The availability of Louisiana Seafood is extremely important to New Orleans restaurants. The LRA would be remiss not to mention the fishers that were impacted by Hurricane Isaac. Given their location, some fishers were negatively impacted, while others are able to continue to bring in fresh catch for restaurants. The LSPMB is assessing the damage to the fishing industry and will keep the LRA and public informed through its website. 

Regardless of your reasons for dining out during Restaurant Week, our establishments look forward to hosting you, your family and friends Sept. 10-16.

Bon Appetit!

We Live to Eat seeks bowlers, fans for tournament

Back by popular demand, the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Greater New Orleans (LRA GNO) Chapter will host its third annual We Live to Eat and Bowl Tournament Sunday, June 24, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Mid City Lanes Rock n Bowl.  Teams of four can compete for the championship title, a trophy, bragging rights and team WLTE and Bowl shirts.

A maximum of 36 teams can enter to compete and the varying skill levels will no doubt result in fun to be had by all. From the high achievers possible splashers, sixpacks, five baggers, strikes, spares and loopers to the puddles, grandma’s teeth, fouls and chicken wings, this event boasts competition for the serious and laughs for those out for an entertaining evening.

All this fun and more benefits LRA GNO Chapter special projects like We Live to Eat Restaurant Week--offering a weeklong celebration of culinary creativity Sept. 10-16, 2012.    

Don't worry if bowling isn’t your thing, WLTE and Bowl has something for everyone. Local restaurants—Chiba, Drago’s, Galatoire’s, Acme, Mr. B’s, Mr. Mudbug, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Zea Rotisserie, Ernst Café, One Restaurant & Lounge and Creole Cuisine—will provide delectable cuisine and an open bar of libations will ease the competitors’ tension. A Live Auction will feature items like a George Rodrigue Blue Dog print featuring New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees.

A Speed Bowling tournament will be also held and the team with the most pins knocked down in one hour will determine the winner.

General admission tickets are $30 per person and $400 for a team of four to bowl. To purchase tickets or enter your team, click here.

The We Live to Eat campaign was designed to raise awareness of New Orleans’ unique culinary industry, which is at the heart of the city’s identity.

We Live to Eat Restaurant Week is slated for September 10-16 and restaurants from across New Orleans are planning special menus for your enjoyment. Stay tuned for details!