Friends, Happy Monday.Hope you had an amazing weekend trick-or-treating and watching the stunning people of the world come together to run/jog/walk/stroll through 26.2 glorious miles of New York City! Congrats to all the finishers!
Today I’m excited to share a bit about Café Malou, a brand new restaurant in New Orleans that’s very close to my heart as it is indeed owned by my dear friend Mani Dawes. you may know Mani’s name as she’s an owner and a founder of the legendary Tia Pol (21 years old!), and she and her husband Sean Josephs also opened Maysville and Char No. 4 back in the day.
Mani and Sean moved back to her native New Orleans about a decade ago to raise their three kids closer to family, commuting to New York to continue to run their restaurant up hear (something thay continue to do!) They opened a spot down there called Ken
A New Chapter: Café Malou Brings Parisian Charm to New Orleans
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The scent of freshly baked pastries and strong coffee now mingles with the aroma of old books on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Café Malou,the brainchild of Mani Dawes,has opened it’s doors,transforming a historic general store into a Parisian-inspired haven.
The space has a dreamy vibe,designed by Logan Killen Interiors,and built by architect Graham Hill and Kalimera Construction within the lovely bones of the historic general store with a walk-up counter that honors the origins of what was once a neighborhood pantry.The dining room is shining and cheerful,both warm and intimate and airy and modern,flooded with sun,lighting up the beautiful oil paintings on the walls,by her mother Nancy Dawes. Mani spent months on the smallest details, from the sage green gingham cafe curtains, to the counter made by Millworker Thomas Edick with antique casepieces that add a nostalgic whimsy to the space. Rather than cut off the businesses,the owners of Octavia Books installed three pivot doors to unite the spaces,creating a seamless flow between books,breakfast and beyond.
[Image of the interior of café Malou, described as having a dreamy vibe.]
Café Malou isn’t just a beautiful space; it’s a testament to community and thoughtful design. It’s a place where you can lose yourself in a good book,savor a flavorful meal,and feel a little bit of Parisian magic right in the heart of New Orleans.
Café Malou: A New Orleans Culinary Gem
Café Malou offers breakfast (with freshly made pastries and viennoiserie),lunch,and weekend brunch,serving unfussy dishes that celebrate the diverse flavors of New Orleans. The restaurant is the result of a collaboration between Mani and former Char No. 4 chef Matt Greco,who previously honed his skills with Andrew Carmellini at Cafe Boulud and A Voce. Greco’s menu features approachable New Orleans-inspired salads, sandwiches, toasts, and plates.
Expect dishes like an open-faced baked crab sandwich with pimento cheese, herb breadcrumbs, and lemon; baked grits a la carbonara with a roasted garlic bacon crumble; a Shrimp Cocktail Salad with celery, olives, scallions, and bloody mary remoulade; and a chopped “Italian Deli” salad with romaine, prosciutto, mortadella, castelvetrano olives, and red wine vinaigrette. Sweet options include a ricotta and clementine toast with olive oil and sea salt, a “Well Dressed Shrimp Toast” with cucumber, mustard, and crème fraîche, and brioche French toast with maple-nutella syrup and blueberry jam.
Location and Hours
Café Malou
Address: 5433 Laurel Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504-227-3110
hours: Wednesday – Sunday 7am – 3pm. expanding to 7 days a week soon!
if you’re in New Orleans, be sure to stop by and say hello to Mani!
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