A cajun restaurant from a longtime Atlanta chef is now open in Chamblee.
Lagarde American Eatery, from Leonardo Moura and chef Jamie Adams, opened over the weekend in the Parkview on Peachtree development with a menu of New Orleans-inspired dishes.
Lagarde, Adams' middle name, pays homage to the his parents, who were born and raised in New Orleans. Moura and Adams also own il Giallo Osteria and Bar in Sandy Springs. Before they opened il Giallo, Adams was the longtime executive chef at now-shuttered Midtown restaurant Veni Vidi Vici and Moura was the general manager.
“Since I became a chef, I always wanted to open a restaurant that paid respect to the past and future of New Orleans’ multi-cultural cuisine that has had such an impact on my palate and my life,” Adam said in a prepared statement. “It’s such an exciting time to see this life-long dream coming to fruition.”
Many Lagarde items are based on family recipes that Adams grew up eating during family trips to New Orleans, including andouille and shrimp gumbo, red beans and rice and daube, a traditional New Orleans braised brisket served with crispy onions.
The menu also features a variety of oysters, barbecue, plancha and fried shrimp and a selection of po’boys, and uses Louisiana sourced ingredients including Leidenheimer Bread, Camellia Beans, Abita Beer, Crystal and Tabasco Hot Sauces and Louisiana oysters.
Bar offerings include frozen drinks including Painkillers and Negroni Slushies, more than two dozen craft beers including selections from New Orleans and Atlanta and champagnes. Also look for adult milkshakes made with soft serve ice cream.
On the sweet side, expect to see options including pecan pie and bread pudding, as well as soft serve ice cream and toppings.
John McGarry, who spent the majority of his culinary career as the executive chef of several Here To Serve Restaurants, will spearhead Lagarde’s culinary operations as its executive chef, and il Giallo Osteria’s pastry chef Libby Muldawer also serves as pastry chef for Lagarde.
Atlanta native and former owner of Brookhaven’s Kaleidoscope, Doug Gross, will serve as the restaurant’s general manager.
“I’m excited about once again helping to create a neighborhood gathering place from the ground up,” Gross said. “My goal is to establish Lagarde as a modern day Cheers – a local’s restaurant and bar where everyone knows you and knows what you enjoy eating and drinking, ensuring you have a fantastic experience.”
The 118-seat space includes 20 seats at a granite-topped bar, and a 1,800 square-foot outdoor patio.
Atlanta-based interior designer Vivien Patrie, owner of Vivien Leigh Interiors, designed the interior of Lagarde. Design elements include glass walls, burgundy and grey hues and a wall-to-wall colorful graffiti mural hand painted by local street artists Lotus Eaters Club. The mural depicts a New Orleans balcony scene featuring caricatures of Adams and Moura interacting with Louisiana animals.
In addition, a hand-crafted Warrior Guitar signed by Adams’ parents hangs over the open-air kitchen.
Lagarde is open for dinner from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 5-9 p.m. Sunday.
Beginning Dec. 14, the restaurant will be open continuously from brunch until dinner from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
5090 Peachtree Blvd., Chamblee. 470-385-3533, lagardeatl.com
Scroll down to see the full menu for Lagarde:
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