New Orleans is famous for its fine dining, but, of the many elegant restaurants in the city, four stand out and have become known as the "Grand Dames" of New Orleans. These are Antoine's, Galatoire's, Arnaud's and Broussard's.
Antoine's was established in 1840 by French native Antoine Alciatore. He moved the restaurant into the building it now occupies on St. Louis Street in 1868. Son, Jules Alciatore, apprenticed in France for several years before returning to take over the family business in the 1880's. It was Jules who invented Oysters Rockefeller (named for the richness of the sauce) and the recipe is still a closely guarded secret, though many have attempted to duplicate it.
In 1947, Frances Parkinson Keyes wrote the popular mystery novel, "Dinner at Antoine's," furthering the restaurant's fame, though, by then, it was already well-known as one of New Orleans' culinary jewels.
Antoine's grandson, Roy Alciatore, headed the restaurant until the 1970's and Roy's grandsons, William and Roy Guste, followed him, as did their sons. Today, descendants of Antoine Alciatore still own and manage the restaurant, where visitors and locals alike gather, as they did 170 years ago when Antoine, himself, greeted them, to enjoy an elegant and memorable "Dinner at Antoine's." |
