Louis Retailleau to open a restaurant in New Albany

After he couldn't successfully fought the location in Louisville, Louis Retailleau looked on the sunny side of the river and found a place in New Albany.

Here's the article from the CJ: Louis Le Frencais

The most recent occupant, I think, of the address was Paul's One World Cafe that closed late in 2010. It's across the street from La Bocca and within a stone's throw of Toast on Market and Habana Blues.

Louisville's East End and Buechel / Fern Creek have added a lot of interesting dining but they may all be trumped by New Albany in the end. The aesthetics are certainly in the Sunny Side's favor - the feel of an actual historic town district as opposed to characterless sprawl whether clean and recent or worn and dingy. Hard to beat downtown New Albany. A pedestrian can stroll from Italian to Mexican to gastropub to breakfast/lunch food and now to French! Work off the calories at the YMCA complex there and you'd practically never have to drive a car or leave downtown New Albany.

The most recent occupant, I think, of the address was Paul's One World Cafe that closed late in 2010. It's across the street from La Bocca and within a stone's throw of Toast on Market and Habana Blues.

Louisville's East End and Buechel / Fern Creek have added a lot of interesting dining but they may all be trumped by New Albany in the end. The aesthetics are certainly in the Sunny Side's favor - the feel of an actual historic town district as opposed to characterless sprawl whether clean and recent or worn and dingy. Hard to beat downtown New Albany. A pedestrian can stroll from Italian to Mexican to gastropub to breakfast/lunch food and now to French! Work off the calories at the YMCA complex there and you'd practically never have to drive a car or leave downtown New Albany.

The last occupant was Artemsia, a Mediterranean sort of plce. The food was excellent, hours spotty. I wish Retailleau the best of luck! Welcome to the neighborhood.

[Robin Garr]

I wish him well, and his place would indeed be an addition to New Albany.

I don't think I'm being too cynical, though, when I note that this gent has started two prior efforts with similarly optimistic announcements in other venues and then backed out, deciding that they didn't meet his standards. Will this story repeat itself? Let's wait for ... Page Two!

I wish him well, and his place would indeed be an addition to New Albany.

I don't think I'm being too cynical, though, when I note that this gent has started two prior efforts with similarly optimistic announcements in other venues and then backed out, deciding that they didn't meet his standards. Will this story repeat itself? Let's wait for ... Page Two!

The people who own that building are gems, and their tenants have tended to be under-capitalized even by prevailing standards: Treet's, Fish House, Paul's and then Artesia. I appreciate Robin's cautionary note. At the same time, at least there was work taking place inside last time I looked. I, too, hope for the best, and also hope for Bieres de Garde.