Although their restaurant in Uptown has built a loyal following based on authentic Thai street food dishes, the owners of Pomelo are looking to go bigger and bolder with a new restaurant concept called Good Catch.
Frankie Weinberg and Aom Srisuk recently told What Now New Orleans that they are aiming for a December opening for their Thai seafood restaurant to be located at 828 Gravier St. in the Central Business District. That address was formerly the home of Singha Thai Café.
Srisuk said she is looking to serve dishes that you might find at a beach-side restaurant back in her native Thailand. But she’s also looking to flex the culinary experience she gained working in her family’s Japanese restaurant. She added that the food at Good Catch will feature influences from all four main regions of Thailand.
“I want to be authentic, but I also want to be creative,” she said. “So, hopefully, I can bring out some different food compared to what we already have here in America, maybe a little bit new-style.”
Weinberg said Good Catch will also be an opportunity to make culinary connections between Thai and local influences.
“This concept is also a great way to blend in New Orleans culture and the wonderful Gulf seafood that’s available to us,” he said.
In addition to having a different culinary focus, Good Catch will also have more seating and a more robust kitchen than Pomelo. The latter restaurant only has seating for about 18 people and limited ventilation in the kitchen significantly limits the menu. Good Catch is expected to seat around 85 guests and Weinberg said ventilation hoods in the kitchen will allow for more high-heat cooking.
While coffee and soft drinks are the beverage options at Pomelo, Good Catch will have a full bar. Given its location in the CBD, the new restaurant will also have a major focus on lunch and cater to the business workers in the area.
