Inspired by the corner stores — or bodegas — of his native New York, Jaryd Kase is preparing to open a restaurant called Bodega New Orleans at 3633 Annunciation St. in Uptown. Kase had planned to open his restaurant last year but permit issues have kept pushing back an opening date. He recently told What Now New Orleans that he’s aiming for a fall opening. Until then, Kase has been engaging the community with prepacked meal solutions and catering.
Located in a former po-boy shop, Bodega New Orleans will offer elevated yet approachable breakfast and lunch fare. A sample lunch menu posted to the official website listed a grilled salmon sandwich made with red pepper aioli on Bellegarde Bakery sourdough and a chimichurri steak sandwich made with sautéed mushrooms and onions on a Bellegarde baguette. The store will have limited seating for dine-in customers and a small retail area stocked with boutique food items.
“One of the things I really thought was cool when I moved down here many years ago is: Some of the best food — you can get really quickly, like at a gas station,” he said. “For example, maybe there’s a corner store that you wouldn’t normally think about for getting fish, but actually, the fish is really good!
“I wanted Bodega to be a concept where you could go in on a busy Tuesday after picking up the kids from soccer practice, grab something quickly, and take it home to eat.”
Being of Jewish heritage, Kase said it was important to him to offer some traditional Jewish dishes and items at Bodega.
“The Jewish community down here is really small, but it’s tight-knit. I want people in that community to have Bodega as a resource,” he said. “So, they can come out and get what they need for a Friday night Shabbat dinner, or whatever.”
