More than 13 restaurateurs and hospitality professionals gathered at What Now Media Group’s Accelerate Event in New Orleans. Held on April 9th at Baroness on Baronne, the event brought together industry leaders, from seasoned operators to emerging voices, to exchange ideas and share perspectives on the evolving hospitality scenario.
Known for its sophisticated gourmet small plates and extensive cocktail selection, Baroness on Baronne, at 339 Baronne Street, seamlessly blends a nightclub ambiance with a refined dining atmosphere.
The event was led by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, who guided the evening’s programming and helped foster a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere.
Restaurants
The event brought together a diverse mix of restaurant owners and industry professionals, representing a wide range of concepts, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Queen Eats Bistro & Bar, at 339 Baronne St, New Orleans
The “Baton Rouge Soul Food” concept began as the Queen Eats & Royal Treats food truck, known for dishes like red beans and wings, Cajun shrimp pasta, and pulled pork sandwiches. The brand is now transitioning into a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Bayou Bagel Company, at 3625 Prytania St.
Bayou Bagel Company built a strong following in New Orleans as a pop-up and wholesale operation, with bagels offered in four core flavors. Co-owner Howie Kaplan credits its success to a multi-day production process and high-quality local ingredients.
Amour by Oulala’s, at 2209 Lapalco Blvd
A local caterer, Alana Lawrence, decided to expand her business into a brick-and-mortar concept in 2025. The space will serve takeout breakfast during the day and transition into a restaurant lounge in the evening, carrying over popular dishes like lamb chops and Cajun pasta.
Southerns, at 1720 W Thomas St, Hammond
Southerns is a fast casual restaurant concept rooted in Southern cuisine, best known for its chef-driven take on fried chicken and sandwiches. Originally launched as a small-scale operation with tents and food trucks, the company plans to grow into a brick-and-mortar location.
Mantra, at 4250 LA-22 Ste. 1, Mandeville
Mantra Indian Cuisine is a family-run restaurant that has built a loyal following in Metairie through flavorful dishes and personalized service. Its “modern mashup” approach to classic Southern food offers elevated, creative menu items that go beyond typical chain offerings.
Alexis Fried Chicken and Seafood, at 2212 S Claiborne Ave
The historic Alexis Fried Chicken and Seafood, a family-run spot dating back to 1938, was destroyed by flooding during Hurricane Katrina, forcing its closure after decades in the community. Despite the long hiatus, strong neighborhood support and lasting demand highlight the restaurant’s deep roots and enduring legacy.
Cafe Lilly, at 3329 Magazine Street
Known for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, the original restaurant has built its reputation on dishes like brisket pho, dumpling soup, and specialty teas. The café also serves a selection of popular East Asian teas, including iced chrysanthemum and jasmine.
Maison Courteaux On the Bayou, at 3329 Magazine Street
Led by chef Ashly Courteaux, the Cajun French restaurant set within the Bayou Wharf complex in Chalmette combines regional flavors with a scenic waterfront setting, focusing on fresh local seafood and Southern-inspired dishes, and is positioned as a tribute to the culinary heritage of St. Bernard Parish.
Cafe Lilly, at 3329 Magazine Street
Known for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, the original restaurant has built its reputation on dishes like brisket pho, dumpling soup, and specialty teas. The café also serves a selection of popular East Asian teas, including iced chrysanthemum and jasmine.
Cajun Beignet, at 329 Decatur Street
Specializing in both sweet and savory takes on the classic beignet, Cajun Beignet was founded by Sean Rhim and aims to stand out by offering around 15 varieties, including inventive options like crème brûlée, chocolate, Nashville chicken, and crawfish étouffée beignets.
Partners
The What Now Media Group’s Accelerate event also brought together a wide range of partners offering services.
The payroll and human resources technology company Auris was represented by Julia Barecki and Christine Barrone, showcasing how it helps small- and mid-sized businesses manage their workforce more efficiently.
Nicholas Hertle from OpenTable Reservations and Jay Bookman from Restaurant Technologies also attended the event to showcase solutions for industry professionals.
Stay tuned for What Now Media Group’s future Accelerate events in 2026. For updates, visit the Accelerate page.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2026. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
