Decca in NuLu closed in September. What's taking over the popular spot in Louisville
The high-end restaurant Decca closed in NuLu in September, but its space has not been empty for long.
Lou Lou Food & Drink, a creole restaurant in St. Matthews, is taking over Decca's space for a second location. Owned by Jared Matthews, the restaurant is aiming for a mid-December opening.
The restaurant will continue to serve New Orleans-style creole food, but Chef Crisian Garay will add some new menu items, according to a press release. Lou Lou on Market will also host a separate basement bar called The Stave, focusing on bourbon, live jazz music on the expansive patio, and an elevated cocktail list. Chef José Ramiro will take over the original Lou Lou location when Garay moves to the new one.
The NuLu location will add menu items like Cajun ribeye steaks, Creole-style swordfish and more seafood items, Matthews said. A private dining room called "The Lagniappe Room" will be available for parties of 20 to 25 people, and Matthews hired graffiti artist Riley Gregor of StraightEdge Creative to create a jazz-themed mural for the main dining room.
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"I want to give Louisville the whole New Orleans experience while incorporating the unique flavor of Lou Lou which combines Mediterranean and classic Cajun," Matthews said in a release. "Live music, creole flavors, classic New Orleans cocktails with a unique twist, hidden rooms, and an overall fun, but elevated dining experience. NuLu is the perfect place to make this vision come alive."
Matthews said he loved how NuLu is expanding and becoming "a mini Nashville" and he wanted to be a part of it.
"Honestly the Decca building has the most beautiful patio in Louisville," he said. "I can envision a great New Orleans experience."
Matthews also owns the Black Rabbit, Equus and the Fox Den, a rebrand of the former Diamonds Pub & Billiards space in St. Matthews that opened in April.
Decca closed after more than 10 years of operation in September. During the pandemic closures, Decca attempted to pivot to a more accessible atmosphere, even adding a burger to the menu. Decca received $617,183 in a grant from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund in June 2021 and made significant updates to the restaurant, including new flooring, paint, a new mural, updating kitchen equipment and an entirely redone patio space.
Reach reporter Dahlia Ghabour at dghabour@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Creole restaurant Lou Lou Food & Drink to take over former Decca space
