Tales of the Cocktail 2015

Reservation Phone Number: (504) 525-8676 
$50

Elizabeth Kettenring Dutry Begue was famous in pre-Civil War New Orleans for the meal she called the Butcher’s Breakfast.  Everyday at exactly 11 am, Begue served an elaborate 5 course meal to exactly 30 people.  Originally, the diners were the butchers of the French Market who had labored since dawn at their stalls located across the street from the Begue’s location.  By time of the 1884-1885 Cotton Exposition, American tourists replaced the butcher, vying for one of the 30 seats at Begue’s Exchange.

Today, we call that late morning meal - brunch.

In 1917, when Begue’s moved into a larger location, Tujague’s Restaurant, which had been located three doors away from Begue’s seized the opportunity to move to the corner of Decatur and Madison where they continue to operate today.

To celebrate the impending publication of the Tujague’s Cookbook, theButcher’s Breakfast is being revived.  The meal will feature many of Madame Begue’s original dishes along with the Grasshopper and Whiskey Punch, two award winning cocktails created at Tujague’s.  New Orleans’ culinary historian, Poppy Tooker, host of public radio’s Louisiana Eats and author of the Tujague’s Cookbook, Recipes and Lore in the Grand Creole Tradition will speak at the event.  Copies of Madame Begue’s Recipes of Old New Orleans Creole Cookery, originally published in 1900 will be available for purchase.