Our Story
Take one city steeped in tradition and fortified with a tenacious spirit. Combine it with a cross-cultural fusion of food and flavors built on the culinary history of seven nations that contributed to its unique flavor and what do you get? Restaurant R’evolution, offering modern, imaginative reinterpretations of classic Cajun and Creole cuisine. Located in the heart of the French Quarter at Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Restaurant R’evolution is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, featuring award-winning cuisine set in an atmosphere offering a dining experience that’s beyond compare.
This partnership also delved into Louisiana history, exploring the significant culinary contributions of each of the seven primary nations that inhabited the state, bringing raw ingredients from their native countries and cross-pollinating with their gastronomic traditions. The result will be a fresh and contemporary translation of Cajun and Creole cuisine, using Louisiana’s raw ingredients and building upon the history and traditions that define New Orleans.
DRESS CODE
In order for all guests to enjoy an elevated dining experience, we respectfully require no t-shirts, flip-flops, slides, activewear, swimwear, nor ballcaps in our main dining room. Smart casual dining options are available at Bar R’evolution.
It is important to realize that cultures and cuisines constantly evolve. This evolution process is brought about when new ingredients and ideas are introduced into a region. Here in South Louisiana, the evolution process may be witnessed at every turn. Today is more and more difficult to distinguish the Cajuns form the Creoles-but it is important to understand the foundation of Cajun and Creole cuisine to understand the direction our Louisiana Cuisine has taken.
The influence of all these cultures is very apparent in the Creole cuisine. A easy example is the Bouillabaisse soup from France which led to the creation of Creole gumbo. The Spanish actually gave us from their paella the jambalaya of Louisiana. The Germans brought to South Louisiana their knowledge of charcuterie which led to the fine sausages of the region. The West Indies and Haiti gave Louisiana exotic vegetables and unique cooking methods like braising and sauce piquantes. And of course the native Indians introduced the settlers to local produce, wildlife and seafood. Important ingredients like corn, sassafras leaves and file powder and bay leaves added to the culinary melting pot.
As wave after wave of refugees found Louisiana their Acadian homeland was reborn. They made their homes in the swamps and bayous of the South Louisiana which embraced their joy of living from the land. Armed with their black iron pots, the Cajuns as they came to be known, utilized what foods were indigenous to the area of South Louisiana. None of the exotic spices of Europe was available to the Cajuns in the Bayou country, instead they were happy to live off the land which was abundant with fish, shellfish, wild vegetation, local herbs and wild game. Jambalaya, grillades, stews, fricassees, soups, gumbos, sauce piquantes and stuffed vegetables are all characteristic of those “one pot meals”. Cajun cuisine is a “table in the wilderness”, a creative adaptation of indigenous Louisiana foods.
