TruOrleans, James "Tru" Redding's Cajun and Creole-Influenced Restaurant and Art Gallery on 4th and H Street NE - Closed

[Tweaked]

The New Orleans-ification of DC continues. Looks to be across the street from Ethiopic. Grand Opening weekend July 15.

website

Photos up on Facebook

[New Foodie]

Having driven by a few times, I really like the look of the outside. Looking forward to checking it out soon.

[MC Horoscope]

I assume that's pronounced Trawlins?

[Mark Dedrick]

Thrillest put up a copy of their menu, linked to here:

http://www.thrillist.com/files/menus/244531menupopup.jpg

I've been excited for that place to open in part because I've been watching their renovations, which have been extensive. The menu looks fine, if a bit expensive for what it appears to be, but the beer and wine list is rather underwhelming.

[dcandohio]

I looked at the menu and do hope this place can deliver. But the New Orleans in me just cringes at $16 for a plate of red beans with sausage. ThIs is work day, working people food. It should be cheap.

[Mark Dedrick]

I looked at the menu and do hope this place can deliver. But the New Orleans in me just cringes at $16 for a plate of red beans with sausage. ThIs is work day, working people food. It should be cheap.

This is the same thought I had when I saw their intent to charge $5 for a can of PBR.

[DaRiv18]

For $8 admission, $6 food, and $3 corkage, you can head to HR-57 down the street for live jazz, a plate of red beans and rice with fried chicken, and BYOB.

[DonRocks]

"D.C. Tax Office Shuts Down TruOrleans On H Street NE" by Jessica Sidman on washingtoncitypaper.com

Their website (truorleans.com) is also down.

[Tujague]

"D.C. Tax Office Shuts Down TruOrleans On H Street NE" by Jessica Sidman on washingtoncitypaper.com

Their website (truorleans.com) is also down.

Geez, this is heading into Roberta Donna territory, without any of the culinary credibility.

[dcandohio]

We went to this place a few times for drinks and every time we went there was some kind of minor disaster. It never seemed like they were running at full stride. The patio on that space is terrific and I hope someone takes it over who can really make it a great place.

[Josh]

Writing in from Rome to say good riddance. Hoping for a savior to swoop in and turn this great space into a great place.

[DaRiv18]

This venue had a reputation for being a bad restaurant, a bad neighbor, and a bad tenant.  Would be nice if Bayou or something similar could just assume the space, wouldn't even need a buildout. 

[bettyjoan]

It really is a beautiful space, and that western end of H Street could use a nice "anchor," so to speak.  I am not sad to see TruOrleans go (we never ate there, but we walk by frequently in the evenings and it always seemed way too rowdy and loud - like a brawl was always on the verge of breaking out), but I hate to see a building like that go vacant for too long.

[DaRiv18]

always seemed way too rowdy and loud - like a brawl was always on the verge of breaking out

A brawl did break out on July 17.

[Bob Wells]

I looked at the menu and do hope this place can deliver. But the New Orleans in me just cringes at $16 for a plate of red beans with sausage. ThIs is work day, working people food. It should be cheap.

On our recent visit to the Delaware shore, we finally tried Po' Boys Creole in the little town of Milton. My kids split a huge portion of red beans, rice and sausage, and we still had a good amount to take home. It was $15. Totally worth it.

Having been to NOLA many times, I totally get where you're coming from. But on the East Coast, NOLA food is just another alien cuisine. (BTW Po' Boys was really good. Fried crawfish tails, buttermilk pie, Abita....).

[Mark Dedrick]

There's a lot going on in this story. Agree with the folks above, would love to see an actual legitimate spot open up here.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2013/09/11/let-the-bad-times-roll-h-street-nes-most-hated-restaurant-closes-after-tax-troubles-lawsuits-and-a-food-fight/

[Kev29]

It really is a beautiful space, and that western end of H Street could use a nice "anchor," so to speak.

Big Board is a nice neighborhood bar and burger joint. Boundary Stone is a notable dinner spot. I think Western H is actually doing pretty well. Sounds like getting rid of the TruOrleans management team is a plus.

[bettyjoan]

Big Board is a nice neighborhood bar and burger joint. Boundary Stone is a notable dinner spot. I think Western H is actually doing pretty well. Sounds like getting rid of the TruOrleans management team is a plus.

We love the Big Board, and Boundary Road (which is what I think you mean, not Boundary Stone) is good for a more upscale meal.  Selfishly, since I am closer to that end of H than the other, I am always hoping that something awesome takes over there.

[Pat]

The DC Government has now seized Redding's assets, including the Stadium Club.

[lhollers]

Good riddance. The new owner/operator of this space stopped in about a week ago with his interior decorator (who is a semi-regular at Le Grenier) to have some cocktails. Seemed like a nice enough guy, young-ish...I didn't ask about his background or restaurant experience. From what he said, it's going to be a Mediterranean tapas theme downstairs with a more upscale lounge focused on drinks upstairs. Either way, I'm excited to see someone actually use that perfect location and beautiful space. Could be perfect timing on his part with the streetcar nearing completion...

[Josh]

... it's going to be a Mediterranean tapas theme downstairs with a more upscale lounge focused on drinks upstairs.

Hmm...I want to believe, but mark me down as extremely skeptical.

[DaRiv18]

Did the landlord successfully evict Redding yet? I didn't think he could sign new leases until that was finished. Also, that space has been generating interest from lots of brand name restauranteurs from what I hear from the grapevine, I'm bit concerned it will be an empire outpost instead of a owner operated spot.

Then again, TruOrleans exceeded even my train wreck predictions, so anything would be an improvement, but that's not much of a standard.

[lhollers]

Hmm...I want to believe, but mark me down as extremely skeptical.

Totally fair (and I'm in the same boat). Just relaying what was told to me. Hope it's actually the case...

[deangold]

With the rent they were asking, i would want to think three times about doing it.  

[DonRocks]

With the rent they were asking, i would want to think three times about doing it.  

You can't leave us hanging - what were they asking, both total and per square foot?

[DaRiv18]

WaPo updated that story, the $150k lien on Stadium Club was paid off in full. According to the Wash Biz Journal, single $1 bills made up $40k of that payoff amount!

Never thought I feel sorry for exotic dancers, but wow talk about bailing out your deadbeat boss so that you can continue to make your money.

[deangold]

You can't leave us hanging - what were they asking, both total and per square foot?

17k-20k is what i had heard.  True it is fully equipped, but you need to do 250k a month to make 20k in rent justified.  I have no idea of what the actual numbers on the joint were.

[lhollers]

For what it's worth, I just received solid confirmation that the group I spoke of above was, in fact, full of B.S. They may have talked to the current owners, but what would be the point of that when those folks are still outstanding on so many debts? DonRocks, feel free to weigh in - I have no doubt you've heard more on this...

[DaveO]

Will there be a change occurring?  

"What The Hell Is Going On With TruOrleans?"

[Kev29]

Will there be a change occurring?  

"What The Hell Is Going On With TruOrleans?"

Something's going on in there -- Construction Starts in former TruOrleans Space on H Street (PoPville)

[Josh]

Since it seems like it's all the same players involved, I don't have high expectations for this iteration.

[lhollers]

Since it seems like it's all the same players involved, I don't have high expectations for this iteration.

Second, even though it does kill me to walk by here and see a huge, gorgeous patio that's completely going to waste. Being at 3rd and G NE, I would love an H St. outdoor drinking option that's closer than Little Miss Whiskey's...