BOULIGNY TAVERN - Key Persons
When asked why he moved to New Orleans in late fall of 2016, his answer is usually just (with purposed wit) a simple, flat "because I wanted to live here." Hailing from Ohio originally, Craig spent more than 15 years running the famed wine bar, Pops for Champagne in Chicago, as well as creating and opening its two sister spots, the beer & cocktail lounge Watershed, and the cava & tapas bar, Bom Bolla. A long time patron of Bouligny Tavern on his many, many trips to New Orleans over the years, Craig is excited (and feels more than fortunate) to be taking the reins at this Uptown institution.
With more than 20 years experience managing wine & cocktail bars, Craig hopes to continue Bouligny Tavern's unparalleled commitment to offering exciting, interesting wine selections and creative, inspired cocktails, as well as exploring food pairings for both from Bouligny's stellar kitchen. It was this relaxed, yet focused commitment to quality that brought Craig here as a guest in the first place. He looks forward to where the next chapter will lead.
Chef John Harris and his staff at Lilette celebrated their tenth year in 2010. He has been a James Beard finalist for Best Chef South in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. He was included in Food and Wine magazine's list of America's Best New Chefs in 2002 and was named Best Chef New Orleans by New Orleans Magazine. In addition, Lilette has been named a Top Ten Best Restaurant five of the last eight years by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
John began his passion for cooking growing up in the kitchen of his italian mother. Working in restaurants during college, he couldnt resist the allure of cooking school. He attended the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, which would lead him to stints at Café Allegro in Pittsburgh, and Spiaggia in Chicago.
John moved to New Orleans to work as Sous Chef at Bayona in the French Quarter under famed Chef Susan Spicer. While there, Spicer offered him the opportunity to travel to France and apprentice at Amphyclese and Le Pre Catalin -- both Michelin rated 2-star restaurants. During this time in France, John lived with the Mauri family, whose matriarch Lilette instilled in him a love of traditional French cooking.
After returning to New Orleans, John became Executive Chef at Gautreau's Restaurant, then worked with Gerard Maras of Gerard's Downtown. In December of 2000, John fell in love with the intimate space at 3637 Magazine Street that would soon become Lilette.