Roux brings New Orleans to Louisville

Dustin Staggers fell in love with New Orleans at first sight, and first bite. "The city is almost a different world — the culture, the people, the architecture and the food," he says.

Not content with experiencing New Orleans as visitors, he and his brother Kyle set in motion plans to open a Creole restaurant in Louisville. Although already familiar with New Orleans, they spent several days there to engulf themselves in everything that makes it unique and spectacular. Kyle later returned to take hundreds of photographs that would hang on the walls of their new restaurant, Roux.

MAKE IT AT HOME | Blackened redfish | Roux

MAKE IT AT HOME | Monkfish with country ham | Roux

MAKE IT AT HOME | BBQ shrimp | Roux

The location they chose, a 115-year-old house at 1325 Bardstown Road, had what Dustin considered to be the "bones" of a New Orleans restaurant. "I think we did a good job with the aesthetic build-out to give the space the style and vibe of a place in New Orleans, says Dustin who is the restaurant's chef. "Atmosphere matters, but food is priority number one. I had been designing the menu forever."

Roux, which opened in September 2014, serves classic Creole dishes such as etouffee, jambalaya, seafood boils, po' boys and dirty rice, but Dustin's idea from the beginning was to offer Creole with an edge. The extensive menu also showcases dishes such as Louisiana shrimp and grits, crawfish pie, gumbo and an alligator sausage dog. "I wanted to be able to appeal to my creative side, so we started with a Creole base and added a Southern Appalachian flair to it," he says.

New Orleans might be just another historic city with legendary food if it weren't for its jazz. The music is synonymous with the city and having a good time. And so it is with Roux. The sounds of New Orleans come alive as live jazz is played on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fat Tuesday was so much fun at Roux that the Staggerses decided to design a monthly celebratory event along the lines of New Orleans' French Quarter Festival. Fat Roux's Day is now held the last Tuesday of every month. "People go to New Orleans to have a good time," says Dustin. "Louisville loves a good time and now they can have it New Orleans-style." Fat Roux's Day hosts artists and street performers and features food and drink specials.

Roux, 1325 Bardstown Road; (502) 530-0531; rouxlouisville.com.