Creator Spotlight: Charly Pierre
Basin Street runs parallel to the back half of Louis Armstrong Park, a lush, historic space that houses the Mahalia Jackson Theatre and the Treme Recreation Community Center. Quieter than nearby Rampart Street and the busy artery of Claiborne Avenue to west, the oft-forgotten thoroughfare runs straight through the Treme neighborhood and boasts is own share of local eateries and shops.
Fritai, locally owned and operated, is one of the most recent restaurant openings on Basin Street. The Haitian eatery honors the diverse flavors of the Caribbean island with a tightly drawn menu and the passion of owner Charly Pierre. The Cambridge, Massachusetts transplant has long aspired to be a chef, his desire stirred by the Haitian dishes of his early years and the pride inherent within his childhood home.
Pierre relocated to New Orleans in the autumn of 2015 and quickly expanded his own local experience in the hospitality industry by working at restaurants such as Angeline and Bayona before developing his own dining concept: Fritai.
Chef Pierre quietly opened his stall at the St. Roch Market in ((YEAR)), but its humble beginnings were short-lived. Pierre’s inventive presentation of classic Haitian dining staples with a New Orleanian twist became the talk of the neighborhood, and Fritai swiftly became one of the most popular dining concepts at the market.
Pierre’s determined focus on his cultural heritage did not stop with a popular menu. Instead, Fritai galvanized its initial platform at the St. Roch Market to acquire a dedicated following on social media and to run a series of effective fundraisers benefiting the country of Haiti. During his tenure at the Market, Pierre went on to be honored by Zagat’s 30 under 30, and he even appeared on the highly popular Food Network show, Chopped.
After withstanding the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pierre announced the opening of his own brick-and-mortar restaurant in December of 2020. His announcement made Fritai the 19th vendor from Politan Group to open its own restaurant after their market tenure. Fritai has truly become a testament to personal dedication, a pride in one’s cultural heritage, and the power of community.
If you ever find yourself on Basin Street, sate the grumble in your belly with a meal from Fritai. A full cocktail program offers sour-style drinks like the scotch-based Spicy Island Breeze and Fri-Tai made with Dark Rum. You can also expect a wine list that perfectly offsets spiced root vegetable fritters known as “Akra” and a Mirliton Salad tossed with candied plantain. The Fritai Sandwich (which first made an appearance at the St. Roch Market) combines avocado, pork, and an indulgent mango sauce all served between two fried plantains.
Chef Pierre opened a humble stall at the St. Roch Market just a few years ago, but his inventive determination has managed to honor not only his heritage, but also the city he’s come to know and love.
Fritai is currently open at 1535 Basin Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.