Belleville is about to get a New Orleans-inspired restaurant. Here’s a sneak peek
Restaurant goers in the downtown Belleville area have anxiously awaited the opening of a new, New Orleans-inspired restaurant.
Commenters on the Facebook page for The Quarter Restaurant have asked about an opening date, and a recent reply from owner Brandon McGraw was, “When the exterior construction partitions are down we are open!”
Well, the construction barrier in front of The Quarter Restaurant has been removed, albeit sooner than planned. Monday afternoon’s storm brought strong winds down East Main Street, causing the temporary barrier to collapse.
The following morning I went by the restaurant to take some photos of the newly revealed interior and check on its status. As my luck would have it, McGraw was there, clearing up what the storm left behind outside the restaurant. I was able to get the latest about the restaurant, as well as get a look inside.
As McGraw finished up with power washing the sidewalk and arranging chairs along the storefront, he said the barrier wasn’t supposed to come down just yet. (There’s a note on the door stating just that.) He did say that they hope to be ready for customers later in the week.
McGraw added that part of the preparation now includes some touch-up work to the building’s facade that was damaged when the storm tore down the construction barrier. The front of the restaurant will also be dressed up with hanging plants.
The inside is also nearly ready for guests, needing just a bit of last-minute tidying up. The main entrance is on the dining room side. The bar area is located on the other side of the building. The bar offers plenty of seating and several bar height tables and chairs along the wall.
Once open, the restaurant will offer lunch and dinner menus, daily specials and specialty drinks. And what’s a New Orleans-style restaurant without beignets?
The menu will be posted on The Quarter Restaurant website prior to opening.
A slight change in plans
In early July, McGraw said that the plan had been to open around July 21. That plan had to be adjusted when COVID delayed the delivery of supplies, including tables and chairs.
At that time, everything else was ready, according to McGraw. The construction was done, and he said then that they would leave the barricade up until they open, starting with a soft opening with no fanfare and then celebrating with a grand opening event at a later date.
Today, all tables are spaced for social distancing should any COVID restrictions be reinstated at a later time. All of the front windows of the building can be opened as needed, and the tables and chairs can easily be moved outside to the sidewalk.
Current plans are to have a grand opening in early October.
About The Quarter Restaurant
The Quarter Restaurant is currently hiring and accepting applications for all positions. Applicants can apply at quarterrestaurant.com.
The Quarter Restaurant is located at 126 E. Main St. in Belleville. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. They are closed Monday-Tuesday.
For more information, call 618-416-1000 or visit online at quarterrestaurant.com and facebook.com/TheQuarterRestaurant.
