Vicky Bayley, a co-owner of Mike's on the Avenue, believes the New Orleans post-Katrina, post-spill restaurant scene is stronger and more innovative than ever.
"Sometimes when you lose everything, you take more chances, because you're not afraid anymore," she said. If anyone can speak to the evolution of New Orleans restaurants, it's Ms. Bayley. Together with Mike Fennelly, chef and co-owner, she opened the original Mike's on the Avenue in 1991 and was credited by many with bringing Asian fusion to New Orleans. After a successful decade, they closed Mike's to pursue other projects.
Now, 10 years later, the two have reunited in the same location, right off the bustling French Quarter.
"It was like coming home," Mr. Fennelly said. "I had done my wanderlust and ran all over the world — and I got sick of it.