Photo by Cheryl Gerber

When Liz Williams was asked to nominate her top five most celebratory places in New Orleans, she had to give it a lot of thought. After all, as president and director of the Southern Food and Beverage museum (SoFAB) and a native New Orleanian, she is very well acquainted with both local cuisine and celebratory customs.

In addition, as an attorney, her work revolves around food—the legal aspects, economics, policies and culture associated with food. Besides her diverse careers in the food world, she is most certainly a foodie herself!

In her nominations she chose to avoid some of the city’s more obvious pleasure palaces and instead came up with a thoughtful few that had an even more special place in her own personal New Orleans’ dining repertoire.

But the glitz isn’t far from the gumbo as Williams finds at places like Atchafalaya (a laid-back, comfortable environment for family or friendly celebrations); Liuzza’s by the Track (get your gumbo and other down-home goodies here); Cochon (trendy and high energy is the equation here with sophisticated, upscale Cajun fare); and Café Degas (a quasi al fresco setting with fabulous French bistro cuisine and a rustic ambience); and the number one favorite celebratory New Orleans restaurant—the legendary, sixty-five-year-old Camellia Grill.

Camellia Grill? So maybe you didn’t grow up in New Orleans and hit the eatery’s Formica countertops after midnight on prom night or after a Mardi Gras ball at two in the morning or beyond. Ketchup on your ball gown or prom formal? No problem! A small price to pay when the jukebox is blaring and everyone is in a celebratory mood they’ll remember—however hazily—for the rest of their lives.

Williams recalled such moments with far more clarity than many others can summon.

“I remember going there and watching the cooks pull out the ground meat to shape the hamburger patties prior to cooking our burgers. My favorite was the waffles,” she said, “and I still love them. You can’t get them just anywhere. They were a favorite late-night treat.

“Camellia Grill represented a late-night place we could go to get actual food as opposed to a bar. No alcohol is served, so it’s safe for young people,” she said. “I have recollections of guys in tuxes and girls in formal ball gowns following Mardi Gras balls, eating burgers and waffles and sausage,” she said.

“Earlier in the evening, you’d been at the big party—the main event—you had a really good time, but now you’re winding down,” explained Williams. “The food at the soiree you’d attended was like an afterthought, not very satisfying. Now, you’re having this very special meal with a ‘real’ napkin accompanied by your closest buds.

“These experiences become part of life’s most absorbing and treasured moments,” she continued, “to recall over and over again, and, if you’re lucky enough, to repeat.”

Camellia Grill
626 South Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA
(504) 309-2679

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