1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. (Central City) 504.568.1157. Credit Cards. 7 days: 11am to 3pm. The recipes at Cafe Reconcile burst with butter & Creole seasoning, which means traditional New Orleans neighborhood cooking. We're talking poboys, gumbo, rice & beans, catfish & chicken served with a broad choice of sides (cornbread, collard greens, okra, potatoes, mac & cheese and more). They also serve a Bananas Foster Bread Pudding that comes close to clocking the Fairgrounds. Atmosphere is pleasant & relaxed with an open kitchen & high ceilings & a clientele dominated by people who work for local nonprofits. That's no coincidence. Cafe Reconcile is a nonprofit restaurant, training "at-risk" youth in the hospitality industry while providing an array of social service programs for the neighborhood. It's a successful project (in business since 1996) & they serve an excellent, affordable lunch. The surrounding Central City neighborhood, which is in a constant state of redevelopment, is dominated by vacant lots & empty buildings. Take a cab.
