Brennan's Restaurant - New Orleans, LA (Banana's Foster and the Ghostly Staff)

417 Royal St.

New Orleans, LA 70130

29.956237,-90.066725

www.brennansneworleans.com 

            Of the many fine dining establishments commonly found in New Orleans, one of the top spots to visit has always been Brennan’s Restaurant. For a brief moment, the restaurant was temporarily closed, due to a legal battle amongst owners. Fortunately, the closure did not last long, as the restaurant has recently reopened to its former splendor. I have had the privilege of dining here numerous times and it is hard to pick a place that is better, as the dining experience had here is truly a joy, not to mention the amount of intriguing history that has taken place within these walls.

            The extensive history of Brennan’s dates way back to December 3, 1794, when Gaspar Debuys and Huberto Remy purchased the land at 417 Royal Street from Angela Monget. It is

Historic photo of the building that would become Brennan's
Photo courtesy of www.nola.com

uncertain as to what building or establishment sat here at this time, due to the fact that only five days later, one of the two great fires of New Orleans ravaged through the city, destroying the building. On January 8, 1795, Don Vincente Rillieux, the great-grandfather of the French artist Edgar Degas, bought the charred ruins from Debuys and Remy. Rillieux constructed a grand mansion on the grounds which would later be sold to Don Jose Faurie. On January 26, 1805, Faurie sold his house to Julien Poydras, who was the president of the newly organized Banque de la Louisiane. He soon converted his new purchase into a bank, which became the first official financial institution in the city.
            The bank was lavishly remodeled with intricate wrought iron and wood work. The bank would ultimately be sold on October 5, 1820 to Virginian, Martin Gordon, clerk of the United States District Court. He would turn the ornate bank into an even more beautiful home which would be known to host some of the most lavish political parties in the city. Dignitaries flocked from all around, including General Andrew Jackson, to rub elbows with the other elites of society.

A look at one of the lavish dining rooms.

            However, we all know that when you ride like lightning you’re going to crash like thunder. The constant highlife-living would soon catch up to Mr. Gordon as financial issues would get the best of him. In 1841, the Citizen’s bank seized the home and was sold to Judge Alonzo Morphy. If that last name seems to sound familiar, don’t worry, you’re not going senile. Judge Morphy was the father of world champion chess player, Paul Morphy. As you may remember, Paul was raised in the famous Beauregard-KeyesHouse that we mentioned earlier. However, it is here on Royal Street where he passed away in the bathtub due to a stroke on July 10, 1884.
            As the rest of the Morphy family passed away or moved, the estate was sold to tobacco mogul and banker, William Ratcliffe Irby. Irby, being a member of the Board of Administrators for Tulane University, donated the home and property to the university in 1920. Tulane was in possession of the home until in 1954, it was rented to Owen Edward Brennan, who ultimately would purchase the building and convert it into the grand

Just one damn bite is all I need!

restaurant now known as Brennan’s and the birthplace of the delicious desert, Bananas Foster! If you’ve never had the joy of tasting this delectable dish, it is a rich and flavorful dream for confectionary connoisseurs and a nightmare for diabetics!  

            Beyond the phenomenal food and extensive history, lay a multitude of hauntings that are said to reside here. The most common of the hauntings is of a man simply known as LeFleur. It is rumored that after realizing he would lose his home to creditors, he went mad and left his home to make funeral arrangements for he and his family. He returned home, murdered his wife and son and then hanged himself from the large chandelier in the dining area now known as the Red Room. His portrait is hung in the restaurant and staff has reportedly witnessed his apparition roaming through the building with the same drab gaze on his face as in the painting.

Former chef, Paul Blange,
one of many resident spirits.

            Our beloved chess player, Paul Morphy, is also said to still linger in the home in which he passed away in. Another entity rumored to still haunt Brennan’s is former Chef Paul Blange, who was so devoted to his job that when he died, his spirit remained in the kitchen where he spent most of his life perfecting his true passion. Staff has felt his presence on numerous occasions, often catching a quick glimpse of him through the kitchen area as he suddenly vanishes.             Stroll down to the massive wine cellar and you may encounter the ghost of former wine master, Herman Funk. He played a crucial role in maintaining one of the largest wine selections in the city and truly loved his job. Once he passed, his spirit remained as a way to carry out his meticulous devotion to the extensive wine collection. Staff have often been uncomfortable going to the wine cellar at late hours of the night and the sounds of clinking wine bottles have been frequently heard when no one is around.
            It is uncertain as to how many more unknown spirits may still reside at Brennan’s, as the haunted tales are literally endless. In the meantime, it is highly recommended you visit this restaurant, if for nothing else, an incredible dining experience. The food is incredible and that damn Banana’s Foster is….well, you know….to die for!