Save Gabrielle Restaurant

From March of 1992 until August 27, 2005 we owned and operated a wonderful restaurant in New Orleans, LA. called Gabrielle. Located in a historic residential neighborhood known as Faubourg St. John, the restaurant was destroyed by the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and the eventual failure of the U.S. federal levee system.

After the storm and a dispute with our insurance company, we decided to sell the gutted building that was home to Gabrielle for nearly 14 years. In order to move the restaurant, we made an investment in a more suitable commercial property, 438 Henry Clay Ave. in Uptown New Orleans, two blocks from our home. After purchasing the building and the 60 year old business that operated there (The Uptowner, Inc.) we encountered not only discrepancies in the zoning and permitting process with the City of NO, but also unforeseen opposition from the "politically" powerful. In the words of Edward Horan, zoning administrator for the New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits, the city "issued (The Uptowner, Inc.) a restaurant license even though they're not licensed to be a restaurant."

City officials believe that a zoning change is required for the Sonnier`s to operate Gabrielle Restaurant in The Uptowner's building. This would require a public hearing before the City Planning Commission, and a "Yea" vote by the 7 member City Council.

We need your support in successfully completing this process so that we may return to our passion and livelihoods as restaurateurs!