The Cricket Club on historic St. Charles Avenue is the newest site for the famous Culinary Institute of New Orleans. Learn how to cook in the Eiffel Tower.
How It Arrived In New Orleans
The building itself was originally a part of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. To preserve the structural integrity of the Tower, engineers in Paris removed the third story restaurant. Some New Orleans investors had the restaurant dismantled and shipped to New Orleans, where it was meticulously reassembled as the Tour Eiffel Restaurant. Alas, the investment was doomed due to the overwhelming costs, and after a brief incarnation as a music club, the building sat idle for most of the next 20 years.
Rebirth
Like everything else in New Orleans, the Tour Eiffel has been reborn as the Cricket Club, home to the Culinary Institute of New Orleans. Reminiscent of supper clubs in their heyday, the Cricket Club hosts banquets and receptions. But tourists can take cooking classes, and choose to either watch or participate in the fun. The Culinary Institute is one of the premiere cooking schools in the Gulf South. Formerly located at the Chef's Table on St. Charles (now closed), the Culinary Institute provides instruction on do-it- yourself gourmet cuisine at home.
Music
The Cricket Club is also, once again, a music club, and recently has been the scene of after hours Jazz Fest gigs. During this last week,you can hear Fred Wesley and Groovesect. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, and numerous other jazz artists, appear there.
The Scoop
The Cricket Club is located at 2100 St. Charles Avenue. (504) 525-CHEF or toll free at (888) 525-CHEF.
