Billy Blatty at Kira
Photo by Maddie Spinner / Gambit
Billy Blatty is a local hospitality pro with a vision and a stream of new ideas — including most recently, the December opening of Kira. The high-concept lounge and restaurant is good for date night or girls’ night out. He calls it “vibe dining.”
Blatty has been a player in the local dining and nightlife scene for more than 25 years. Kira is his idea for the space that used to house Mister Oso.
Kira
What
Kira
Where
601 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 335-1740; kiranola.com
When
Lunch Fri., Dinner Thu.-Tue.
How
Dine-in
Check it out
A mix of Mediterranean and Japanese dishes
“I lean toward creating an experience where fostering emotional connections among people at the table is a primary objective,” he says. “To achieve this, all elements — staff, food and drink— must be in rhythm and impeccable.”
At Kira, the reimagined design of the space is impressive. The pergola-like ceiling is covered with hand-strung wooden beads, adding texture and movement to the space. There’s a glowing bar and lots of nooks and crannies with different kinds of seating options.
The room curves around groups of tables, and a DJ sets the beat on the weekends. Lighting is intentionally low.
“Our intent is a dusk-like atmosphere — some of the most flattering light there is,” Blatty says.
The restaurant seems to appeal to a younger crowd, although posting on social media may be tough. The lighting isn’t optimal for taking photos, and the menu warns against using flash photography.
The menu is an interesting mix of broadly Mediterranean cuisine with the addition of Japanese ingredients and techniques. Silky slices of raw hamachi perch on fried sticky rice cakes. There’s a changing fish tiradito with yuzu and tuna tartare served with nori for guests to make their own bite-sized handrolls.
On the cooked side, bang bang shrimp served with romaine lettuce is a crowd pleaser, while the massive wagyu tomahawk steak, which comes with chimichurri and labneh, is a big ticket item and a highly shareable entree at $215. Tender wagyu koftas are a skewered meat option from the Japanese robata grill, which also is used for spiced Gulf shrimp and lollipop lamb chops.
Many prices hover in the $20s, and a section called “slutty vegetables” contains the best bargains, with offerings like an outstanding roasted cauliflower served with cashew nut dipping sauce. Shaved baby Brussels sprouts keep their crunch, and there’s a seasonal tempura-fried vegetable option. A mezze board includes garlicky hummus with fried chickpeas and a tasty eggplant baba ghanoush.
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The menu of original cocktails ($16-$19) has interesting drinks with names like Aphrodisia, a riff on a pina colada, and the Smoking Gun, a Japanese take on a Sazerac.
A good way to try Kira is the $50 three-course lunch offered on Fridays, with choices of appetizer, main course and dessert.
One of Blatty’s earlier concepts, Sofia, a stylish Italian eatery on Julia Street, continues to thrive nearby.
Kira opened in a 10,000-square-foot building that has been home to several of Blatty’s concepts, including Barcadia, a retro gaming concept driven by ’80s nostalgia.
“It became clear that that demographic doesn’t go out anymore,” Blatty says. “The longevity just wasn’t there.”
That was followed by Mister Oso, an ill-fated Mexican restaurant opened with former partners in the Denver-based Culinary Creative Group. The concept continues to crush in the Mile High city, but it didn’t work out in New Orleans.
The massive space also is home to the Asian-themed nightclub Ohm Lounge. Soon Kira Omakase, offering a chef’s tasting, will join the mix.
Dining and Cooking