AT RANDOM: Brian Antoine

By Rabyn Ratliff

October 21, 2007 10:49 pm

— In the hustle and bustle of today’s working society, it’s sometimes hard to find time for a vacation. It would seem that even when money does allow, time and responsibilities often won’t.
But in a progressive city like Valdosta, one growing with culture and diverse people, the opportunity to get away is sometimes closer than we think — sometimes just a walk away.
A trip across the world or just across the United States can be had in the 30 or 60-minute lunch break many of us take for granted. From Thai cuisine, to Mexican and Greek, to Jamaican, and now, the Creole flavor of New Orleans, new experiences are continuing to grow and await us right here in this city.
Brian Antoine, a New Orleans native and local restaurant owner, is bringing the flavor and feel of New Orleans to this city. Here is his story.

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Walking into the Flavor of New Orleans Restaurant Friday, I couldn’t help but be taken away immediately. I’ve never visited the city, but Lord knows I’ve heard about it, and I knew that this is what it had to be like over there.
Somewhere in the shops on Bourbon Street, there had to be brick buildings just like this one. Inside them, there had to be these same feathered masks, hanging along walls colored with rich shades of gold, green and purple. Over there, on Bourbon Street, the paintings must look like these, having blue-shaded characters holding mellow instruments, each picture invoking the spirit of jazz.
I imagine that somewhere on Bourbon Street, probably everywhere actually, this same tempting aroma of spiced rice, sweet baking bread and slow simmered meats has to fill the air. I imagine that’s what keeps the visitors there much longer than they’d initially planned to be, and the taste of it all must be what keeps them long reminded of the place on their way back home.
For Brian Antoine, New Orleans is home, although he is growing to love the city of Valdosta after he and his family relocated to the area just over a year ago.
“I was born and raised in New Orleans, and when the hurricane came, both my job and my wife’s job were destroyed,” said Antoine, who worked for the Postal Service for 17 years. “We were given the option to relocate and we chose to come here. I really enjoy the small-town atmosphere of Valdosta, and that there are still all the modern conveniences.”
Nestled in the heart of downtown Valdosta, Antoine’s restaurant keeps him surrounded in an atmosphere of home while bringing the genuine and unduplicable flavor of New Orleans to this city.
“I love New Orleans, and what I love the most would have to be the music, the sounds, the food, the atmosphere. All together, that’s the flavor of New Orleans, and that’s why people keep going, and why they keep coming back to the city,” said Antoine.
I’m not sure how many plates of gumbo, jambalaya and fried catfish I saw pass from the kitchen Friday while sitting in his restaurant amid the customers, who sat two and three to a table, seeming to share conversations unrelated to work.
“The best thing about New Orleans that I hope to introduce is the food,” said Antoine. “I’ve been all over the states and world, and no matter where you go, when someone says New Orleans, people get hungry,” he said. “The thing is, you can go nearly anywhere and find a Cajun place, but if you’ve ever had real New Orleans cuisine, you know there’s nothing like it.”
For Antoine, who has been cooking for his family and friends since his youth, creating a good meal is nearly religious, as he puts his heart and soul into every dish.
“Creole cuisine – true Cajun cuisine – is a combination of French, Spanish and African spices, and everything we use here is fresh, from the vegetables to the French bread and sausage, which I order from New Orleans, ” he said. “We must chop at least 20 boxes of onions a day, and boxes of bell peppers and celery. In New Orleans, we call that the holy trinity. It goes in everything.”
In the months that he was preparing to open the restaurant, Antoine says he made several trips back home, visiting Creole restaurants and sitting with other chefs to compare his recipes for the traditional New Orleans dishes. Because of that, Flavor of New Orleans is to him, like an ambassador restaurant for his home city, and through the full-flavor experience of good food, entertainment and service, he hopes to share the taste of New Orleans with everyone who visits.
“This location, here downtown, reminds me of the quarters on Bourbon Street actually, with the old-style buildings and all the people walking through every day,” said Antoine. “I know that some of the restaurants in this area here have higher prices, and that’s fine, but I’m not trying to make the most money or be compared to others. I want this restaurant to be a place where the everyday person can come and enjoy a good meal.”
As the first restaurant owner in his immediate family, Antoine hopes to be an inspiration to his children, as they all work together to bring the family flavor of New Orleans to Valdosta.
“I’ve found the one thing that always brings people together is food. There is nothing better than good food, family and friends,” he said. “ My family is super important to me – my mom and dad, my wife, sisters and brother all came down to help me get started, and I’m training my sons here each day. I hope to show them something other than working hard at a job. I want to show them that when you are doing what you love to do, you can do it even when you’re tired, because it’s not working — it’s your passion.”
Speaking of friends who have helped to support his vision, Antoine is thankful for the local support of the Chamber of Commerce and Scott Manley of Valdosta State University, while developing a plan for his business.
“When I first looked into the business, the Chamber of Commerce was extremely helpful through their Seeds program, and they provided free consultations and demographic information about the people passing through this area, which made setting up my business plan very easy,” Antoine said. “And Scott Manley of VSU’s Business Department, this gentleman gave up hours and hours of his time to help me prepare the best possible plan. Not being from here, I couldn’t believe that they would help me like that. They really showed me the hospitality and beauty of this city.”
In the weeks ahead, as Antoine looks to fill his restaurant with live jazz and blues, soulful singers and spoken poetry, as well as a full bar serving the best drinks New Orleans, he looks to complete the Big Easy atmosphere of the Flavor of New Orleans Restaurant.
“After the food of New Orleans, the second thing people remember about the city is the friendly, festive atmosphere of the place,” Antoine said. “I have never heard anyone say that they came to New Orleans and had a bad time, and that’s the same feeling I want people to get from my restaurant and service. When people come, no matter who they are – from suits and ties to everyday people – I want them to feel welcome and comfortable, and I want them to have a good time. I want them to feel New Orleans.”

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