Chef Chris Montero

Executive Chef & General Manager

When Chris Montero decided to become a professional chef at the ripe old age of forty, he had the distinct advantage of being descended from generations of gifted New Orleans Creole home cooks plus some youthful training under a few grand old New Orleans culinary giants. His entire 'mature career' has been with Ralph Brennan, starting with over a decade at BACCO. He went on to serve as executive chef of the relaxed and congenial cafe b in Metairie, where he took the familiar to a whole new level of goodness, by creating his own refined interpretations of homey comfort foods and New Orleans favorites.

Today, he is proud to be Ralph Brennan's first chef at the helm of the Napoleon House kitchen, following the spring 2015 transition of ownership from the family that had maintained the beloved New Orleans landmark for over 100 years. With his own centuries-deep roots in New Orleans cuisine, Montero is right at home preserving the distinctive menu of Napoleon House, long dominated by an "Italian grocery" sensibility, while bringing the ingredients in line with the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group's insistence on fresh and local sourcing. Montero also oversees Ralph Brennan's cafe NOMA in the New Orleans Museum of Art, where, in the bright and stylish cafe, bar, and lounge, arts patrons can extend their rarified sensory experience to the refreshments.

"Great foods! Incredible drinks! Astonishing vibe! Cool crew! This a historic landmark and definitely needs to be on the to do list when visiting New Orleans. We had hot steak poboy, italian garlic bread, Jambalaya, and rice and beans. The food was really tasty and flavorful. Lots of local beer to select from and Delicious cocktails. Serve time was pretty fast! And the price, reasonable."

- Babak K.

"Delicious food - all around. We are from Chicago and could not believe how affordable everything was, while not sacrificing on taste. Highly recommend!"

- Jess F.

"We stumbled upon this place while wandering around the French Quarter. It looked like the bar they filmed the Haunted Mansion in - we asked and it was! Keith was behind the bar and took such great care of us we came back the next night. The history of the building is fascinating, the food was delicious. We cant wait to come back on our next trip!"

- DeeDee C.

"Great great great Italian Muffuletta..did I mention it was great. Also you gotta try their Pimm's Flight."

- GPK

"Great food. Very nice ambience, feels like you're in a very cozy cottage eating back in the days. Dim lights and really overall cool environment. Fast service and very kind. I recommend for a great lunch or dinner. "

- Hanye C.

"The food was amazing and delicious. The Boudin Sausage appetizer is amazing and I seriously want to take a bath in the Steen's Mustard that it comes with. The alligator po boy is worth killing for. And the chocolate cake is worth dying for. The jambalaya and red beans and rice made excellent dishes to split."

- Sumner B.

"This is one of my favorite NOLA quarter spots. The authentic ambience is lovely, the food -- muffulettas are their specialty -- is great, service is friendly & efficient. They are open for lunch too. Try a Pimms cup and top it all off with their bread pudding!"

- Lucinda J.

"Went here my first night in New Orleans. Tried the alligator sausage po boy and bread pudding. Both 10/10 Cant wait to come back when I visit! Also really surprised at how affordable the food is given how beautiful the restaurant looks, not to mention the service was friendly as well. "

- Krystal S.

"Best sandwiches and at amazing prices in the French quarter. Theres a ton of history here and the chef came out to tell us about how the building used to be an import market and was owned by the first elected mayor of New Orleans. Try the muffuletta, and enjoy the walk through New Orleans history."

- Leah

"Fantastic. Super good food. Great service. Great drinks."

- Donald W.

"My favorite place in the Quarter. We think it's the best muffuletta in the city."

- Alannah Arnold B.