thrillist

Opening Thursday from the crew behind Jet Wine Bar, Rex 1516 is GHo's new southern eats standard-bearer, a 35-seater that pairs an interior reminiscent of a derelict mansion (wrought iron chandeliers, antique mirrors, distressed woodwork) with a Mobile-bred chef-prepped menu that covers all the Deep South culinary bases, from the Carolina salt marshes to the Louisiana swamps, and all points in between -- though if LSU's last bowl performance is any indicator, there are no points.

Better-than-Cracker-Barrel noms will include a crawfish pot pie from a recipe so secret it was stolen from the chef's mom; a Serrano ham-smothered mac & cheese (w/ Gruyere, Fontina, and Swiss); plus thick slices of mushroom-sauced roasted pork loin stuffed w/ cornbread & sausage, much like 2010 Kirstie Alley's lower half.

Meanwhile at the wood-paneled marble bar, they'll use their Jet knowledge (shutdown corners, power running game, so-so quarterback) for some choice reds & whites, plus dole out sub-Mason-Dixon classics (i.e. Mint Juleps, Lime Rickeys) and customs including the Cognac/elderflower/Angostura Elderex and the dark rum/lemon juice/maraschino Planter's Punch.

Because you need an excuse to drink on a Sunday morning, alone, again, Rex'll do brunch featuring eats like a duck confit/chorizo/taleggio omelette, which LSU should be able to help make, what with their innate ability to lay eggs.

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