Cancellations must be 24 hours in advance. We are Underground Dining with Chef Joy,
Nawlins Flava was conceptualized by Dr. Joy Spaulding during the summer of 2005 as a new magazine celebrating the uniqueness, the history, the art, the music, the magic, and the food of New Orleans, LA. The magazine's premier issue was scheduled to launch Sept 1st, 2005. However, Hurricane Katrina swept through
the city, devastating the city and its' residents. Dr Joy fled to Dallas just days before. After being overwhelmed with grief for the city, the people, and all New Orleans meant to her, Joy, who is also a chef, said "I have to go home and feed people. Spirit is leading me to go and cook." As soon as she and Sharron returned to the city, she ran into old friends on the neutral ground (the median on Rampart St.) while walking their dogs, who had decided to leave New Orleans, and Joy bought their coffee shop.
3 days later, Nawlins Flava Cafe opened on October 17, 2005, just 6 weeks after the storm and flooding. She started with 7 items on the menu, no licence, no professional kitchen equipment, just determination to do her part We were the 3rd restaurant to open in the city. "We had a time finding food and supplies, because everything was closed, destroyed or missing." The cafe became a sort of clubhouse. It was a few doors from a laundromat, and in between a bar and the Voodoo Temple. Chef Joy hired everyone she could who needed a job. Transients, teenagers, homeless, we were all in the same boat. Perfect strangers gave her food, clothing, household goods to give to others. Everyone shared whatever they had, and Joy fed the masses while the residents came looking for their homes, and loved ones. They fed residents, FEMA and other government officials, construction workers who came in to help rebuild, the homeless, transplants, everyone, and anyone, That was Flava's beginning, and it went on for five years hence. The menu went from 7 items to over 90. Chef Joy said, "People got tired of the same things, especially since they ate there 3 or more times per day. So whatever I could find, or have brought in got added to the menu." The restaurant had to close due to staffing problems, as well as, the BP oil spill. After much deliberation, Chef Joy continued to cook, but mostly catering and personal chef services, in addition to her other Holistic professions. Now Flava is Chef Joy's private Supper Club, a Underground Dinner Party that seats 8-12 people. Her culinary skills are impeccable, but moreso, flava-filled! Whether you attend the Thursday night family dinner - which is an informal but amazing family style feast, or come to Friday or Saturday night dinner service - with the 3 course option at 6PM or the 7 course option at 8:30 - you'll will leave the tiny space full, renewed, and spiritually blessed.
***BYOB! Complementary beverages are provided,along with a palm reading, and a gift to treasure comes with every seat. Be prepared to pay an 18%+ gratuity for services. We are also a Magazine Publishers, Printers, Producers and Life Coaches, Holistic Healers under the umbrella of Unlimited Joy, Inc.- a non-profit organization dedicated to education, life coaching, success, motivation, holistic healing, metaphysics, hypnotherapy, and personal development.
