General Information

1860

Jean Marie Saux first constructs a coffeehouse at 900 City Park Avenue.

1893

Saux sells his coffeehouse business to Fernand Alciatore, 3rd son of Antoine Alciatore, founder of Antoine's Restaurant. Alicatore turns the coffeehouse into one of New Orleans' finest restaurants "A La Renaissance des Chenes Verts" or "Rebirth of the Green Oaks."

Alciatore hosts the "Tenth Grand Festival and Fete Champetre" under the oaks at City Park. New Orleans' most prominent residents including Jean Galatoire of Galatoire's Restaurant attend the feast.

1901

Alciatore sells his business to famous restaurateur Justin Tujague, of the Tujague's Restaurant family. Manager Irene Dours first courts the fancy ladies of Storyville as well as young families as patrons.

1912

Frank Lamothe, longtime proprietor of the building Jean Marie Saux helped construct, open's City Park Tavern (AKA "Old Reliable").

Lamothe hosts the annual "Ball of the Two Well-Known Gentlemen" a masquerade ball where fancy ladies and society ladies mixed and mingled. The Tavern is shuttered at the end of the Storyville era (1917).

1985

After seventy years of darkness as a dining facility (the building was used in the late 70's / early 80's as a bar), Jack and Martha Sands reopen the building as "Tavern on the Park."

2003

The historic building is purchased by Ralph Brennan and undergoes extensive renovation and reopens as Ralph's on the Park in December 2003.