Ten years ago this November, a couple who met while working at Commander's Palace in New Orleans unlocked the doors of a new Creole restaurant on Jefferson Highway. Eliza Restaurant & Bar opened on Nov. 15, 2016, and it's marking the milestone the way a neighborhood restaurant should: by cooking the old favorites again.

A love story that started in a famous kitchen

Sally and Russell Davis began their careers at Commander's Palace, she in marketing and event planning, he in operations. A co-worker set up their first date, and they found they shared a love of food, wine and hospitality.

Russell opened Saltwater Grill in New Orleans' Riverbend in 2004, making the jump from operations to chef. Sally became a brand manager at McIlhenny Company, the maker of Tabasco, and traveled the country learning the South's food traditions. In 2015 they moved to Baton Rouge, Sally's hometown, and opened the restaurant they'd always wanted. They named it for their daughter.

The anniversary menu

From Monday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 14, Eliza is bringing back a collection of guest favorites and cocktails from its first decade. The throwback menu runs at both lunch and dinner, for one week only. Reservations are encouraged.

Today the kitchen is led by Executive Chef Hayden Guidry, a Lafayette native and Louisiana Culinary Institute graduate who started at Eliza as a line cook while still in school.

Then comes Réveillon

Eliza has served a Réveillon dinner every holiday season for ten years, and the 2026 menu runs Dec. 7 through Christmas Eve, at dinner only.

On a regular visit, look for gumbo ya ya, corn-fried oysters, shrimp and grits and Eliza crab cakes over corn maque choux. On Fridays at lunch, Caviar Fridays bring a Hackleback caviar service for $55.

Eliza is at 7970 Jefferson Highway and is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 225-349-8895 or book at elizabatonrouge.com. Here's to the next ten years of gumbo and crab cakes.

Photo courtesy of Eliza Restaurant & Bar.