Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans to Debut Reimagined Chemin à la Mer as a Louisiana Brasserie

A new chapter in the culinary story of Four Seasons Hotel & Residences New Orleans begins this fall as Chemin à la Mer, the acclaimed Louisiana restaurant from Chef Donald Link, moves to the hotel's first floor on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, debuting a refreshed dining destination open from lunch through dinner.

The move marks an exciting evolution for Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, transforming its signature lobby-level restaurant to embrace the energy of New Orleans from midday through the evening. With its new location and refreshed menu, Chemin à la Mer welcomes hotel guests, locals and the downtown business community to gather over leisurely lunches, convivial dinners and lively weekend brunches. A new restaurant concept for the hotel's fifth floor restaurant space will be announced later this year, joining Chemin à la Mer as part of the next chapter of dining at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans.

“Chef Donald Link shares our passion for excellence, authenticity and a genuine sense of place, which is why we are so excited to continue our partnership with him,” said Esther Oh Kostecky, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. “The reimagined Chemin à la Mer is a natural evolution of a successful collaboration, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences that feel distinctly New Orleans.”

For Chef Link, it is an invitation to reconnect with the local community while exploring the Creole flavours, ingredients and culinary traditions he loves about New Orleans.

"Chemin is very personal to me, and I'm excited about what's ahead for locals and visitors alike," said Link. "We want it to be the kind of place locals can call their own. A place where guests are greeted like old friends and want to come back again and again for everything from lunch to drinks to special celebrations."

A Louisiana Brasserie Rooted in French Creole Traditions

As a polished Louisiana brasserie, Chemin à la Mer blends the elegance of a French brasserie with the Creole, Cajun and Gulf Coast character of New Orleans. The restaurant’s story begins with the river, the great crossroads that drew French, Spanish, African and other cultures to New Orleans, each bringing culinary traditions that continue to shape the city’s food today. Elegant yet vibrant, polished yet relaxed, the restaurant strikes a balance between old-world sophistication and the easygoing spirit of the city.

The menu will retain several beloved Chemin à la Mer favourites, including duck confit, Ora King salmon, pan-roasted drum and Chef Link's Creole gumbo, while introducing new dishes that further explore the restaurant's French-Louisiana point of view. New offerings will include shrimp étouffée, crab and artichoke au gratin, moules frites and lapin au moutarde, while an expansive dessert station will feature French-inspired classics such as vanilla bean crème brûlée and chocolate mousse alongside flambéed crêpes Suzette to create a touch of spectacle in the dining room.

The bar program will draw inspiration from classic New Orleans drinks through a distinctly French lens, pairing familiar local influences with refined French sensibilities. Highlights will include a Green Fairy-style absinthe flip, a Brandy Crusta and a reimagined French 75, alongside brasserie classics such as citron pressé. The wine list will complement the menu, with a strong emphasis on French and other world wines.

On weekends, Chemin à la Mer will come alive with a jazz brunch, bringing together New Orleans music and the convivial spirit of a classic brasserie.

Lunch will play a central role in Chemin à la Mer's new identity. Inspired by the leisurely lunches Chef Link has enjoyed in Paris, the restaurant will offer a setting equally suited to a business meeting, an extended lunch with friends or an afternoon with nowhere else to be.

“Lunch is a sport in Paris,” said Chef Donald Link. “We wanted to bring that spirit to New Orleans, creating a place where guests can sit down, enjoy a great meal and take their time.”

A New Chapter at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

As part of the expanded culinary partnership with Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, Chef Link will also oversee the food menu at Chandelier Bar, bringing his culinary perspective to another of the hotel's signature gathering places.

The culinary team at Chemin à la Mer will be led by Executive Restaurant Chef Brody LeBlanc, with Link Restaurant Group alumni Chad Ortis serving as Restaurant Manager.

Chef Donald Link has spent more than three decades championing the food and culture of Louisiana and has helped shape the culinary landscape of New Orleans and beyond. Most recently, Link was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation Award nominee for Outstanding Restaurateur, recognizing his continued influence and leadership in the restaurant industry.

With the holiday dining season just around the corner, there has never been a better time to return to Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans for a memorable meal.

Chemin à la Mer will open for lunch and dinner beginning Wednesday, September 23, with weekend jazz brunch to follow. For reservations, visit the website, call 504-434-5898 or email cheminalamer.neworleans@fourseasons.com. For more information visit cheminalamer.com or follow on Instagram @cheminalamer.