Alba Ray’s Goes All-In on Bottomless Cajun Brunch, Ending Dinner Service

Mission Street’s slice of Bourbon Street, Alba Ray’s, is shaking things up, ceasing dinner service and focusing on a weekend-only, all-you-can-eat (and drink) brunch. The change is based on the success of the format during Mardis Gras, so in a sense, it’s always Fat Tuesday at Alba Ray’s now (at least on Saturdays and Sundays).

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends, Cajun food and beverages are unlimited for $42 per person. Think boudin Benedicts, jambalaya, soufflé pancakes, beignets, and so forth. Drinks are bottomless, too: Frozen Irish coffees, mimosas, and bloody Marys.

The bad news: Chef/partner Adam Rosenblum is serving the restaurant’s final dinner, at least for a while, this Sunday, March 31. Alba Ray’s is “reconcepting” — restaurant industry speak for changing the menu, maybe the name, and perhaps other elements of Alba Ray’s, reopening for dinner this fall.

Alb Ray’s opened in early 2017, serving NOLA classics at 2293 Mission Street. It underwent a light remodel in the fall and some menu updates. Whatever’s next could have elements of NOLA, but won’t be quite so focused on it, a representative says.

That’s been the direction in which Rosenblum has trended: “When we were opening I wanted it to be really true to New Orleans with traditional items,” he told Eater SF in the fall as he started to incorporate more Northern California elements into the menu. “We’re becoming a little more seasonal, a little more comfortable in our skin.”

• Here’s Your First Glimpse of Alba Ray’s, the Cajun Beauty Opening in the Mission Tonight [ESF]
• Alba Rays Debuts New Look and Menu Ahead of 3-Day Party [ESF]