I’m so stoked to find out that Antoine’s Creole Maison Restaurant is opening up at 2819 Hennepin. I was disappointed when Taj of India closed, but this is even better! I was disappointed when Copeland’s downtown closed, too. I know it’s a chain and all, but I really liked it.

From the Southwest Journal:

A new restaurant is in the works at 2819 Hennepin Ave. S., formerly home to Taj of India. A sign on the door states Antoine’s Creole Maison Restaurant will serve “home-style Louisiana French Creole cuisine.”

Antoine’s owner Diane Ruona said she expects to open this fall; Taj’s owner sold her the business in mid-September. She described the Creole cuisine as including gumbos, shrimp and crawfish, Po’ Boy sandwiches and jambalayas.

Ruona, a Lafayette, La. native and current Bloomington resident, said she’s longed to open a restaurant in Uptown. “This was the first location on my list,” she said. Ruona said she likes the trendy neighborhoods and the different array of people. “This is my life-long dream,” she added.

At her restaurant, she’ll serve lunch and dinner, in addition to offering take-out and catering. To emphasize the Southern theme, Ruona is also creating a bayou replica - complete with a stuffed gator - to go in the restaurant’s center. (She added that Antoine’s would not serve gator.)

Hours will be Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. (open till 10 p.m. on Friday); Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-9 p.m. For more information, call 871-2262.

I wonder if Antoine’s will have Hurricanes.