julia street | WITH POYDRAS THE PARROT THE PURSUIT TO ANSWER ETERNAL QUESTIONS
Diamond Jim Moran, Rocky Marciano, and three unidentified men at Jimmy Moran’s La Louisiane restaurant
Dear Julia, In 1956, my mom’s graduating class took their senior trip to New Orleans via rail. They went to nearby Sallisaw, Oklahoma and boarded the Southern Belle, which was Kansas City Southern’s passenger train that connected Kansas City to New Orleans. Not only was it exciting to be riding a passenger train for the first time, but New Orleans would be the first big city she had ever visited. She even purchased a skirt with scenes of Paris on it to wear since she would be visiting America’s most French city. She fondly recalls the time her class had in the Big Easy. They took a bus tour of the city and toured the French Quarter, where her best friend’s portrait was drawn by one of the street artists. Because they were from Oklahoma, her friend’s Native American ancestry gave her a unique, exotic look. They also toured City Park and had a picnic among the live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. I am familiar with all of these locations but she has mentioned a dining experience at Diamond Jim’s restaurant, which was their one sit22
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JULY 2017 myneworleans.com
down restaurant experience in the city. I’ve been unable to find out anything about this restaurant. Obviously it no longer exists, but does she have the name right? If so, when was it in business, where was it located and what is located there now? I know my mom would love to know about the history of the restaurant since this trip was a special time during her youth. Robert Wilson Muldrow, Oklahoma Established in the 19th century and formerly associated with the Alciatore family of restaurateurs, La Louisiane had an established reputation for fine dining and well-known guests. When the restaurant changed hands in 1954, there were some new attractions on the menu – a largerthan life owner who was born James Brocato but better known as “Diamond Jim” Moran and the diamond-studded meatballs diners occasionally found on their plates. The 1957 photograph accompanying
this column was taken inside La Louisiane the year following your mom’s visit. It shows Diamond Jim in all his glittery glory, sporting a mink tie, jewel-encrusted horseshoe-framed glasses and a bedazzled dental appliance. The less shiny gentleman seated in front of him is boxer Rocky Marciano. “Diamond Jim” passed away in 1958 at the age of 61. Following his demise, his sons took over, selling in 1978 to Joseph Marcello, Jr. and Nick Mosca who revived at La Louisiane the menu of their Elmwood Plantation restaurant. 725 Iberville has since changed hands. The name La Louisiane has survived and the renovated site currently operates as a meeting and event location. Julia Street, As a young boy growing up in the St. Thomas Housing Development we often went to Magazine Street for retail shops, movies, etc. I have fond memories of going to the Happy Hour theatre, the Dairy Queen, Baehr’s Bakery and Sciortino’s poultry market. On occasion my parents used to visit the various bars and dance places that lined Magazine Street between Jackson Avenue and St. Andrew Street. One in particularly comes to mind: the Fun House. My question is do you have any information on the Fun House? What was its exact address, when was it established, how long did it stay in business, etc. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Adrian Deshotel Skillman, NJ
photo Courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection Gift of the Estate of Todd Claxton
