Historical past, horns, and hospitality hit completely different in Episode 2 of TV One’s Savor The Metropolis as Chef Jernard Wells explores the rebirth of a real cultural cornerstone, New Orleans’ Dew Drop Inn, and we’ve bought unique deets!
Not solely is it historic—however extra importantly, it’s nonetheless right here, it’s nonetheless Black-owned, and it’s nonetheless setting the vibe for town.
Not Only a Venue—A Motion
Situated within the coronary heart of New Orleans, the Dew Drop Inn is a boutique mattress and breakfast and reside music venue the place soul lives in each nook.
Initially opened in 1939 by Frank Painia, the Dew Drop performed host to icons like Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Fat Domino—legendary artists who carried out when segregation saved them out of white-owned golf equipment. However this place wasn’t nearly music—it was a barbershop, lodge, secure house, and a cultural hub for a neighborhood that created its personal lane.
“You’ve got civil rights historical past, for example, that’s groundbreaking, revolutionary—issues that occurred proper right here in these partitions,” says present proprietor Curtis Doucette Jr., who now leads the cost in preserving and elevating the Dew Drop’s legacy.
He offers Chef Jernard a private tour and retains it actual about what this house meant then—and what it’s turning into now.
“I all the time knew Black folks couldn’t go to white areas,” Curtis shares. “However…white folks couldn’t come to Black areas both.”
That revelation reframes what the Dew Drop really represented: a secure, celebratory house for all, born out of resistance and radical pleasure.
Why This Episode Deserves Your Full Consideration
The Dew Drop Inn isn’t simply name-dropping historical past—it’s historical past. Opened in 1939 by visionary Frank Painia, this place was doing all of it: nightclub, barbershop, lodge, and secure haven for Black entertainers and vacationers at a time when choices had been restricted however the expertise was limitless.
Behind the scenes, civil rights leaders like A.P. Tureaud and Dutch Morial had been strolling the halls and shaping the motion. Painia wasn’t afraid to stir issues up—actually getting arrested for permitting white company inside, difficult segregation one entry at a time.
However this isn’t only a story about what was. The Dew Drop has been superbly restored and is now serving poolside vibes, reside reveals, and boutique stays—nonetheless deeply rooted in Black tradition, however open to everybody who appreciates the legacy. It’s not a throwback—it’s a comeback. And Chef Jernard bought a entrance row seat to all of it.
Then & Now, the Vitality Hits the Similar
Nonetheless, Savor the Metropolis doesn’t reside up to now—it builds on it. Chef Jernard catches the band tuning up, soaks within the vibrant vitality, and reminds us why areas just like the Dew Drop should be protected and spotlighted.
Curtis displays on how integration, whereas vital, shifted the way in which many Black patrons supported their very own. As alternatives opened elsewhere, some started to look outdoors their neighborhood, considering they had been gaining extra by doing so.
“The white man’s ice is colder,” he says—a saying that reveals simply how deep that mentality ran.
However right this moment, that vitality is shifting. There’s a renewed sense of satisfaction in uplifting the locations that formed our tradition—and welcoming everybody to expertise the legacy.
From the stage lights to the restored rooms, the Dew Drop is prospering.
And the menu? It’s hitting. The Dew Drop brings that basic New Orleans soul—suppose creamy Creole gumbo, fried catfish filled with crab, or the new honey rooster! Plus, the drinks on display regarded stellar!
For the actual candy foodies, please notice that they provide a white chocolate bread pudding—that’s the way you finish a meal. It’s not only a vibe—it’s a full plate.
Chef Jernard closes out the episode with gratitude and reverence, reminding us that meals, music, and place are all a part of the identical recipe: one rooted in tradition, resilience, and pleasure.
Take an unique look beneath!
About Chef Jenard’s Savor The Metropolis
Get able to embark on a flavorful journey with Savor The Metropolis, the thrilling new way of life collection hosted by superstar chef Jernard Wells!
Impressed by the historic Inexperienced E-book, this present is your passport to exploring the wealthy tapestry of Black tradition throughout America and past.
Be a part of Chef Jernard on TV One as he breaks bread with particular company, uncovers hidden gems, and indulges in every part from avenue eats to five-star feasts at prime Black-owned eating places.
Every episode presents a VIP expertise by vibrant cities, spotlighting the folks, locations, and plates that make every cease unforgettable. From soulful tales to mouth-watering meals, Savor The Metropolis invitations you to find tradition, neighborhood, and delicacies, one chunk at a time. #SavorTheCity
New episodes drop each Thursday at 8 p.m./7p.m. Central. We’ll be again subsequent Friday to recap extra Black-owned excellence—identical time, new plate.
