north of nola restaurant and bayou bar
Bringing authentic flavors of New Orleans to Hampton Beach, North of NOLA Restaurant & Bayou Bar (3 D St., Hampton, 601-8612, find them on Facebook) features the culinary prowess of owner and chef Sonny Vasquez, himself born and raised in the Big Easy. Just off the intersection of D Street and Ocean Boulevard, the eatery is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, boasting a menu of items like shrimp and grits, gumbo, jambalaya, po’ boys, burgers, scrambles and more. Vasquez, whose wife Cassy has owned and operated Ginger & Clove with her sister Angelica on Lafayette Road in Hampton since 2021, said creating North of NOLA’s concept was simple — a community space centered around delicious, home-cooked food. “I opened these doors because I believe in feeding people and giving them an experience that they deserve,” he said. “They work hard for their money and they deserve a great meal. That’s a passion that’s been instilled in me since I was a baby.” Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Vasquez said, his family moved to Washington State for a time before ultimately returning to the Seacoast, where Cassy is from. North of NOLA is his first restaurant as owner. The Scene recently caught up with Vasquez to talk about how his first few months are going and some additional plans he has in store for the space.
How long has North of NOLA Restaurant & Bayou Bar been around?
[We opened on] July 5.
What makes North of NOLA Restaurant & Bayou Bar unique?
We’re unique because there’s nothing like us around. It’s not just Cajun food or Creole food — it can be spicy if you want it to be spicy, but it’s not. It’s just flavorful and savory and delicious. … I’m not reinventing the wheel here. I’m cooking plates that I grew up knowing how to cook and that I love. Jambalaya, etouffee [and] gumbo [are] all the staples of New Orleans that you’re going to find here. … By next year, we’re going to be full-on New Orleans. I’m going to have it all — bread pudding, beignets, and I’m going to have alligator on the menu. We’re going to do all kinds of crazy stuff.
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
My shrimp and grits. I’ve done it in so many different styles. … I don’t even know how I thought of it, [but] I’ve taken the grits and I’ve completely rearranged the style and turned it into a cake, then I do a marchand de vin sauce and, oh, my God, I didn’t even know I could cook this good. … Man, it was good, but the problem is that it’s a nap on a plate. You eat my shrimp and grits, you’re going to sleep after!
What is one thing that everyone should try?
It’s definitely the shrimp and grits, but if you’re in the mood for a burger, I make that same Marchand de Vin sauce over the burger. … People are going crazy over this burger. It’s this delicious patty with shrimp and I make this little UFO fried cheese ring … that just gives it another level of complexity. It’s messy, it’s delicious, and it’s N’awlins.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at North of NOLA Restaurant & Bayou Bar?
I’d love to see [former New Orleans Saints quarterback] Drew Brees here — my captain, No. 9. I’d love to have him in here and to feed him and his beautiful family. I’d blow their minds — they’d probably move here to Hampton just to have this food every day!
What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?
Showing up, clocking in, being there [and] believing in something that’s bigger than you. … I believe hard work is a gift, and every day that I wake up, I thank God for giving me this breath of life, and I clock in. But that’s not just at work, that’s anywhere. I see you in need, I help. … That’s what I’m put on this Earth for, to help people. [Hurricane] Katrina taught me that.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
The community. The community reminds me of home and where I grew up — everybody pulling for each other and doing good by each other. … I’ve really appreciated the support since we’ve landed here in Hampton. We’ve had nothing but support, from people rooting us on and helping us out, even just to get these doors open. It’s been amazing, and it’s been a blessing.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of North of NOLA Restaurant & Bayou Bar in Hampton NH
