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**Update** November 11, 2005. It’s confirmed, here is a tribute at the Times-Picayune:
Katrina Lives Lost – Joseph Casamento Jr.
I’ve learned Mr. Joseph Casamento Jr., proprietor of Casamento’s Restaurant on Magazine Street passed away on the night Katrina hit. I found out via Mr. Lake’s Nonpompous New Orleans Food Forum, who found out via, author Poppy Z. Brite’s blog Dispatches from Tanyanyika.
Another huge loss to New Orleans. How is it possible that this is the first we’re hearing of this??!! Their website doesn’t say anything regarding his passing, although it does say they are slated to reopen between November 15th andNovember 22nd. We can only hope it’s not true, about his passing, but that’s wishful thinking.
The above photo is of Joseph Casamento Sr. and his son Joseph Casamento, Jr. from the Time Life book, American Cooking: Creole and Acadian. Mr. Joe Jr. is pictured in the right foreground, taken around 1971.
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I spoke to C.J. Gerdes today and he says they want to post a remembrance on their site, but have been unable to get in touch with their web guy. I gave him the name and e-mail of mine.
Thanks for the info Poppy, hopefully they can get that up soon using your guy. Besides your post at Dispatches, and the one at the TP, I haven’t seen much about Mr. Joe. It’s a shame.
Nice to “see” you, I’m a big fan of Liquor and Prime, can’t wait for Soul Kitchen.