Devillier Hospitality Group Announces New Uptown Restaurant

Daughter's Neighborhood Italian to open in historic Upperline space in fall 2026

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:54pm

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Mia and Justin Devillier, the husband-and-wife team behind acclaimed La Petite Grocery, announced Daughter's Neighborhood Italian, a refined yet approachable Italian American restaurant set to open in fall 2026 in the historic former Upperline Restaurant space in Uptown New Orleans.

Why it matters

The opening of Daughter's Neighborhood Italian marks a rare generational transition of a deeply rooted New Orleans restaurant property, as the Devilliers take over the iconic Upperline space that has been shaped by restaurateur JoAnn Clevenger over decades. The new restaurant aims to honor the building's storied past while creating a new identity that serves the Uptown community for generations to come.

The details

Daughter's will feature a menu that blends the warmth of Italian American red-sauce traditions with elevated technique and high-quality ingredients, drawing from both Italian tradition and New Orleans influence. Chef de Cuisine Blake Scherer, a longtime sous chef at La Petite Grocery, will lead the kitchen alongside James Beard Award–winning chef Justin Devillier. The approximately 100-seat restaurant will include a dedicated bar program, multiple private dining spaces, and will be open for dinner service nightly, weekday lunches, and Sunday brunch.

  • Daughter's Neighborhood Italian is set to open in early fall 2026.
  • The restaurant is currently undergoing a complete restoration and buildout.

The players

Mia and Justin Devillier

The husband-and-wife team behind acclaimed La Petite Grocery, who are opening Daughter's Neighborhood Italian.

Blake Scherer

The chef de cuisine who will lead the kitchen at Daughter's Neighborhood Italian, alongside James Beard Award–winning chef Justin Devillier.

JoAnn Clevenger

The restaurateur who has shaped the Upperline Restaurant space over decades, which will now transition to the Devilliers' new concept.

Joel Dondis

The business partner of the Devilliers, whose daughter is also honored in the name of the new restaurant.

Studiowest

The architecture and interior design firm working on the Daughter's Neighborhood Italian project.

Arch Builders

The general contractor for the Daughter's Neighborhood Italian project.

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What they’re saying

“Daughter's is both deeply personal and rooted in family heritage. I'm a third-generation Italian American, and in recent years, my family has spent time reconnecting with our Italian relatives. This restaurant is a continuation of that journey — a way to honor and share that history through food and hospitality.”

— Mia Devillier, Co-owner and director of operations

“We're blending the warmth of Italian American red-sauce traditions with the standards, quality, and creativity that Chef Blake brings to the table. These are dishes people know and love, but executed with the same care and refinement we've brought to La Petite Grocery over the past two decades.”

— Justin Devillier, James Beard Award–winning chef

What’s next

The restaurant is currently undergoing a complete restoration and buildout, with an anticipated opening in early fall 2026.

The takeaway

The opening of Daughter's Neighborhood Italian represents a significant generational transition for a beloved New Orleans restaurant property, as the Devillier family brings their acclaimed culinary expertise and commitment to family-focused hospitality to the historic Upperline space.