the Restaurant
Justine is a brasserie in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Opened by husband-and-wife team Justin and Mia Devillier, Justine combines the sophistication of Parisian brasseries with the playfulness of the South’s most lively district.
“A French Quarter restaurant has been a longtime dream of ours, and finding this space conjured up a vision for a boisterous, glamorous French restaurant,” says Chef Justin Devillier, the 2016 James Beard Award-winner for Best Chef: South.
Located in the May & Ellis building (formerly the Hurwitz Mintz building), recently the recipient of a historic preservation design award, the café side opens to the Chartres Street sidewalk, emulating the quintessential Parisian-street experience with daytime fare. The kitchen room is anchored by two large communal tables for a shared dining experience, overlooking the kitchen led by Chef & Owner Justin Devillier. Two additional spaces, an intimate back dining room and outdoor dining area lush with greenery, provide ample dining options in the 200-seat restaurant. In the antique-brass and smoked-mirror embellished bar room, Bar Director Jesse Carr has crafted a menu driven by the drinking culture of France: simple and classic, with a focus on the spirits beloved by French families.
True to the heart of French brasserie culture, the bustling, multi-roomed restaurant offers a versatile space to be enjoyed by all, whether it’s for a weekday lunch, afternoon glass of wine, or celebratory dinner.
Our Team
Justin Devillier
Chef/proprietor
Chef Justin Devillier is the Chef/Owner of La Petite Grocery and Justine in New Orleans and the 2016 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South.
Devillier was raised in Dana Point, California, a small beach town in South Orange County. He spent summers fishing for Yellowtail and Albacore tuna, and in the fall and winter he would dive for lobsters just steps from his front door. This bounty of local seafood inspired him to enter the culinary industry, and after working in local restaurants right out of high school he decided to focus all of his time on becoming a chef. In 2003, Devillier moved to New Orleans in search of a vibrant restaurant community. He cooked in the kitchens of Bacco, Stella and Peristyle, where he learned the intricacies of French cuisine from his mentor, Chef Anne Kearny-Sands.
In 2004, Devillier joined the team at La Petite Grocery as a line cook and was promoted to sous chef after one year. Following Hurricane Katrina, he helped re-build the restaurant’s infrastructure, and in 2007 was promoted to executive chef. A short three years later, Devillier and his wife Mia took over ownership of the restaurant, housed in a century-old building with a storied history. At La Petite Grocery, Devillier puts his creative spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine with dishes like Turtle Bolognese, Panéed Rabbit, and Blue Crab Beignets. In 2014, he was awarded “Chef of the Year” by New Orleans Magazine.
In early 2019, the Devilliers opened Justine in the New Orleans’ French Quarter. The bustling, food-hall style gathering place is the realization of Devillier’s long-time dream to open a restaurant in the South’s most lively district. Balancing sophistication and exuberance, his menu features the classic, crave-able dishes found in the brasseries lining the streets of Paris with bold presentation.
In his free time, Devillier is an avid fisherman and hunter, and loves spending time at the beach with his wife and three young daughters.
Mia Freiberger-Devillier
Director of Operations/Partner
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Mia Devillier moved to New Orleans in 1996 to attend Loyola University. After receiving a degree in Business Management and Marketing, she worked as a manager with Martin Wine Cellar for three years before returning to school at the University of New Orleans for a Masters in Accounting. Upon graduating, Devillier worked as a tax accountant with Deloitte for three years.
Even during her professional career in business, Devillier has always held various positions in the service industry spanning 19 years – most notably with the House of Blues and in restaurants such as Lilette, Juan’s Flying Burritos and Marigny Brasserie. She joined La Petite Grocery in 2009 as General Manager, and she and her husband, Chef Justin Devillier, took over ownership of the restaurant in 2010. During her tenure, La Petite Grocery has also been included on Brett Anderson’s “New Orleans’ Top 10 Restaurants” list by The Times-Picayune for 2011 through 2017, and in 2016, Chef Justin Devillier was the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South.
In early 2019, the Devilliers opened Justine in the New Orleans French Quarter. Justine is a brasserie reminiscent of those found on the streets of Paris, combining the sophistication of French culture with the playfulness of the French Quarter. The Devilliers spent time in Paris to hand-select the details for the multi-roomed space, which houses a sidewalk café, open kitchen, and intimate bar. The Devilliers aim to create a bustling space enjoyed to by all, whether it’s for a weekday lunch, afternoon glass of wine, or celebratory dinner.
Devillier attributes her passion for food and wine to her late father, Harley, and her knack for Southern hospitality to her late grandmother, Peggy. In their honor, she continues her pursuit of providing memorable dining experiences at her two restaurants, La Petite Grocery & Justine.
