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Miss Ella of Commander's Palace
"I don’t want a restaurant where a jazz band can’t come marching through."
Meet Ella Brennan: mother, mentor, blunt-talking fireball, and matriarch of a New Orleans restaurant empire, famous for bringing national attention to Creole cuisine. In this candid autobiography, she shares her life. From childhood in the Great Depression to opening esteemed eateries, it’s quite a story to tell.
When she and her family launched Commander’s Palace, it became the city’s most popular restaurant, where famous chefs such as Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, and James Beard Award winner Troy McPhail got their start.
Miss Ella of Commander’s Palace describes the drama, the disasters, and the abundance of love, sweat, and grit it takes to become the matriarch of New Orleans’ finest restaurant empire.
James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ella Brennan was born in 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana. From her first job at the age of eighteen working in her brother’s bar, she has spent her entire professional life in the restaurant business, with her crowning achievement being the Commander’s Palace restaurant. She has two children, Ti and Alex, and still lives in New Orleans.
Ti Adelaide Martin is the daughter of Ella Brennan. Raised in New Orleans, she has followed in her mother’s footsteps and is now co-proprietor of Commander’s Palace. She remembers her mother “always hosting these lavish parties at our house,” she recalls. “There were always lots of interesting people there from around the country, many from the culinary world.”
Meet Ella Brennan: mother, mentor, blunt-talking fireball, and matriarch of a New Orleans restaurant empire, famous for bringing national attention to Creole cuisine. In this candid autobiography, she shares her life. From childhood in the Great Depression to opening esteemed eateries, it’s quite a story to tell.
When she and her family launched Commander’s Palace, it became the city’s most popular restaurant, where famous chefs such as Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, and James Beard Award winner Troy McPhail got their start.
Miss Ella of Commander’s Palace describes the drama, the disasters, and the abundance of love, sweat, and grit it takes to become the matriarch of New Orleans’ finest restaurant empire.
James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ella Brennan was born in 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana. From her first job at the age of eighteen working in her brother’s bar, she has spent her entire professional life in the restaurant business, with her crowning achievement being the Commander’s Palace restaurant. She has two children, Ti and Alex, and still lives in New Orleans.
Ti Adelaide Martin is the daughter of Ella Brennan. Raised in New Orleans, she has followed in her mother’s footsteps and is now co-proprietor of Commander’s Palace. She remembers her mother “always hosting these lavish parties at our house,” she recalls. “There were always lots of interesting people there from around the country, many from the culinary world.”
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2016
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529 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 9, 2016
"Yes, you can make plans, but then you discover that life seldom gives a damn."
I am infatuated with New Orleans. But my love is not short lived. So maybe besotted is more like it. My passion for the city knows no bounds. I like to say that we still haven't been to all restaurants we want to try, seen all the bands, explored all the places. The city is limitless. But that changes on my next trip. After reading the rich history of Ella Brennan - she's fascinating - & the Brennan family and Commanders Palace it will definitely be a stop on our next trip. Our vacations to New Orleans are a little different than they were before we became parents but we still soak the city in by attempting to try a new restaurant each time, visiting old favorites and always buying Louisiana music and going to a local bookstore. This past Thanksgiving I bought this newly released book by Ella B and her daughter Ti. This starts from her life as a child and covers up until present day. I don't think you have to love New Orleans and New Orleans food to enjoy this story about family, life and the rigor and joy of running a restaurant. But it's so much more than that. I loved learning about everything. Ella Brennan wasn't trained in the business but had an intellectual curiosity that made up for formal training. Her mission was to make CP into a place with not only amazing food but impeccable service, where people are comfortable and have a good time. I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. There are so many interesting stories here about a life fully lived. And to top it all off she still lives next door to CP with her sister Dottie and their kitchen deliver meals to order. She's already in heaven as far as I'm concerned.
I am infatuated with New Orleans. But my love is not short lived. So maybe besotted is more like it. My passion for the city knows no bounds. I like to say that we still haven't been to all restaurants we want to try, seen all the bands, explored all the places. The city is limitless. But that changes on my next trip. After reading the rich history of Ella Brennan - she's fascinating - & the Brennan family and Commanders Palace it will definitely be a stop on our next trip. Our vacations to New Orleans are a little different than they were before we became parents but we still soak the city in by attempting to try a new restaurant each time, visiting old favorites and always buying Louisiana music and going to a local bookstore. This past Thanksgiving I bought this newly released book by Ella B and her daughter Ti. This starts from her life as a child and covers up until present day. I don't think you have to love New Orleans and New Orleans food to enjoy this story about family, life and the rigor and joy of running a restaurant. But it's so much more than that. I loved learning about everything. Ella Brennan wasn't trained in the business but had an intellectual curiosity that made up for formal training. Her mission was to make CP into a place with not only amazing food but impeccable service, where people are comfortable and have a good time. I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. There are so many interesting stories here about a life fully lived. And to top it all off she still lives next door to CP with her sister Dottie and their kitchen deliver meals to order. She's already in heaven as far as I'm concerned.
June 22, 2022
“You train animals, but you teach people.” This idea has become a hallmark of our business. I work to earn your trust and respect, and you work to earn mine.”
“To me it means hospitality, and hospitality is at the root of our business. To be successful you have to really love and care for people. If you don’t want to be around them, if you’re a loner, then don’t go into this business.”
I enjoyed reading Ella’s stories of New Orleans’ history, festivals, food, traditions, music, people and restaurants. The Brennan family—wow—I had no idea they were such a powerhouse of strong, driven, smart and talented individuals. And Ella always seemed to be the life of the party! Her passion for life, good times and good conversation never ends. She’s a voracious reader too. I love how she made copies of articles and news she found important—then distributed them to all of her family members and staff to read.
Ella shares an intriguing view of the restaurant business. Excellent book for those going into the hospitality business. And I definitely have a list of restaurants and new places to look for the next time I’m in New Orleans!
“To me it means hospitality, and hospitality is at the root of our business. To be successful you have to really love and care for people. If you don’t want to be around them, if you’re a loner, then don’t go into this business.”
I enjoyed reading Ella’s stories of New Orleans’ history, festivals, food, traditions, music, people and restaurants. The Brennan family—wow—I had no idea they were such a powerhouse of strong, driven, smart and talented individuals. And Ella always seemed to be the life of the party! Her passion for life, good times and good conversation never ends. She’s a voracious reader too. I love how she made copies of articles and news she found important—then distributed them to all of her family members and staff to read.
Ella shares an intriguing view of the restaurant business. Excellent book for those going into the hospitality business. And I definitely have a list of restaurants and new places to look for the next time I’m in New Orleans!
April 15, 2018
Commander's Palace is an institution in New Orleans, the grand dame of restaurants, and Miss Ella is one of the forces behind it becoming so. Having had some magnificent meals there, it was like learning more about an old friend to read this memoir. I've never met her, but now I want to! I loved reading her experiences and philosophy about how to run a business and build a cohesive team. Delightful.
January 6, 2019
This autobiography was an incredibly fascinating and humorous read. In addition to providing details of Ella Brennan’s culinary contributions, it also explained her love for life-long learning, outlined her philology for mentoring while always pushing everyone to give best efforts and reinforced the importance of strong family bonds. There is no doubt Ella was an amazing person who truly lived life to the fullest!
May 7, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about "Hurricane" Ella's life in New Orleans. (But of course I pretty much love all things NOLA related).
February 28, 2020
Great book! Lots of New Orleans gossip and obvious love for the city! Can’t wait to see the restaurant again now that I can look through Ella’s eyes!
June 13, 2022
2022 bk 178. This is exactly the type of biography I enjoy reading. It was a throwback to the design style of the 1950's/early 1960's in the chapter heading images. It was all about the joy of growing up and living in New Orleans - true, life was sometimes very hard. Ella Brennan chose to be joyful, to surround herself with family and friends. This book reflects her positive attitude in presenting the best of the people she loved to serve at the Brennan restaurants and the folks in the restaurant industry. Her daughter reflected that Ella Brennan had worked 6 1/2 day weeks for fifty years at the time of her retirement - and I believe she found joy in each of those days. It was lovely seeing glimpses of Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and Tory McPhail and the other chef's who worked the Brennan restaurants. A great joy to read!
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March 26, 2022I have watched her change people’s lives in a single conversation. She has a way of talking to you and making you feel capable of things you never dreamed of. More than that, she makes you feel you’d be letting yourself down if you didn’t give your very best to accomplishing those things.
Her whole thought process is about what she can learn or do—she’s an original thinker. She wants to learn from the recounting of your past. She reads biographies and autobiographies all the time. But the recounting of her own history is boring to her.
Somehow, my mother and father parceled out their love and attention to all of us in equal measure so that my siblings and I never felt neglected nor favored over one another.
Her whole thought process is about what she can learn or do—she’s an original thinker. She wants to learn from the recounting of your past. She reads biographies and autobiographies all the time. But the recounting of her own history is boring to her.
Somehow, my mother and father parceled out their love and attention to all of us in equal measure so that my siblings and I never felt neglected nor favored over one another.
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June 17, 2022Brennan's and New Orleans
You can not go to New Orleans without eating a meal or two (or three) at a restaurant run by someone from the Brennan family! You can't help but wonder how the restaurant can produce such fantastic food, wine and drinks (not to mention the ambiance and service!) This book written by Ella Brennan and her daughter Ti Martin tells about the large Irish family, the evolution of the multiple restaurants, and the community ties to New Orleans. it's a fascinating read and will make you want to head to New Orleans.
You can not go to New Orleans without eating a meal or two (or three) at a restaurant run by someone from the Brennan family! You can't help but wonder how the restaurant can produce such fantastic food, wine and drinks (not to mention the ambiance and service!) This book written by Ella Brennan and her daughter Ti Martin tells about the large Irish family, the evolution of the multiple restaurants, and the community ties to New Orleans. it's a fascinating read and will make you want to head to New Orleans.
January 5, 2023
Having been a fan of New Orleans for many years now and a frequent patron of at least two of the Brennan’s restaurants (Palace Cafe and Mr. B’s Bistro) this was a welcome read. I especially enjoyed Ella’s family stories, and could easily identify with the wonderful privilege of growing up in a big family. The fact that her mom cooked such extraordinary fresh dishes everyday showed the legacy of the family’s devotion to food and serving others. Such knowledge, such devotion and networking. No wonder the family has known unprecedented success. Long live the Brennans!
September 16, 2023
Perhaps my expectations were just off, or I'm more of a curmudgeon than I realize, but I had serious trouble gaining traction with this story. The first half centers on Ella's large extended family, which didn't interest me much. When she gets into the restaurant business it's a combination of more family members (the next generation), as well as quite a bit of name-dropping. Had I bailed on it, I wouldn't have missed much. Target audience seems to be those with a strong interest in New Orleans (as a city), and regional foodies.
July 16, 2024
I’m a pastry chef and think everyone should read this book. A real honest look at the industry and history of America and the world. Took me a year, only because I had to set it down because I would get too emotional. My maternal grandfather was born in 1926 and I was his favorite (also spent the most time with him).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2024
What a remarkable woman! And family, actually. This book immersed me in the life and times and food and people's lives of New Orleans. It's not all bananas foster and coffee with chicory though. The chapter about Katrina and its aftermath might need a trigger warning. I really enjoyed this book off my TBR shelf.
July 13, 2021
Love New Orleans
I enjoyed this book written so much about New Orleans and hospitality and helping people enjoy life where they are. It is interesting that Hurricane Katrina is mentioned, but not nearly as much as it could have been.
I enjoyed this book written so much about New Orleans and hospitality and helping people enjoy life where they are. It is interesting that Hurricane Katrina is mentioned, but not nearly as much as it could have been.
June 12, 2022
NO Lady...
Excellent book well written & very interesting! Enjoyed reading about the Brennan family. Have been to the Brennan's in Houston! Its a lovely restaurant & their pralines are delish!
Excellent book well written & very interesting! Enjoyed reading about the Brennan family. Have been to the Brennan's in Houston! Its a lovely restaurant & their pralines are delish!
July 15, 2022
Building Brennan,s
Would you like to build your own future? This book gives an insight into just that. It was informative, funny and interesting.
I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
Would you like to build your own future? This book gives an insight into just that. It was informative, funny and interesting.
I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
September 2, 2024
Read this for book club and was bored. It was well written, but jumped around a lot and constantly talked about people I’ve never heard of. I am not a restaurant follower, so many ch of it was uninteresting to me. Story of Ella Brennan and her family from birth to the end of her life.
June 4, 2022
Bam!
Not to shortchange the other great chefs but what a fresh drink this book is…anyone in business or just living their best life should read this!
Not to shortchange the other great chefs but what a fresh drink this book is…anyone in business or just living their best life should read this!
June 9, 2022
I enjoyed this fun peek into the New Orleans’ restaurant scene. Miss Ella drops a lot of names and recounts some high times. She was a true character, creole style!
July 23, 2022
Wonderful memoir.
I have been to New Orleans several times, this book taught me the history of the restaurants in the city. I fell in love with Miss Ella, what a wonderful LADY.
I have been to New Orleans several times, this book taught me the history of the restaurants in the city. I fell in love with Miss Ella, what a wonderful LADY.
May 16, 2025
Miss Ella, I hope you are having a blast holding court in that Saloon in the Sky. You have earned it!! ⚜️
December 29, 2021
This was a delightful read! I have been to the Brennan family restaurants many times during trips to NOLA and it was an absolute treat to learn more about the force behind these culinary institutions. “Hurricane Ella” was a remarkable woman. The stories she shared highlight her strong bond with her family and the ups and downs of building a business. I found myself smiling and feeling inspired from beginning to end.
Below is one of my favorite quotes from the book about how Miss Ella sees her restaurants. I have absolutely felt this way during my visits to Brennan’s and Commander’s and I also felt this way about the book – it was a fabulous experience and I felt like part of the party!
“Brennan’s and Commander’s were places where you were gonna come and have fun. And if you were laughing up a storm, and drinking a little too much, and running into people you knew, and somebody would knock over a glass of wine—all of that was normal and laughable, and everybody loved it. There was always something going on at Brennan’s/Commander’s. And it’s still that way to this day. Everybody is part of this party.”
Below is one of my favorite quotes from the book about how Miss Ella sees her restaurants. I have absolutely felt this way during my visits to Brennan’s and Commander’s and I also felt this way about the book – it was a fabulous experience and I felt like part of the party!
“Brennan’s and Commander’s were places where you were gonna come and have fun. And if you were laughing up a storm, and drinking a little too much, and running into people you knew, and somebody would knock over a glass of wine—all of that was normal and laughable, and everybody loved it. There was always something going on at Brennan’s/Commander’s. And it’s still that way to this day. Everybody is part of this party.”
April 20, 2017
Great read for this uptown New Orleanian
I really appreciated this book. It gave me a great nostalgia for my home city, New Orleans. I grew up going to Commander's for some holidays and special occasions. My family always spoke well of the Brennan's and their restaurants, and I'd always be super jealous when my dad informed me that he went to Commander's for lunch! Lunch! I couldn't imagine getting to do that.
Reading this book has just got me wanting to read more about New Orleans cultural history.
And this also reminds me I really need to go ahead and put in a reservation at Commander's Palace, even if we aren't going to be in New Orleans for another 4-6 months!
Thanks for all that you do Brennan family!
I really appreciated this book. It gave me a great nostalgia for my home city, New Orleans. I grew up going to Commander's for some holidays and special occasions. My family always spoke well of the Brennan's and their restaurants, and I'd always be super jealous when my dad informed me that he went to Commander's for lunch! Lunch! I couldn't imagine getting to do that.
Reading this book has just got me wanting to read more about New Orleans cultural history.
And this also reminds me I really need to go ahead and put in a reservation at Commander's Palace, even if we aren't going to be in New Orleans for another 4-6 months!
Thanks for all that you do Brennan family!
July 9, 2018
The story of Ella Brennan, her family and their restaurant history leading up to Commander’s Palace was a fun read! I love New Orleans, so it was interesting to hear the stories. Ella was a pioneer for women in the restaurant business. She’s full of good advice and good humor. I would recommend this to fans of New Orleans, as well as anyone interested in the idea of running a restaurant. Now I just have to get myself to Commander’s Palace!
September 2, 2017
I had just visited New Orleans when I read this - in fact that's how I learned about the book, by seeing it in the stores of gift shops and Commander's Palace restaurant. If you love New Orleans, or if you are a foodie, you will really enjoy this book. It is easy to read and the personalities and stories are really fun.
May 19, 2017
Incredible MBA worthy advice for the Hospitality Industry.
November 6, 2017
I'm a year late to this party .... love it, love it, love it.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
January 30, 2018
Enjoyed this book. Loved the history of Brennan’s and the family behind it! Great read for anyone in the people/hospitality business. And it’s New Orleans at its finest!!
February 12, 2018
I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading autobiographies. After reading "Miss Ella" and would so love to meet this amazing woman.
July 13, 2018
Loved this book. A remarkable woman who built a restaurant empire and faced all the challenges life handed her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews