Antoine’s: A family tradition

Marlon Barden, who has worked at Antoine’s Restaurant for five years, sets the table in the Rex room. His brother worked there before him.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Casie Blount is the social director and assistant sales and marketing director. One of her favorite rooms is the 1840 room, which includes many historical paintings.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Antoine’s Restaurant bills itself as the longest continuously family-run restaurant in the nation.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On St. Louis Street in the French Quarter, Casie Blount and grandmother Yvonne Blount talk about the neighborhood they love.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Waiter Charles Carter, who started working at Antoine’s Restaurant when he was 15 years old, serves Casie Blount, who has lunch with her father Rick Blount, 55, the chief executive of Antoine’s.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Waiter Derrick Roberts, center, jokes around with Casie Blount and her grandmother as he arrives for work.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)