At Checkered Parrot bar and restaurant on Prytania Street, state stops construction

On Feb. 25, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors issued a stop-work order for the Checkered Parrot, a two-story bar and restaurant under construction on Prytania Street near Touro Infirmary.

The first Checkered Parrot, now closed, was in the French Quarter. Construction began in the summer 2012 on the second location at 3629 Prytania St.

A spokeswoman for the state licensing board said a stop-work order was issued "because the contractor was acting as a contractor without a license." The issue remains under investigation. A date for a hearing has not yet been set.

According to the state licensing board and various media reports, the Checkered Parrot is owned by Mark Morad.

Last May, Morad was charged with Medicare fraud by a federal grand jury.

Morad also operates the Italian Pie restaurant across the street at 3706 Prytania St.

That Italian Pie location is currently closed for "systems modifications," according to a sign posted outside, and will reopened in "approximately 710 days."

The recorded message on the Prytania Street Italian Pie's phone was less specific, stating "if we answer, you will know we are reopened."

Morad could not be reached for comment. The number listed on the Checkered Parrot website was temporarily disconnected.

The Checkered Parrot is franchised by the same company that operates the Fire of Brazil chain in Atlanta and Latin America. A Fire of Brazil restaurant in the French Quarter closed in 2008.

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At Checkered Parrot bar and restaurant on Prytania Street, state stops construction