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SPRING RESTAURANT GUIDE
2003

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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MAGAZINE PO-BOY SHOP
2368 Magazine St. 522-3107
Ever heard of a po-boy first thing in the morning? Stop by for a ham-and-egg or sausage-and-egg po-boy with homemade hash browns. For lunch there's the standard list of po-boys, plus daily plate lunches: Tuesday is baked chicken or lasagna, Wednesday is spaghetti and meatballs, and Friday is crawfish stew. Or go for a muffaletta or its non-traditional cousin, the muffaletta salad. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $

MALONEY'S RESTAURANT
5000 Old Gentilly Road 942-2400
Maloney's has just added gourmet pizzas to its menu of po-boys, plate lunches and other tasty down-to-earth meals. Try the seafood Alfredo pizza, barbecue shrimp or chicken pizza, or the muffaletta pizza, with Italian olive salad, pepperoni, pastrami, Italian sausage and six cheeses. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

MAMA ROSA'S SLICE OF ITALY
616 N. Rampart St. 523-5546
Tucked at the edge of the Quarter Mama Rosa's promises a great downtown spot for pizzas, calzones, and more that you'd swear came straight from Mama's kitchen. Mama's Everything pizza is topped with, well, everything. Mama's also has a great selection of desserts. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MAMA'S TASTY FOODS
1641 Louisiana Ave. 899-6162
Mama's has moved from its digs in Metairie to a new location on Louisiana Avenue, but the fried chicken is as good as ever. Among the many chicken dishes is Rona's Delight, where marinated chicken is served with either shrimp fried rice or French fries. Po-boy possibilities include catfish, trout, shrimp, and ham and cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

MANDE'S RESTAURANT
340 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville (985) 626-9047
For a good start to your day, dig into one of Mande's egg breakfasts: eggs Sardou, Florentine, Benedict and Cajun Benedict (featuring crawfish sausage) are just a few of the morning selections. At midday, there's hot plate lunches with comfort-food options including baked chicken, crawfish etouffee over rice or eggplant, and lots of salads and seafood choices. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

MANDINA'S
3800 Canal St. 482-9179
Step back into a memory of what neighborhood restaurants used to be. Since 1932, Mandina's hasn't changed a thing -- from the burgundy jackets on the waiters to the recipes for such New Orleans classics as turtle soup, trout amandine and bread pudding. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

MANGO HOUSE
8115 Jeanrette St. 862-5848
Chef-owner Anne Lloyd is used to travelling. She was enchanted with Belize as a child, but as an adult chef spent time at Gabrielle, Mr. B's and Lola's and even managed the Bluebird Cafe. She opened the Mango House in February as a nod to her childhood trips and to the Caribbean influence on New Orleans culture. Dine in the nautically themed space Ninja once occupied and sample such dishes as the jerked pork chop (a double-cut pork chop marinated and grilled) or the steamed fish (laced with garlic and ginger and wrapped in a banana leaf). Reservations for large parties. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Visa/MC/Discover. $

MANUEL'S HOT TAMALES
4709 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-6616
For comfort food and New Orleans tradition, it's tough to beat ordering at Manuel's pick-up window, and sitting on a nearby picnic table with a hot plate of all-beef hot tamales. If you want your spice in another form, try Manuel's homemade chili, tacos or nachos. Take-out only. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MAPLE STREET CAFE
7623 Maple St. 314-9003
This cafe has been delighting the neighborhood with its adventurous cuisine. Try the stuffed shrimp wrapped in phyllo dough for an appetizer, and for an entree sample the pepper-crusted duck breast with blueberry cognac sauce. A rotating list of daily specials adds to the culinary excitement. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, dinner Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MARCO POLO MARKET & DELI
1901 Audubon St. 862-7656
Maybe what Marco Polo was really looking for was a friendly deli that offers sno-balls year round and made-to-order waffles served all day long. It's worth exploring the menu of this Uptown delight, which has daily blue plate specials for under $5 and a roast beef po-boy that melts in your mouth. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

THE MARIGNY BRASSERIE
640 Frenchmen St. 945-4472
www.cafemarigny.com
The sleek decor of this Frenchmen Street hot-spot is home to a number of changing nightly dinner specials, so be on the lookout when the tempting stuffed flounder is offered. Off the main menu are favorites like the Gulf seafood paella, with the spicy Spanish dish coming loaded with jumbo shrimp, mussels and clams, served with saffron rice. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily and late-night Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MARISOL RESTAURANT
437 Esplanade Ave. 943-1912
www.marisol.com
The husband-and-wife team of Janis and Chef Pete Vazquez keeps the patrons coming into Marisol's with an ever-changing menu, patio celebrations in pleasant weather, live jazz brunch and special theme dinners in coordination with the city's festivals or seasonal foods. Thai-style coconut and crab soup is one of the menu's only mainstays. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

MARK TWAIN'S PIZZA LANDING
2035 Metairie Road, Metairie 832-8032
If Samuel Clemens were alive today, he'd surely wax poetic over the offerings at his namesake restaurant. Its inventive pizza and pasta options include the Creole pizza with shrimp, crabmeat, andouille sausage and zucchini, and the Mysterious Stranger topped with feta, spinach, either Canadian bacon or charisse (hot sausage) and your choice of vegetable. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $

MARTIN WINE CELLAR
3827 Baronne St. 899-7411
714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie 896-7300
www.martinwine.com
Martin's has a popular deli that offers an array of zesty sandwiches and guilt-free salads. The Sena salad is a favorite, with oven-roasted chicken, golden raisins, crumbled blue cheese, toasted pecans and mixed greens served with a pepper jelly vinaigrette. Dinners-to-go are also available, ranging from simple meat dishes to a clam, mussel and shrimp pasta served with a white wine cream sauce. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sundays. Credit cards and checks. $

MARTINIQUE BISTRO
5908 Magazine St. 891-8495
Chef-owner Hubert Sandot combines French and Caribbean influences and changes the menu every five weeks, assuring a new experience even for frequent customers. Regulars ask for one of Sandot's several signature versions of steamed mussels, and there's a fresh fish in a beurre blanc sauce nightly. Currently the chef is making a beef tenderloin with exotic mushrooms in a cognac cream reduction. Wines by the half-bottle are also available. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MAT & NADDIE'S
937 Leonidas St. 861-9600
This quirky Riverbend restaurant has a menu as inviting as its pre-Civil War cottage digs. The outside dining area seems almost like a neighborhood deck party, but with much better food. Try the organic, free-range chicken breast with a sun-dried tomato waffle and oyster Rockefeller sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MAURICE FRENCH PASTRIES
1114-A S. Carrollton Ave. 866-7052
3501 Hessmer Ave., Metairie 885-1526
Both Maurice locations offer specialty cakes and cocktail pastries, and customers can custom order cakes, including wedding cakes, year round. Chef-owner Jean-Luc Albin offers such tempting desserts as the Chambord cake, a light yellow sponge cake flavored with the liqueur, then filled with raspberry preserves and mascarpone and frosted with a white chocolate buttercream. No reservations. Open daily. Credit cards. $

MAW MAW'S KITCHEN
3674 Derbigny St. (behind Whitey's Pool Hall) 833-6297
This relatively new, take-out only restaurant is quickly creating a name for itself. Located one and a half blocks off of Airline Drive, Maw Maw's serves up home-style comfort food. Savory housemade New Orleans hot tamales are a house specialty, as is the roast beef; Wednesday evening is steak night, where Maw Maw serves up a juicy 10-ounce boneless ribeye for just $10. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

MAXIMO'S ITALIAN GRILL
1117 Decatur St. 586-8883
For nearly 17 years, Maximo's has made a name for itself down on lower Decatur Street for its expansive menu of Italian dishes. Chef Paul Cattoche has been a part of that success for nine years. The veal Cattoche is a 16-ounce T-bone pan-roasted with garlic and fresh herbs. The fresh fish is available fire roasted, grilled or sauteed. The housemade ravioli is a favorite as well. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

MCALISTER'S DELI
2701 Airline Drive, Suite T, Metairie 830-4030
The popular nationwide chain with about 100 locations hit New Orleans last year, offering a wide range of soups, sandwiches, overstuffed baked potatoes and salads. Consider the Spud Max: two baked potatoes pushed into one stuffed like a club sandwich with ham, turkey, bacon and cheese. Speaking of club, the McAlister's Club sandwich is a popular item. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MCNULTY'S BITTER END SPIRITS & FOOD
5129 Canal Blvd. 483-7930
This traditional Irish pub is located in Lakeview, where Canal Street meets Canal Boulevard at City Park Avenue. Man cannot subsist on Guinness alone, so the grill here serves up a selection of affordable favorites. As an appetizer, try the bangers, grilled sausage served with a mustard sauce. The 8-ounce burger is grilled to order and dressed on a fresh roll. No reservations. Dinner and late-night Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MELIUS BAR & CAFE
1701 Lake Ave., Metairie 828-9446
The day starts at Melius with coffee and donuts starting at 6 a.m. and served all day. The casual fare for lunch and dinner includes BLTs, hamburgers, and a rotating list of daily specials such as red beans and rice on Mondays. The place really starts hopping at night and doesn't close till 3 a.m. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday; late-night Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MICHAEL'S MID-CITY GRILL
4139 Canal St. 486-8200
Locals who frequent this neighborhood eatery agree that Michael's cooks up a mean burger. Varieties include cheese, mushroom, hickory-smoked, chili and Swiss onion, and each is made to order. The most unique burger offering is the Big Bucks Burger -- it costs $150, but comes with a bottle of Dom Perignon. Grilled chicken, fish and steak dishes, fried seafood, sandwiches and homemade soups available daily are also big sellers. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MICHAUL'S LIVE CAJUN MUSIC RESTAURANT
840 St. Charles Ave. 522-5517
www. michauls.com
Michaul's recently revamped its menu, but you can still groove to live Cajun music nightly while enjoying Cajun and Creole dishes between sets. For an entree, try the catfish pecan laced with lemon-butter sauce or the chicken Michele, seafood dressing on a boneless chicken breast with Swiss cheese baked over the top. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MID CITY LANES ROCK 'N' BOWL
4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-3133
www.rocknbowl.com
The tasty menu selections at this bowling alley/music club/eatery deliver lots of flavor and all the energy you need to dance or bowl the night away. Order the "super bowl of gumbo" -- it's chock full of turkey, andouille sausage, smoked sausage, shrimp and oysters. Or try the crawfish quesadilla, a blend of crawfish etouffee, cheese and optional jalapenos. The menu also includes pizza, jambalaya, Buffalo wings, chili cheese fries and sandwiches. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MIDDENDORF'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Hwy. 51 North (exit 15 off of I-55 North), Manchac (985) 386-6666
This is a great old place to go for seafood between LaPlace and Pontchatoula. The time-tested recipes call for a pleasantly light touch with the fryer, allowing diners to enjoy the full flavor of the best shrimp, catfish, oysters, softshell crab and frog legs that Louisiana has to offer. Middendorf's whole Gulf flounder comes stuffed with crabmeat dressing in a lemon-butter sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

MIDI SOUTH OF FRANCE
614 Canal St. (The Grande Hotel of New Orleans) 527-6712
www.midirestaurant.com
French food and jazz were made for each other; over the next three months Midi will entertain patrons with Marva Wright on Fridays and Sista Teedy on Saturdays. Try the newly added braised Colorado lamb shank or the crusty basil salmon (served with green lentils in a beurre rouge sauce). Catch lunch specials six days a week and a weekday lunch buffet, with a Friday emphasis on seafood. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily, champagne-jazz brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

MIKE ANDERSON'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
1 Poydras St. (Riverwalk Marketplace) 522-7727
215 Bourbon St. 524-3884
www.mikeandersons.com
Both locations have great seafood, but the specialties differ slightly. Stop by the Riverwalk location for the South Louisiana Combo: boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, catfish, crawfish etouffee, hush puppies and coleslaw. Or head over to Bourbon Street to try the oysters Bienville, topped with shrimp and crabmeat dressing and Parmesan cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MIKE SERIO'S PO-BOYS & DELI
133 St. Charles Ave. 523-2668
The list of more than 50 po-boys here run the gamut from the standard (shrimp, catfish, roast beef) to the offbeat (Reuben, Cuban, alligator sausage, smoked turkey). Non-sandwich offerings include daily lunch specials such as meatloaf, grilled chicken, crawfish etouffee and stuffed bell peppers. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MIKIMOTO
3301 S. Carrollton Ave. 488-1881
Mikimoto's affordability is the biggest draw to this Carrollton hotspot. The $1 sushi roll is a daily special and a favorite of bargain lovers everywhere. The list of sushi is extensive and creative. The Crunchy Dynamite roll has tuna, salmon, chile sauce and tempura crunchies. Along with sushi, the lunch crowd at Mikimoto can enjoy chicken Katsu that includes a choice of soup, salad or rice. Try the drive-through window for sushi-on-the-go. Delivery available. Reservations accepted. Lunch Sunday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MILANO PIZZERIA
3002 Cleary Ave., Metairie 780-7500
Specialty pizzas are the main event here, but don't overlook Milano's selection of 11 wing sauces including Caribbean, Chinese and Thai. Other favorites include the seafood lasagna with crawfish, shrimp, ricotta and seafood sauce. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

MIMI'S ITALIAN & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
10160 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge 737-6464
Last May, Chef-owner David Whitmore took over this River Ridge restaurant that's been around for nearly three decades. Here you'll find plenty of basic Italian dishes as well as such popular seafood offerings as the trout Victoria: fried speckled trout with shrimp, crawfish and a mushroom cream sauce. The 50-plus wine list featuring bottles from California and Italy receives a $5 discount on Thursdays. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

MIYAKO JAPANESE SEAFOOD & STEAK HOUSE
3837 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 779-6475
www.japanesebistro.com
It is the hibachi creations that really make Miyako stand out. You can get swordfish, filet mignon, vegetables, or chicken grilled to perfection by the hibachi chefs. If sushi is your passion, Miyako offers a wide range of rolls for any sushi lover. The lunch and dinner combination menus let you sample a range of dishes. Bento A features chicken teriyaki, shrimp Tempura, pan-fried dumpling and California roll. There is also a wide menu of appetizers and teas as well as desserts. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MO'S RIVERBEND CAFE
614 S. Carrollton Ave. 866-9301
Mo's is no longer open 24/7, but it still serves steak and eggs and waffles through most of those long, lonely nights. Some of the many menu favorites are pancakes, the Western omelette, the Philly cheese steak, the grilled chicken sandwich, chef salads and vegetable soup. No reservations. Breakfast, dinner and late-night Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Saturday and Sunday. $

MONA LISA RESTAURANT
1212 Royal St. 522-6746
Da Vinci's ultimate muse keeps watch over diners from several angles in this intimate, cavernous Italian hideaway in the lower Quarter. Favorites include shrimp and pasta in a red wine sauce served over linguine. There is a variety of pizzas, salads and sandwiches served on homemade baked bread. Delivery available in the French Quarter. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MONA'S CAFE
504 Frenchmen St. 949-4115
3149 Calhoun St. 861-2124
3901 Banks St. 482-7743
4126 Magazine St. 894-9800
Mona's is a Middle Eastern institution in New Orleans, known for its hearty portions, affordable prices and tasty renderings of Middle Eastern cuisine. All the usual suspects are here: stuffed grape leaves; hummus; falafel; gyros featuring marinated lamb, beef, or chicken; baba ghanoush; tabouleh; and falafel. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MOONLIGHT CAFE
1921 Sophie Wright Place 522-7313
Located in the Garden District, the Moonlight Cafe comes to the rescue of many a night owl, delivering barbecue ribs, cheese fries, gyros, burgers, salads, po-boys and even steaks into the wee hours. The spiced nachos made with either chicken or beef are very popular and go great with beer by the pitcher. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards and checks. $

MORNING CALL COFFEE STAND
3325 Severn Ave., Metairie 885-4068
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Clearview Shopping Center), Metairie 779-5348
www.morningcallcoffeestand.com
Morning Call employees have been hand-rolling, cutting and frying beignets for 132 years. The other longtime tradition, cafe au lait, is made with equal parts chicory coffee and steamed milk poured from large, stainless steel kettles. No reservations. Open 24 hours at the Severn Avenue location; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday through Sunday at the Clearview location. Cash only. $

MORTON'S OF CHICAGO
365 Canal St. (The Shops at Canal Place) 566-0221
www.mortons.com
At this popular steakhouse, regulars flock to the filet Oskar, which is topped with fresh asparagus, lump crabmeat and bearnaise sauce, or the steak au poivre, a New York strip that comes with five-peppercorn sauce. The perfect finish is the Godiva chocolate cake, which features a warm Godiva chocolate center and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

MORTON'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
702 Water St., Madisonville (985) 845-4970
www.mortonsseafood.com
Grab a table outside to enjoy a view of the Tchefuncte River while you chow down on an overstuffed po-boy or seafood platter. In season, oysters are shucked to order, and the crabmeat bisque shouldn't be missed. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards and checks. $$

MOSCA'S
4137 Hwy. 90 W., Avondale 436-9942
Locals and visitors -- including a fair share of celebrities -- have no problem making the half-hour trek to Avondale to revel in the family-style Italian specialties served in a minimalist atmosphere. The house suggests the delicious oysters bordelaise, the crabmeat salad and the chicken la Grande, which like the shrimp Mosca is prepared with olive oil, rosemary, oregano, garlic and dry white wine. Reservations recommended. No reservations on Saturday. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Cash only. $$$

MOTHER CLUCKER'S
132 Carondelet St. 558-0099
Just about everyone who works in the CBD has eaten at Mother Clucker's. Quick and satisfying chicken dishes rule the roost, with chicken wings, chicken tenders, and fried and grilled chicken sandwiches taking top billing. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

MOTHER'S
401 Poydras St. 523-9656
www.mothersrestaurant.com
The management recommends the Famous Ferdi Special, Mother's legendary baked, black ham with a crisp caramelized crust, roast beef, debris and gravy, shredded cabbage, pickles, mayo, and yellow and Creole mustards. Mother's specialty remains the "debris poor-boy" -- that's all the beef that falls in the gravy while roasting. No reservations. Limited delivery available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MOTHER'S RESTAURANT
131 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 368-8678
This Mother's offers anything from down-home comfort food in daily plate lunch specials (served with three sides) and po-boys to Italian and Greek specialties. The veal Parmigiana and veal round steak breaded with Italian seasonings are top choices, while Greek standards include moussaka, chicken souvlaki and gyros. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Visa/MC. $

MR. B'S BISTRO
201 Royal St. 523-2078
www.mrbsbistro.com
Over the past 20 years, Mr. B's has become a CBD citadel of contemporary Creole cuisine. Chef Michelle McRaney keeps patrons coming back with dishes like the Mississippi rabbit: tender rabbit braised with apple cider, apple-wood smoked bacon and shitake mushrooms and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. The grilled fish is a fresh fillet grilled over a wood fire and served over creamy mashed potatoes with lemon butter sauce and fresh vegetables. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, jazz brunch and dinner Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

MR. ED'S DELI AND CATERING
4107 S. Carrollton Ave. 486-8889
For quick takeout or dine-in, Mr. Ed's Deli and Catering offers all the comfort foods of New Orleans. The lengthy menu includes seafood, sandwiches, salads, soups and hot plate lunches such as jambalaya and red beans. The Mr. Ed Special is a favorite sandwich and includes ham, turkey, roast beef and Swiss cheese. If you have a sweet tooth, try the bread pudding with rum sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

MR. ED'S DELI AND CHICKEN CAFE
3531 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson 837-6300
This counter-service cafe offers chicken done every way you can imagine, including Mr. Ed's specialty country-style fried chicken. But there is something to please everyone, including an assortment of dinner salads and po-boys, red beans and rice, meatloaf, lasagna, chicken or veal parmigiana, grilled tuna and more. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

MR. ED'S SEAFOOD & ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1001 Live Oak St., Metairie 838-0022
If you're craving good old-fashioned seafood, Mr. Ed's Seafood-stuffed mirliton and seafood-stuffed bell peppers are recommended among the long list of neighborhood restaurant selections. The fried chicken and stewed chicken are also menu favorites. For a sweet ending to your meal, order the chocolate mousse or bananas Foster pie. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

MR. GYROS INC.
3232 Williams Blvd., Kenner 466-6833
Formerly located in the French Quarter, Mr. Gyros has moved to Kenner. Try the Greek specialties such as lamb chops, egg lemon soup, souvlaki (marinated pork) and baklava for dessert. Moussaka is a layered casserole of eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, ground beef, rice and cream cheese sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MR. JOHN'S STEAK AND SEAFOOD HOUSE
2111 St. Charles Ave. (Avenue Plaza Hotel) 679-7697
Though it's not typical to start with dessert, all the meal-ending delights here are homemade -- so keep that in mind before you fill up on Executive Chef Dwight Sherman's savory creations. The beef cuts here are USDA prime, there's an extensive wine list, and entrees such as the center-cut filet Oscar (topped with lump crabmeat and bearnaise sauce) are a standard. Reservations recommended. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, brunch Saturday and Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$$

MR. ROO'S DELI & CATERING
3501 Severn Ave., Metairie 885-4010
Choose from comfort foods like the fried seafood and overstuffed sandwiches. On the Italian side try chicken or veal Parmesan, or go local with shrimp Creole. Great any time of day is the club salad with fried chicken, bacon, cheddar and egg. Ask about daily specials. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

MR. TAI'S
701 Metairie Road, Metairie 831-8610
Mr. Tai's dishes up upscale Chinese food with an innovative menu, featuring lunch specialties that top out at $6. The restaurant takes full advantage of local seafood with dishes like the stir-fried oysters in black bean sauce and the Hunan prawns, which are deep fried, then tossed in a wok with fresh garlic, onion, ginger and sweet-and-sour sauce. For dessert: fried bananas in a sesame glaze. Reservations accepted. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MULATE'S THE ORIGINAL CAJUN RESTAURANT
201 Julia St. 522-1492
www.mulates.com
This family-friendly restaurant is perfect for taking restless kids (of any age) for a night of Cajun music. Shake it on the dance floor as you await dishes like the zydeco gumbo -- roux-based with shrimp, smoked sausage, chicken and okra. Seafood lovers will enjoy the catfish Mulate's (topped with crawfish etouffee and served with a slew of sides), blackened redfish or a seafood platter of fried shrimp, catfish, crawfish, stuffed crab and fried oysters. A favorite dessert is the housemade bread pudding with butter rum sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MURIEL'S JACKSON SQUARE
801 Chartres St. 568-1885
www.muriels.com
Muriel's Chef Erik Veney's dedication to local ingredients is found this spring with a number of dishes involving crawfish, including the popular etouffee, with the restaurant using only Louisiana crawfish, with shrimp replacing the mud bugs after the local season. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wednesday through Sunday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

MUSES
200 Old Hammond Hwy., Metairie 219-0770
Executive Chef Victoria Grulich is quickly making a name for herself at this up-and-coming restaurant. For an appetizer she recommends the tuna and salmon tartare. The entrees include dishes such as the double cut pork chop filled with Muenster cheese, jalapeno and cumin, served on a creamy bed of chipotle cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wednesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Sunday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $$

MYSTIC CAFE
3244 Magazine St. 895-7272
It's the perfect time of year to lounge at a sidewalk table in this hip section of Magazine Street and enjoy a chicken portobello roll: chicken, portobello mushroom, mozzarella and feta cheeses, spinach and roasted red pepper sauce, wrapped in lavash bread. Other selections in this Middle Eastern/Italian cafe include the popular spinach artichoke pizza, and the key lime raspberry cheesecake. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $