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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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PACIFIC BAR & GRILL
5243 Canal Blvd. 488-0100
The Pacific is a natural place to unwind, and it gathers a lively crowd when happy hour rolls around. You can dine inside or out on the patio on club sandwiches, burgers, po-boys, seafood platters or tasty bar snacks such as the crab dip. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $

PADRINO'S CAFE
8132 Hampson St. 314-9088
With the unmistakable intimacy of Italian hospitality, guests are greeted with toasted bread and fresh olive oil the moment they take a seat in this cozy Riverbend Cafe. One specialty is the chicken Padrino, stuffed with ham, fontina cheese and spinach, and topped with a white wine mushroom cream sauce. The menu also features the classic veal piccata, along with a number of pasta dishes. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

PALACE CAFE
605 Canal St. 523-1661
www.palacecafe.com
Executive Chef Darin Nesbit creates innovative dishes for this popular Brennan restaurant. Start with the crabmeat cheesecake: this quiche-like appetizer is served with marinated crab claws in a Creole meuniere sauce with pecan crust and sauteed wild mushrooms on top. An excellent entree is the pepper-crusted duck with seared foie gras and Louisiana citrus salad. Finish with the famous white chocolate bread pudding. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PALM COURT JAZZ CAFE
1204 Decatur St. 525-0200
www.palmcourtcafe.com
The Palm Court offers locals and visitors alike traditional New Orleans jazz and authentic cuisine. You'll enjoy the music even more on a full stomach, so try the ginger and sesame shrimp, sauteed in a sauce of sherry, ginger and sesame seeds, with a dash of soy. The crawfish Nantua features crawfish tails in brandy cream sauce over rice. Reservations required. Dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PAMPY'S
2005 N. Broad St. 949-7970
You never know who among the New Orleans' political elite you might see at Pampy's; once you try owner Stan Barre's barbecue shrimp, prepared with butter and a beer seasoning, you won't much care. The new Southern specialties menu includes fried Cornish hen served with fresh mustard greens and candied yams. Check out the oyster bar, signature martinis and extensive wine list. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturdays. Dark Sundays. Credit cards. $$

PAMPY'S EXPRESS RESTAURANT
3716 Downman Road 240-1991
Tucked away behind the Prestige Carwash, Pampy's Express serves up great Buffalo shrimp and raw oysters, as well as gumbo, seafood pasta, platters and po-boys. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday, early dinner Monday through Wednesday, dinner Thursday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

PANASIA THAI RESTAURANT
500 St. Charles Ave., 299-8004
The unique philosophy of Panasia's kitchen is evident with such starters as the chicken coconut soup, an exotic creamy soup with kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass, galangal and mushroom. Follow that up with another fruity favorite, the fresh pineapple stuffed with fried rice, jumbo Gulf shrimp, ham, raisins and bell pepper. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PARADISE CAFE
3717 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-4141
Next to the Barnes & Noble sits the deceptively unassuming Paradise Cafe, where shoppers can read their newly purchased books over soups, sandwiches and more. Specialties include the chicken Parmesan, a crispy chicken breast served on angel hair pasta with red sauce, accompanied by a green salad and French bread. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

PARASOL'S OF GRETNA
714 1st St., Gretna 365-9600
Last fall, Parasol's heir Bill Hock decided to take advantage of the Irish move to the West Bank over the years and open up this version of Parasol's inside the old Clover Club (how appropriate). And yes, you'll find an array of po-boys (including the fabled roast beef) and lunch specials including the veal Parmesan for a scant $4.50. Gravy cheese fries bloated with garlicky roast beef are another fave. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

PARASOL'S RESTAURANT & BAR
2533 Constance St. 899-2054
Come celebrate Parasol's 50th anniversary with the Irish Channel landmark's famous roast beef po-boy. Parasol's also offers seafood platters, including shrimp and oysters. Delectable appetizers include Buffalo wings and gravy cheese fries. Takeout available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

PASCAL'S MANALE RESTAURANT
1838 Napoleon Ave. 895-4877
Manale's, as this Uptown institution is affectionately known, is the original home to New Orleans' famous barbecue shrimp, and this house specialty retains its originality with a sauce of tangy spices. The combination pan roast comes with oysters, shrimp and crabmeat in a blend of shallots and parsley seasoning. The steaks and Italian dishes have a devoted following as well. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PATOUT'S CAJUN BISTRO
501 Bourbon St. 529-4256
www.patoutscajuncabin.com
Enjoy live Cajun music nightly and indoor or balcony dining. Making a long-anticipated return to the menu: savory crawfish enchiladas. Other Cajun/New Orleans favorites include alligator sausage, barbecue shrimp and alligator sauce piquante. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

PATTON'S RESTAURANT AT THE HISTORIC SALMEN-FRITCHIE HOUSE
127 Cleveland Ave., Slidell (985) 645-3600
Although the Patton family only recently moved into this 100-year-old building, they have been serving the New Orleans area (and beyond) for more than 50 years. Executive Chef Ryan Stonewall changes the menu monthly but the oven-roasted rock lobster tail and the bread pudding topped with chantilly cream and lemon sauce are mainstays. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Checks and credit cards. $$

PAUL'S CAFE
100 E. Pine St., Ponchatoula (985) 386-9581
There's no need to wait until Monday to order red beans and rice at Paul's, where it comes with sausage, a choice of vegetables and dessert. A full menu of breakfast items is served every morning, or for lunch, wash down one of Paul's famous overstuffed shrimp po-boys with an ice-cold Barq's. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. $

PEACOCK INDIAN RESTAURANT
3410 Williams Blvd., Kenner 469-0553
This Peacock's feathers plumed in Kenner last year with its authentic Indian cuisine. Start with the Peacock Sizzler, an assortment of tandoori chicken, chicken tikka and lamb cubes. For an entree, consider the Lamb Kofta Curry: dumplings of minced lamb cooked with egg in a creamy onion sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $$

THE PEARL RESTAURANT AND OYSTER BAR
119 St. Charles Ave. 525-2901
Chat with fiends over drinks and raw oysters or enjoy light fare such as the grilled shrimp salad or the triple-decker club sandwich, with corned beef, roast beef and bacon. House specialties include turtle soup, gumbo and etouffee. For dessert, try the turtle cheesecake or bread pudding. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

THE PELICAN CLUB RESTAURANT & BAR
615 Bienville St./312 Exchange Alley 523-1504
www.pelicanclub.com
Located in the French Quarter, the Pelican Club offers a special pre-theater dinner nightly. Who could say no to the Pelican Club Baked Oysters, served on the half shell with apple-smoked bacon, roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese and garlic herb butter. A popular entree is the seafood fricassee, served with saffron risotto, sauteed vegetables and a garlic black bean sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

PERE ANTOINE
741 Royal St. 581-4478
Located in the heart of the French Quarter on the corner of Royal and St. Ann streets, Pere Antoine's menu and atmosphere reflect the culinary spirit of the city. Snapper Nona is broiled and topped with mushrooms, crab and herbs in a buttery Mornay sauce. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

PERISTYLE
1041 Dumaine St. 593-9535
Chef Anne Kearney recommends starting with L'assiette du charcutier, a daily creation of pate terrine, mousse, galantine, sausage or crepinette. Many of Kearney's most devoted fans swear by her lusty salads, such as the warm salad of roasted fingerling potatoes and shallots tossed with crisp frisee and a Dijon-thyme vinaigarette, crowned with devine triple cream goat's milk cheese and crispy pancetta. Reservations recommended. Lunch Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$

PETE'S PUB
444 St. Charles Ave. (Hotel Inter-Continental) 585-5401
www.new-orleans.intercontinental.com
This cozy pub on the ground floor of the Hotel Inter-Continental serves plenty of local favorites, including crawfish Monica and jambalaya pasta, as well as a variety of burgers, pizzas and wrap sandwiches. If you want to finish off your meal with something sweet, try the apple pie or cheesecake. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, happy hour daily. Credit cards. $

PETUNIA'S RESTAURANT
817 St. Louis St. 522-6440
www.petuniasrestaurant.com
If you are in the mood for a crepe, check out Petunia's. This restaurant boasts having "The World's Largest Crepes," and, yes, bigger is better. The selection of crepes includes the St. Louis dessert flambe: golden vanilla ice cream with bananas, cherries and pecans presented flaming at the table. Reservations recommended for dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO
3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Lakeside Shopping Center), Metairie 828-5288
www.pfchangs.com
Fancy Chinese cuisine is the order of the day at this cross-country bistro chain. One specialty is the Mongolian Trio; a spin-off of Mongolian Beef, it comes with beef, shrimp, chicken, broccoli, white mushrooms and green onions in a mild dark sauce. New specialty drinks and a new wine list help make this dining experience complete. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

PHO TAU BAY
113C Westbank Expwy., Gretna 368-9846
1565 Tulane Ave. 524-4669
3116 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie 780-1063
You can't go wrong with the Pho Tau Bay won ton soup, full of pork and shrimp and served with a basket of bean sprouts, basil, lime and hot peppers. Try the bun thit nuong, charcoal-broiled sliced pork served over a bed of vermicelli with cucumbers, spearmint, bean sprouts, crispy lettuce and peanuts. No reservations. The West Bank location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; the Tulane Avenue location serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday; and the Metairie location serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $

PICCADILLY CAFETERIA
104 Hwy. 190 W., Slidell (985) 646-0566
533 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna 391-1063
1701 W. Thomas St., Hammond (985) 419-0556
2609 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson 834-2695
3200 Paris Road, Chalmette 271-6860
3800 S. Carrollton Ave. 482-0775
4150 Gen. De Gaulle Drive, Algiers 392-7030
4403 Chef Menteur Hwy. 282-7198
5700 Read Blvd. 246-0412
8908 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 467-4224
69008 Hwy. 190 Service Road, Covington (985) 892-9994
www.piccadilly.com
This cafeteria is guaranteed to satisfy any appetite with its wide selection of vegetables, meats, seafood, pastas, breads, soups, salads and more. Daily specials include carved meats for $5.99 on Tuesday and kid's meals for 99¢ on Thursday. There's also a variety of desserts, meals to go and traditional holiday fare. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $

PIERRE MASPERO'S FOOD & SPIRITS
440 Chartres St. 524-8990
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, just a few blocks off Jackson Square, Maspero's is a natural stop on a day's outing. The crawfish etouffee, gumbo and jambalaya are sure crowd pleasers, as are the occasional specials such as turtle soup. The lunch menu also has plenty of sandwiches and salads. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PJ'S COFFEE & TEA
143 Elk Place 585-1775
154 E. Hall Ave., Slidell (985) 643-9040
436 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Clearview Shopping Center), Metairie 885-4543
634 Frenchmen St. 949-2292
644 Camp St. 529-3658
800 Metairie Road, Metairie 828-1460
945 Magazine St. (National D-Day Museum) 525-0255
1532 Robert E. Lee Blvd. 283-6686
1545 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey 368-6600
1600 N. Hwy. 190, Covington (985) 871-9326
2963 Hwy. 190, Mandeville (985) 674 1565
3700 Orleans Ave. (American Can Co.) 934-1192
4480 Hwy. 22, Mandeville (985) 624-9015
5300 Tchoupitoulas St. 895-2007
5432 Magazine St. 895-0273
7624 Maple St. 866-7031
10158 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge 738-7797
McAlister Pocket Park (Tulane University) 865-5705
New Orleans International Airport (West Terminal and Terminal B), Kenner 466-2103
www.pjscoffee.com
The large number of PJ's franchises scattered across the area speak to the popularity of its coffee, tea and food offerings that are more robust that one might think. Some locations offer a variety of salads and sandwiches. Muffins, pastries, bagels and cakes are available at all. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $

PLANC COFFEE AND TEA
1827 Hickory Ave., Harahan 738-2220
www.planc.com
Pastries, coffees and teas aren't the only things on Planc's diverse menu. Specialty drinks include the new Orange Julius, which tastes like orange sherbet. There's also an assortment of salads and sandwiches as well as daily soup specials: Monday features a thick and creamy chunky chicken tortilla soup, while on Friday, there's the crawfish and corn soup. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

PLANTATION COFFEEHOUSE
5555 Canal Blvd. 482-3164
At Plantation Coffeehouse, the menu is not only getting larger, but more diverse as well. One of the recent additions is a cheese and bean burrito topped with cheddar and chili sauce and served with chips, salsa, sour cream and jalapeno peppers. Plantation also offers a meat lasagna served with a small Caesar salad and French bread. For dessert, check out the housemade bread pudding with caramel sauce. No reservations. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

POLYNESIAN JOE'S
869 Magazine St. 525-9301
www.polyjoes.com
Polynesian Joe's is the only restaurant or bar in the CBS with a sandpit for beach volleyball games and is therefore automatically worth a visit. The food will keep you coming back -- the $6 lunch buffet on Wednesday is a bargain, and the gumbo, jambalaya and red beans and rice all taste great with a cold beer. Dinner options include appetizers such as fried mushrooms and entrees including the sloppy roast beef po-boy and pork chop platter. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

POPPY'S GRILL
717 St. Peter St. 524-3287
www.poppysgrill.com
If you aren't willing to brave Bourbon Street, check out Poppy's Grill, the sister restaurant to Clover Grill. For the budget conscious, Poppy's $5.49 happy hour deal from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. features a hamburger or cheeseburger grilled beneath an American-made hubcap, French fries and a 20-ounce Budweiser draft or soft drink. The $4.99 breakfast special served daily from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. include two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns or grits and toast with jelly. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

PORT OF CALL
838 Esplanade Ave. 523-0120
The ever-popular Port continues to do what it does best -- serve up mouthwatering burgers that are ground on-site and big enough to satisfy the most determined carnivore. The burgers come with baked potatoes stuffed with any combination of butter, sour cream, bacon bits, scallions and mushrooms. Other menu offerings include salads, pizzas and steaks. Kids welcome. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

POTATO KING
3729 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-5464
If you want your spud baked, mashed, or fried, the Potato King is waiting to take your order. Some baked potatoes go beyond the norm, like the Cajun crawfish potato, which blends crawfish, cheddar cheese, butter and chives. Lunch specials are a great deal, with entrees such as hamburger steak, veal or grilled chicken served with your choice of potato, a salad and a drink all for $5.25. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

POYDRAS DINER
1555 Poydras St. (Exxon Building) 568-0733
Everyone has their favorite coffee place, and for many who work in the CBD the Poydras Diner is it. But, you can also enjoy daily lunch specials such as Monday's red beans and rice or Friday's seafood. A variety of chicken sandwiches and burgers are also offered. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $

THE PRALINE CONNECTION
543 Frenchmen St. 943-3934
www.pralineconnection.com
The fried chicken and po-boys make the original Praline Connection in the Faubourg Marigny one of New Orleans' most beloved soul food establishments. The selection of dinner entrees is comfort food at its best, served with a choice of "greens or beans." No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Fridays and Saturdays. Credit cards. $$

THE PRALINE CONNECTION GOSPEL & BLUES HALL
907 S. Peters St., 523-3973
www.pralineconnection.com
The Warehouse District location of the Praline Connection offers weekday all-you-can-eat lunch buffets featuring the same soulful cooking that made the Faubourg Marigny restaurant so popular. The large and airy space is the perfect setting for the Sunday gospel brunch. Reservations are recommended for large parties and brunch. Lunch Monday through Friday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

PRESTO! ESPRESSO
1542 Tulane Ave. 581-9555
Presto! Espresso's morning offerings of gourmet, drip-brewed coffees and pastries help folks at the LSU Medical Center start the day off right. For lunch, try one of the 16 varieties of panini sandwiches, including the grilled Mediterranean vegetable on fresh focaccia or the chicken San Leandro. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. American Express and checks. $

PRIMO PIZZA & PASTA
2401 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Kenner 464-4547
Save up your Italian appetite for this Primo all-you-can-eat buffet, which includes a salad bar, three vegetables, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and fettuccine dishes; and don't forget a dessert of apple crunch or fruity pizza. On Friday and Saturday evenings the buffet expands to include special seafood and Italian dishes. If you opt to order off the menu, you will find a variety of sandwiches, calzones, pizzas and pastas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

PROTOCOL
535 Tchoupitoulas St. (Ambassador Hotel) 527-5271
Chef David Picou continues to show off his light touch with dishes such as the duck Bienville, where a pan-seared duck breast is served with andouille and red onion confit, and the veal Elizabeth, a breaded baby white veal with tasso and crawfish cream sauce. The weekend breakfast buffet has a wide variety of hearty dishes, and the lunch specials include steak on Thursday and a seafood buffet on Friday. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

PUPUSERIA DIVINO CORAZON
2300 Belle Chase Hwy., Gretna 368-5724
Find all the flavors of El Salvador and Mexico at this divine restaurant. The Faro Del Pacifico lets you sample three dishes: a pupusa (a mix between a corn tamale and a tortilla with morsels of pork, cheese and onions inside), a corn meat pie filled with dirty rice, and a chicken tamale with potatoes and olives wrapped in a plantain leaf. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Lunch and dinner Thursday through Tuesday. Credit cards. $

PURPLE ROSES
1116 Tulane Ave. 566-0950
The hungry will find traditional American breakfast fare such as grits, hash browns and pancakes. But for lunch, seek out a more Asian flair with General Tsao Chicken, a light battered fowl sauteed with a tangy but sweet mix of flavors and served with crawfish fried rice, chow mein or noodles. No reservations. Delivery available in CBD. Lunch Monday-Friday. Cash only. $