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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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SAIA'S BEEF ROOM
2645 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 835-8555
Chef-owner Sal Saia is known for his exquisite grilled steaks -- of the corn-fed Prime Midwestern beef variety -- at this Metairie spot. A wide variety of seafood options (including fresh Maine lobster or crabmeat au gratin) is available for non-carnivores. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SAKE CAFE
4201 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 779-7253
817 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 468-8829
The cleverly named rolls are as fresh as the sushi with this trio of Japanese restaurants in Jefferson Parish and Uptown. For the Kenner location, there's the Chateau roll, with snow crab, crabstick, smelt roe, avocado and cream cheese, wrapped with white fish, breaded and fried. The signature roll at the Veterans location is called the Snow White. Happy hour runs 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily and includes two-for-one sake and beers. Reservations recommended for parties of five or more. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SAKE CAFE UPTOWN
2830 Magazine St. 894-0033
Sake Cafe continues to please Uptown sushi lovers with a varied menu that includes a number of sake choices in addition to a extensive wine list -- all enjoyed in a spacious, modern space. Seaweed salad and miso soup are popular starters, with most diners sticking to sushi here. Top choices include the New Orleans Roll, which features spicy crawfish inside, tuna and snow crab outside. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SALVATORE RISTORANTE
3226 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie 455-2433
www.chefsfreerecipe.com
Another popular Metairie Italian eatery, Salvatore takes New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp and mixes it with garlic, rosemary, olive oil and Pinot Grigio and serves it up with some warm focaccia bread. Another house favorite is the eggplant stuffed with a crab-shrimp-oyster dressing and topped with a lemon-butter sauce, accented with capers. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SAMMY'S LIVE OAK MARKET & DELI
801 Live Oak St., Metairie 835-0916
For seven years this family-owned and operated business has been feeding customers as if they were their own family. The fresh Italian sausage is made in house. You can get a roast beef po-boy here anytime but the daily specials include Monday's red beans and rice; on Fridays and Saturdays all-you-can-eat trout; and boiled crawfish on Fridays in season. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. $

SAMUEL'S OYSTER BAR & GRILLE
1628 St. Charles Ave. 581-3777
The former Samuel's Avenue Pub underwent a transformation a year ago, adding a pizza oven, an oyster bar and new menu items. Overstuffed po-boys are perfect for casual dining on the outdoor deck as you sip a (new) frozen daiquiri and watch the St. Charles crowd pass by. Two-for-one mixed drinks are served at the weekday happy hour (4-7 p.m.), three-for-one on Wednesday. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

SAMURAI SUSHI
239 Decatur St. 525-9595
In a quaint and elegant setting, Samurai Sushi offers an exotic assortment of Japanese fare. Try sashimi appetizers of tuna, salmon, white fish and other ocean fish, coming garnished with daikon radish and shiso leaf. The salmon roll also sports snow crab and is topped with Samurai's special sauce. Delivery available. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SANTA FE
801 Frenchmen St. 944-6854
Santa Fe boasts plenty of combination dishes encompassing the Southwestern cooking spectrum, but their signature dishes are hard to resist, too. The pork tenderloin with apples has its share of converts, while the chicken Maximilian features a chicken breast rolled around an Anaheim pepper, and stuffed with chorizo sausage and cheese. No reservations. Dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SAPPORO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
3544 W. Esplanade Ave, Metairie 779-1818
In addition to a wide variety of sushi rolls, salads and cooked Japanese fare, Sapporo offers their specialty abilene in just about all those styles. If you and your date can't decide or have varying tastes, opt for Sapporo's Love Boat, which comes loaded with sashimi, sushi, tempura, salad, and chicken and beef Teriyaki. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

SARA'S
724 Dublin St. 861-0565
www.sarasrestaurant.com
Sara's unique take on Caribbean food can now be enjoyed for a bargain. The nightly early-bird special (from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.) offers three courses for $16.95. A great springtime appetizer is the crawfish egg roll. Signature dishes, such as sesame-crusted salmon and teriyaki steak, remain. Try the Jamaican-spice coated lamb chops, which are pan-seared and finished in the oven. Lunch Tuesday through Saturday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$

SAZERAC BAR & GRILL
123 Baronne St. (Fairmont Hotel) 529-4733
The Sazerac Bar and Grill is a lovely place to have the famous drink over an elegant dinner. Signature dishes include the lobster bisque and the Fairmont salad. For dinner, the kitchen offers a chef's special. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch seasonally. Credit cards. $$$

SCHIRO'S COMMUNITY CAFE AND BAR
2483 Royal St. 944-6666
Only at Schiro's can you do your laundry, pick up some groceries, hang out at the bar and have a lovely meal all in one place. With the recent addition of a guest house, some people might never leave. Entrees include salmon, steak, wraps, burgers and sandwiches, and the daily specials include a baked catfish with a seafood stuffing on Fridays. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, grocery/laundry only on Sunday. Credit cards. $

SEMOLINA
100 Tyler Square, Covington (985) 898-0004
137-139B Westbank Expwy., Gretna 361-8293
1503 Gause Blvd., Slidell (985) 641-3456
2999 Hwy. 190, Mandeville (985) 626-8923
3226 Magazine St. 895-4260
3501 W. Chateau Blvd., Kenner 468-1047
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Clearview Shopping Center) 454-7930
5080 Pontchartrain Blvd. 486-5581
www.semolina.com
Semolina is so much more than just pasta. There is something for everyone with dishes from the Louisiana bayou to Latin America, from the Southwest to Italy and more. Thai curry shrimp, pasta jambalaya is a perennial favorite, and the daily specials include a double-cheeseburger pasta on Wednesdays. For a limited time enjoy the crawfish and pasta adventure with 12 different crawfish dishes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

SERRANO'S SALSA COMPANY
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 780-2354
www.serranossalsacompany.com
This festive Latin American restaurant boasts more than 50 types of tequila. An order of ratones is the perfect way to start -- four marinated jalapenos stuffed with jumbo shrimp, white cheese, grilled onions, all lightly fried and served with jalapeno pepper jelly and cream cheese. For an entree, consider the camarones a la parilla, a grilled shrimp dish topped with a spicy blend of Serrano peppers, tomatoes onions and cilantro. Reservations accepted for parties of 10 or more. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

SIAM CAFE
435 Esplanade Ave. 949-1750
Siam Cafe is a Thai restaurant with a bohemian vibe nestled below the Dragon's Den. Try the classic pad Thai, a generous portion of traditional noodles served with sizzling shrimp, chicken breast, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and seasoned with spicy chiles. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

SID-MAR'S OF BUCKTOWN
1824 Orpheum Ave., Metairie 831-9541
www.sidmarsofbucktown.com
Crawfish season is everyone's favorite time of year at Sid-Mar's. The boiled crawfish comes with corn and new potatoes and are best enjoyed on the deck overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. Other specialties of this Bucktown mainstay include the grilled tuna salad, fresh charbroiled amberjack and the seafood platter. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SILKY O'SULLIVAN'S
311 Decatur St. 525-1011
Silky O'Sullivan's Memphis-style barbecue ribs are dry-rubbed and apple-and-hickory smoked. The brisket po-boy and pulled pork po-boys both feature meats that have been smoked for 13 hours. Get there early and wash down your meal with drinks from the weekday happy hour (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Or wake up with a Cajun Bloody Mary, made with Inferno vodka. As if that weren't enough, throughout April, Silky's will feature live music on the weekends. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$

SMILIE'S RESTAURANT
5725 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 733-3000
Smilie's is a popular Harahan spot featuring a Sunday champagne brunch with live music. Smilie's draws in diners during the week with its seafood specials including the stuffed shrimp plaunche. Augie's delight is a 6-ounce filet mignon and a jumbo softshell crab, served over a bouquet of fresh vegetables. Reservations recommend. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SMITH & WOLLENSKY
1009 Poydras St. 561-0770
www.smithandwollensky.com
All the beef steaks are dry-aged in house for 28 days before being cooked to order. Available now is a special Cajun ribeye, which is marinated in Cajun oil spiced with garlic cayenne pepper, olive oil and more for 72 hours before it is cooked. Another special dish is the shellfish bouquet, which includes lobster cocktail, a whole lobster cut in half, oysters on the half shell, jumbo lump crabmeat, shrimp cocktail and marinated crab claws. Reservations recommended. Lunch, dinner, late night daily. Credit cards. $$$

SNUG HARBOR JAZZ BISTRO
626 Frenchmen St. 949-0696
www.snugjazz.com
If you're in the mood for a classic New Orleans meal to accompany the classic New Orleans jazz that plays here nightly, head to Snug Harbor for standards such as shrimp remoulade and shrimp Creole. Meat choices include a filet mignon and New York strip, and chicken fans can get theirs Southern-fried or char-broiled. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SOPHISTICATED SALADS
6387 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 737-1860
Fresh for spring is a sassy fruit salad that features romaine lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, walnuts, raisins and Monterey Jack Cheese, kissed with poppy seed dressing. Another popular choice is a baby spinach salad that's covered with bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, eggs, walnuts and raisins, then finished with Jezebel dressing, made with pineapple preserves, apple jelly and horseradish. Delivery available. Lunch and early dinner Monday-Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

SPORTING HOUSE CAFE
916 Lafayette St. 561-0605
www.sportinghousecafe.com
The Sporting House Cafe is housed in one of Storyville's famous old bordellos, and obviously enjoys playing up its heritage. Come in on Wednesday for the weekly "Hump Day Happy Hour," and sample menu items like the Oysters Faux Pas, where fried oysters are served with spinach and brie on French bread. There's an expansive menu of salads, soups and sandwiches. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Delivery available. Lunch Monday through Friday, happy hour Wednesday. Credit cards. $

SPUDLY'S SUPER SPUDS
2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie 455-SPUD (7783)
www.spudly.com
Spudly's motto is "a meal in a baked potato," and they're as good as their word. The Pizza Spud is stuffed with spiced pepperoni and Italian sauce, and topped with mozzarella and chives. The Super Duper is a meal and a half, with shrimp, crab and crawfish in a baked potato and garnished with cheddar cheese and chives. Soups, salads and burgers are also on the menu. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

ST. CHARLES TAVERN
1433 St. Charles Ave. 523-9823
Whether you need a cup of coffee and some pancakes to start your day at 4 a.m. or a late-night burger before bed, the St. Charles Tavern can meet your needs. Serving breakfast, beers, burgers, and red beans and rice around the clock has firmly established the Tavern in the hearts of locals. Specialties include the redfish Emily, which is grilled and topped with a crawfish cream sauce, and the seriously decadent No Cure For Chocolate Cake. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $

STAR STEAK & LOBSTER
237 Decatur St. 525-6151
The star attraction for regular diners year-round is a special lobster feast for two that features a pair of lobsters and double orders of soup, salad, baked potatoes or French fries and bread pudding, all for $39.95. For an adventurous dining experience, order up the filet mignon filled with shrimp, crawfish, crabmeat and lobster stuffing and topped with red wine mushroom sauce. Reservations required. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

STARBUCKS COFFEE CO.
300 Canal St. (Canal Place) 566-1223
424 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 837-7874
817 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 472-6190
1290 Front St., Slidell (985) 641-6257
1451 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey 365-0208
2701 Airline Drive, Metairie 828-6700
2801 Magazine St. 897-4944
3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 828-5257
3601 Hwy. 190, Mandeville (985) 626-5234
5161 Citrus Blvd., Jefferson 818-0633
5800 Magazine St. 269-5113
7700 Maple St. 864-0411
www.starbucks.com
The many choices offered at area Starbucks transcend those of a simple coffee shop. There are plenty of snacks, both healthy and sweet, to go with your java. New summer drinks include frappuccinos, some coffee-based, some "creams" (i.e., caffeine free). Hours vary by location. Credit cards and checks. $

STATIONHOUSE GRILLE
329 Decatur St. 587-0079
This French Quarter bar and grill boasts live funk-jazz music or a local DJ spinning every Thursday through Sunday. As you listen, enjoy a hamburger (made with a sirloin-chuck mixture) in the hidden courtyard. Also recommended: the Shrimp Dip, a sandwich made with garlicky, New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

THE STEAK KNIFE RESTAURANT & BAR
888 Harrison Ave. 488-8981
Steaks aren't the only thing on the menu at this Lakeview establishment. Before you sink your teeth into a juicy filet, try the escargot stuffed in mushroom caps and simmering in garlic butter with a hint of white wine and brandy. White chocolate bread pudding with Drambuie sauce makes for a very happy ending. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE STEAK PIT
609 Bourbon St. 525-3406
Everything you might expect from a steakhouse located on the wildest stretch of Bourbon Street can be found at The Steak Pit. The New York strip dinner, served with a salad, baked potato and onion soup, promises to satisfy the most ravenous appetite. The Steak Pit also offers a variety of po-boys and a Jumbo Combo with piles of shrimp, catfish and oysters. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

STELLA!
1032 Chartres St. 587-0091
www.restaurantstella.com
As both chef and owner of the intimate Stella!, Louisiana native Chef Scott Boswell is constantly changing a menu designed to reflect what's fresh and what's in season. This spring, enjoy a quiet night of dining on the patio with choices of his signature items like the seared Hudson Valley foie gras, with quenelles of Granny Smith apples, toasted brioche, huckleberry jam and burgundy reduction. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily, except Tuesday. Credit cards. $$$

STILL PERKIN'
2727 Prytania St. 899-0335
In addition to a frozen lemonade granita sure to cool you off now that summer's on its way, Still Perkin' offers standards such as iced coffee and iced mocha. Bottled juices are also good for those avoiding caffeine. Hungry? Enjoy fresh fruit and a La Spiga sandwich for lunch, with a rich chocolate buttercream square to finish. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Visa/MC and checks. $

STINGRAY'S SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR
1303 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 443-4040
The shrimp Nicole is a popular entree, with shrimp, diced mushrooms and green onions served with a white cream sauce over angel hair or fettuccine pasta. If you need a break from seafood, try the grilled chicken, served with one side. Every weekday there's a lunch special for $5.95. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

STITCHES BAR & GRILL
3941 Houma Blvd., Metairie 454-6266
There's something special happening at Stitches. Monday through friday, happy hour features drink specials from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., while Wednesday and Thursday nights, you can order up the rib-eye special, served with a baked potato, for only $6.95. For soup, try the crab corn bisque. A popular sandwich is the Buffalo chicken, topped with ranch or blue cheese dressing. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Saturday. Credit cards. $

SUGAR HOUSE
315 Julia St. (Embassy Suites Hotel) 525-1993
www.embassysuites.com/es/neworleans
For a varied take on local cuisine, the Embassy Suites' in-house restaurant serves up a number of innovative dishes. Such spins are evident in a popular appetizer choice of crabmeat-stuffed shrimp baked and topped with coconut sprinkles. For an entree, the Sugar House Pork Medallions are grilled and served with an orange coulis. Lunch buffet Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SUGAR MAGNOLIA
1910 Magazine St. 529-1110
www.sugarmagnoliarestaurant.com
Sugar Magnolia's cream cheese-stuffed French toast has packed in weekend brunch crowds. Accompanied by fresh fruits, this spring's crop of local strawberries and blackberries should make it that much more alluring. Featuring a diverse menu and outdoor seating perfect for the season's weather, signature dishes here include a hickory wood-grilled pork chop with andouille stuffing and root beer sauce. Reservations accepted for six or more. Brunch Saturday and Sunday, lunch Monday through Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$

SUN RAY GRILL
619 Pink St., Metairie 837-0055
1051 Annunciation St. 566-0021
2600 Belle Chasse Hwy., Suite A, Gretna 391-0053
www.sunraygrill.com
The unique owner of the Sun Ray Grill encourages chefs at each of the restaurants to come up with their own innovative dishes; check out the "chalkboard specials" from the kitchen. Standard menu items include Chinese spiced duck, sesame-crusted Tokyo tuna, and Baja skillets: warm tortillas and grilled peppers and onions with chicken, steak, tuna, crawfish, shrimp or a combination of any or all. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

SUPERIOR GRILL
3636 St. Charles Ave. 899-4200
www.superiorgrill.com
With spring finally here, Superior Grill's outdoor dining tables should be hopping these days. That's no surprise, considering the lure of great weather and overstuffed taco salads, mesquite-grilled fish, fajitas, enchilada platters and more. One recent addition to the menu is shrimp brochetas, featuring grilled jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese and poblano peppers. Reservations recommended for parties of eight or more. Brunch Saturday-Sunday, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$

SURREY'S CAFE AND JUICE BAR
1418 Magazine St. 524-3828
Since its opening, Surrey's has attracted health-conscious eaters from around the city, as well as those thirsty for a fresh-squeezed organic juice to sip as they stroll down Magazine Street. For breakfast, try the migas: eggs scrambled with peppers, onions and tomatoes, with tortilla chips and cheddar cheese folded in and served with fresh salsa. Breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Cash only. $

SWEET OLIVE CAFE
610 Tchoupitoulas St. 299-8188
Sweet Olive Cafe takes unusual ingredients and creates palate-friendly combinations, but far and away, their specialty sandwiches are the most interesting menu feature. Names familiar to New Orleans include the Tchoupitoulas: herb-marinated roast beef on a multi-grain kaiser roll with Creole mustard, mayo, roasted red-pepper coulis and melted provolone. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $

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