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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
C
CADDYSHACK
3217 Ridgelake Drive, Metairie 833-1799
Lunchtime always finds a cheerful crowd of shoppers and workers taking a
break for Caddyshack's comfort food. In addition to an ample menu of pub fare,
daily specials give you plenty to choose from. Come in on Tuesday for hamburger
steak, baked chicken and shrimp-stuffed peppers, or Wednesday for meatloaf and
liver and onions. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards.
$
CAFE ARABESQUE
211 LaSalle St. 524-6455
www.cafearabesque.com
Owner Sandra Bahhur left her job as a nurse at Tulane Hospital to promote
a more preventative approach to health, one that includes lots of hummus, chick
peas and falafel. Located in the heart of the downtown medical district, this
Middle Eastern cafe makes healthy habits easy. Athena's Choice sandwich is a
favorite for vegetarians and omnivores alike, stacked with spinach, mushrooms,
artichokes, tomatoes, mozzarella, feta and basil pesto sauce, heat pressed to
perfection on Roma bread. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch, Monday through
Friday. Delivery available. Credit cards. $
CAFE ATCHAFALAYA
901 Louisiana Ave. 891-5271
Spring is in the air and trout is on the menu at this popular neighborhood
eatery. Trout pecan and trout with jumbo crabmeat hollandaise and fried capers
are two good choices from Chef John Calon. Or, opt for the grilled duck breast
salad with dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, red onions and gorgonzola. Reservations
recommended. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, breakfast and brunch
Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE AU LAIT
307 Chartres St. 528-9933
Omelettes and other breakfast offerings here complement the great coffees
that give this cafe its name. Pastries and other delights are available, as are
specialty sandwiches and hamburgers. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily.
Credit cards and checks. $
CAFE BANQUETTE
3445 Prytania St. 891-5773
Directly across from Touro Hospital, the Cafe Banquette offers a number of
enticements for patients to get well and come over for a meal. The menu of New
Orleans classics includes corn and crab bisque, barbecue shrimp po-boy, rib-eye
steak, fried oyster salad, and a seafood platter. No reservations. Lunch, dinner,
and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
CAFE BEIRUT
3242 Magazine St. 269-2900
Cafe Beirut is updating its menu, so look for some new choices at this Uptown
Middle Eastern cafe in the near future. In the meantime, you can't go wrong with
mainstays like chicken, lamb, or kafta kababs, lentel soup, or kibbeh (ground
beef and spices artfully fried). For dessert, ashta and baklava offer sweet relief.
Reservations accepted for parties of 10 or more. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $
CAFE BUON GIORNO
4 Canal St. (Harrah's Casino) 533-6000 ext. 4140
1205 St. Charles Ave. (Regency Apartments) 523-5755
No longer in Gretna, devotees of Buon Giorno's can now drive over the bridge
for the food they love. The menu at Harrah's Casino is less expensive but more
limited, featuring standards such as lasagna, muffalettas, pizzas and salads.
Luckily, Coq au vin or grilled octopus and calamari are available at the new
restaurant in the Regency Apartments. Lunch and dinner daily at Harrah's Casino
location; breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday at the Regency.
Credit cards. $$
CAFE D'CAPPUCCINO
4041 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-2299
The Cafe D'Cappuccino helps you start your day with either a traditional,
hot breakfast or a continental breakfast of pastries and specialty coffees. For
lunch or dinner, try the grilled chicken on a bed of lettuce and tomato salad
topped with a dollop of guacamole, or the chicken or tuna mixed with veggies
in a greens-free salad. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Monday
through Saturday. Cash only. $
CAFE DEGAS
3127 Esplanade Ave. 945-5635
www.cafedegas.com
For lunch, Cafe Degas offers a bouillabaisse made with shrimp, mussels, and
leeks in a saffron broth. The housemade pate plates and the French onion soup
are excellent appetizers before heading onto entrees like the Parmesan-crusted
veal medallion with lemon caper butter sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch
Tuesday through Saturday, dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE DU MONDE
800 Decatur St. 587-0833
4600 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-9770
Esplanade Mall 468-3588
Lakeside Mall 834-8694
New Orleans Centre 587-0842
Oakwood Mall 587-0849
Riverwalk Mall 587-0841
www.cafedumonde.com
It's one of those places where out-of-towners insist on heading as soon as
they arrive in New Orleans. Cafe du Monde keeps it simple with potent chicory
coffee, orange juice or milk and those warm melt-in-your mouth beignets piled
high with powdered sugar. Cafe au lait is available hot, iced or frozen (perfect
for hot weather). No reservations. Hours vary by location. Decatur open 24 hours.
Cash only. $
CAFE GIOVANNI
117 Decatur St. 529-2154
www.cafegiovanni.com
Acclaimed chef Duke LoCicero invites opera singers to entertain his guests
every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, but nothing can upstage his culinary creations.
For a dinner that will make you want to break out in song, try the roasted duck
classico, a crispy duck served on a bed of roasted garlic, rosemary-mashed potatoes,
accompanied by Tuscan vegetables and finished with a sweet Marsala-roasted honey
glaze. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
CAFE GUMBOLAYA
1000 N. Peters St. 523-7418
Try Cafe Gumbolaya's Taster Platter, which contains red beans, shrimp and
okra gumbo, jambalaya and shrimp Creole, for a true taste of New Orleans. Vegetarians
also get a platter, this one with fried eggplant, fried green tomatoes, sauteed
spinach and provolone cheese with a Creole cream sauce. Reservations accepted.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
CAFE HOLA!
137 N. Carrollton Ave. 486-HOLA (4652)
Kick off your meal at Cafe Hola! with chips served with your choice of any
of the five housemade salsas, each made fresh daily. The puffy quesadilla made
with chicken, vegetables and cheese are a favorite along with the tacos -- priced
right at $2.25 -- from the a la carte menu. The margaritas are another attraction.
Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAFE LATTE
2324 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 833-6343
www.cafelattemetairie.com
A diverse menu makes Cafe Latte more than just a coffeehouse. There's a selection
of colorful salads, such as the shrimp Mediterranean with a spring mix of lettuce
and cabbage topped with jumbo shrimp, feta, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, beets,
red onions and artichoke hearts. Even the steak sandwich comes with a Caesar
salad, or try any of a number of vegetarian offerings. Sugar-free desserts are
also available. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through
Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
CAFE LUNA
802 Nashville Ave. 269-2444
Cafe Luna is a cozy coffeehouse, ideally suited for relaxing with a book
or a couple of friends, but it also has one outstanding feature: a huge Victorian
porch, perfect for sitting and watching the Magazine Street rush pass you by.
While you're there, indulge in one of the freshly housemade French pastries or
sink your teeth into a hot grilled sandwich. No reservations. Continental breakfast,
lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAFE MARIGNY
1913 Royal St. 945-2716
www.cafemarigny.com
Don't call it just a coffeehouse, though the gourmet coffee is the featured
attraction on a beverage menu that includes teas and juices. For the hungry,
meals are also offered in the form of quiches, salads, sandwiches and pastries.
The crawfish pasta salad is popular, or treat yourself to the New York Classic
sandwich with smoked salmon, capers, red onions, tomatoes and cream cheese. No
reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAFE MASPERO
601 Decatur St. 523-6250
On busy weekends, you can usually find people waiting for entry to this popular
eatery, but don't worry, the line moves quickly. Two favorite dishes here are
the big muffaletta with housemade olive salad, and the hearty jambalaya. No reservations.
Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $
CAFE NEGRIL
606 Frenchmen St. 944-4744
www.cafenegril.com
Chef Cecil Palmer brings a little slice of Jamaica to Frenchmen Street with dishes
such as the shrimp Betty, sauteed shrimp in a lively Caribbean sauce with buttered
fettuccine. Try one of the exotic drinks, like the Goombay Smash or the Lil'
Rum Boogie. Also worth checking out is the popular seviche: fish, shrimp, peppers
and onions minced and marinated in lemon-lime juice. No reservations. Lunch Tuesday
through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Thursday and late-night Friday and Saturday.
Credit cards. $
CAFE PONTALBA
546 St. Peter St. 522-1180
Tourists and locals descend upon this eatery housed in a historic building
for authentic Cajun and Creole food, including the softshell Crab Pontalba served
with a tangy lemon-butter sauce and your choice of jambalaya or French fries.
No reservations. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $$
CAFE RANI
2917 Magazine St. 895-2500
American food gets a twist at this stylish cafe. The Creole trout is a grilled
fillet, served with a citrus beurre blanc and shrimp, while the Cajun trout (another
grilled fillet) is served with crawfish and a spicy Creole cream sauce. Pick
from their trio of specialty burgers: the Southwest (with pepper Jack cheese,
chipotle mayonnaise and avocado), the Cajun (with andouille sausage and remoulade
sauce), or the Blues (with blue cheese sauce). No reservations. Lunch and dinner
daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE RECONCILE
1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. 568-1157
This cafe is the project of the St. Regis Hospitality school, which gives
inner-city youths hands-on training and experience in the service industry. Cafe
Reconcile's menu is stocked with favorites such as white beans and shrimp, tasty
chicken gumbo and the Bananas Foster bread pudding. Reservations accepted for
large groups. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks.
$
CAFE ROMA
435 Wall Blvd., Gretna 392-2315
1119 Decatur St. 566-1800
1901 Sophie Wright Place 524-2419
2026 Metairie Road, Metairie 833-7662
3340 Bienville St. 827-2300
3358 Paris Road, Chalmette 270-0999
The pizzas at Cafe Roma keep folks coming back seven days a week. Vegetarians
love the spinach pizza and the artichoke pizza, while fans of seafood will want
to try the shrimp pizza. There's also fresh salads, yummy appetizers and Italian
comfort-food dishes including the shrimp pasta, which is shrimp in a savory cream
sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner
daily. Credit cards. $$
CAFE SATORA
3749 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 832-1444
Cafe Satora's breakfast options include omelets and croissant sandwiches,
while any-time specialties like salads and grilled panini sandwiches served on
thick focaccia bread keep the lunch crowd coming back for more. The best-selling
club panino features grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, bacon, red onions, avocado,
mozzarella and a special dressing. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast
and lunch daily, dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $
CAFE SBISA
1011 Decatur St. 522-5565
www.cafesbisa.com
Cafe Sbisa offers Creole-Cajun fare with live jazz each night. The barbecue shrimp,
marinated and served in a tangy butter bath with fresh herbs, is a traditional
New Orleans favorite. On the lighter side, try the trout Eugene. It is topped
with shrimp, crawfish and crab fingers, and served with rice and asparagus. Reservations
recommended. Dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE VOLAGE
720 Dublin St. 861-4227
A cozy, bistro-style restaurant tucked away in the Riverbend area, Cafe Volage
is the ideal reprieve for tired shoppers. The menu includes contemporary Louisiana
cuisine. The popular osso buco features a braised veal shank in a demi-glace
of scallion, mushroom and red wine, served with your choice of rice or pasta.
The Sunday brunch menu boasts 10 entree choices, dessert and all-you-can-drink
champagne for $17.95. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through
Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE YA YA
2240 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Kenner 466-5225
For both fresh and fried seafood off the regular menu or the daily specials,
Cafe Ya Ya is a "yes-yes" for crawfish etouffee, crawfish fettuccine Alfredo,
jambalaya or eggplant parmigiana that's layered like lasagna with eggplant, Parmesan
and mozzarella cheese. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $
CAFE ZEN
2112 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna 393-2293
Cafe Zen follows in the same traditions as its predecessors: Kanpai in Mid-City
and Hana in Carrollton-Riverbend. This West Bank sushi spot continues with the
same high-quality, creative dishes in a pleasant atmosphere. The extensive menu
features lobster roll and marble sashimi roll, as well as hot and cold sake.
No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAJUN CABIN
503 Bourbon St. 529-4256
www.patoutscajuncabin.com
Next door to Patout's Cajun Bistro sits the Cajun Cabin, with the same dishes
and music, but a vibe that's a bit more casual. Not to mention the oyster bar
(Shuck's) that's housed inside. Signature drinks like Swamp Water, a sweet combination
of vodka and coconut rum, get your taste buds revving for such dishes as alligator
bread, pizza-style French bread topped with alligator sausage, sauce piquante
and cheese. Reservations recommended. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit
cards. $$
CAJUN CATFISH HOUSE
521 Central Ave., Jefferson 733-9538
New Orleans and Italian dishes are bountiful here, but the real draw is the
fresh catfish that's filleted, marinated, coated with corn flour and fried to
order. Customers can specify crispness and thickness of their catfish. It comes
with French fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, onion rings and toast. No reservations.
Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAJUN MIKE'S PUB 'N' GRUB
116 Baronne St. 566-0055
People keep coming back to this downtown pub for all the usual suspects: seafood
gumbo, oyster po-boys and red beans and rice served with sausage and French bread.
There are also a few unusual characters, like Maria's Cubanito, a Cuban sandwich
with roasted pulled pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and ham stuffed in a
buttered roll and grilled. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner
and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
CAMELLIA GRILL
626 S. Carrollton Ave. 866-9573 Conveniently located on the street
car route at the Riverbend, the Camellia Grill is a virtual mecca for tourists
and a standby for locals; the food is just that good. The chocolate freeze milkshake
is a step back in time. Watch from your seat at the counter as the cooks blend
the huge omelettes and cook them up on the skillet. A variety of burgers are
also popular, including the signature Doc Brinker's, with two patties topped
with Swiss cheese on rye with chili and coleslaw on the side. Desserts include
chocolate-pecan pie, cream pies or New York-style cheesecake. No reservations.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Cash only. $
CANNON'S
4141 St. Charles Ave. 891-3200
197 Westbank Expwy. (Oakland Shopping Center), Gretna 364-1047
cannonsrestaurants.com
Both Cannon's locations have a firm hold on the affections of locals, thanks
to the restaurant's expertise with contemporary New Orleans cuisine. If you're
in a hurry to taste everything, start with the Appetizer Trio, which includes
generous portions of Biscayne coconut shrimp, eggplant sticks, and spinach dip.
The Cajun popcorn shrimp salad is a favorite, and the rich fudge nut brownie
is a nice way to end a meal. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $$
CAPPITA! ITALIAN BISTRO
2891 Hwy. 190, Mandeville (985) 626-5752
www.cappita-italian-bistro.com
Whether you live in New Orleans or on the Northshore you may want to checkout
Chef Michel Cooper's Italian offerings. To start, try the stuffed mushrooms;
cremini mushroom caps are filled with seafood stuffing and topped with lump crabmeat
and butter sauce. Children eat for $3.95. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner
daily. Credit cards. $$
CARMINE'S ITALIAN SEAFOOD & GRILL
4101 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 455-7904
The home of the famous seafood-stuffed artichoke, Carmine's serves up its
traditional Italian-Creole dishes. Favorites include the crawfish and shrimp
ravioli, and the 16-ounce ribeye steak. The whole steamed lobsters on Mondays
and Tuesdays for $9.95 may just make you think you are in Maine. Finish your
meal with Carmine's white chocolate bread pudding. Reservations recommended.
Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$
CARRETA'S GRILL
1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville (985) 727-7212
2320 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie 837-6696
Whet your appetite at Carreta's with appetizers of crawfish nachos or mushroom
quesadillas, then try one of the house specialties: a red snapper fillet served
in a special sauce with steamed vegetables. To complement the experience, the
Metairie location has live music on Wednesday nights, while the Mandeville location
offers live music on Thursdays. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks
in Mandeville; credit cards only in Metairie. $
CASA GARCIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
8814 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 464-0354
Casa Garcia uses the bounty of Louisiana seafood for some of its most popular
menu items. Chile rellenos stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp are an option, and
crabmeat and shrimp also fill seafood enchiladas. Fish lovers head for the tilapia
in a white wine and cilantro sauce. Traditionalists are always satisfied with
chicken enchiladas or tacos and green corn tamales. Reservations recommended.
Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
CASA TEQUILA
3229 Williams Blvd., Kenner 443-5423
No-nonsense Mexican fare is in the house at Casa Tequila, from sizzling fajitas
to grilled Mexican tacos, filled with beef or chicken and cooked with chopped
onion and cilantro. For a twist, try the spinach and artichoke quesadilla, a
10-inch flour tortilla lined with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and stuffed
with spinach and artichoke, then grilled until golden brown. Reservations accepted.
Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CASABLANCA RESTAURANT
3030 Severn Ave., Metairie 888-2209
www.kosherneworleans.com
Casablanca is the only New Orleans-area restaurant specializing in Moroccan
cuisine and one of the few restaurants to keep a kosher kitchen. In compliance
with the standards of kashruth, Chef Linda Waknin makes everything from scratch,
which means a more wholesome and flavorful meal for everyone. The Moroccan mystique
is evident in the Tanzia Fassi, a baked lamb sauteed with onions, prunes, sliced
almonds and Moroccan spices. Lunch Monday through Friday and Sunday, dinner Saturday
through Thursday. Credit cards. $$
CASAMENTO'S
4330 Magazine St. 895-9761
www.casamentosrestaurant.com
The old-fashioned tile facade is that of the quintessential New Orleans oyster
joint, and that's exactly what Casamento's delivers. A good way to enjoy its
signature shellfish is the oyster loaf, considered by many to be one of the best
in the city; the loaf features about a dozen fried oysters between two thick
slices of buttered pan bread, toasted over an open fire. No reservations. Lunch
and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Cash only. $$
CAUSEY'S COUNTRY KITCHEN
7245 Chef Menteur Hwy. 244-1209
Hop off I-10 for a stop at Causey's that's sure to please your soul. All
the favorites are represented: mustard greens, catfish, potato salad, barbecued
ribs and chitterlings and rice. For dessert, try the sweet potato pie and bread
pudding. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday,
dinner Thursday and Friday. Credit cards. $
CC'S COFFEE
2 Poydras St. (New Orleans Hilton Riverside) 525-0024
630 S. Carrollton Ave. 865-0027
650 Poydras St. (Poydras Center) 586-0278
701 Metairie Road, Metairie 831-1449
900 Jefferson Ave. 891-4969
910 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 465-0527
941 Royal St. 581-6996
1452 Louisiana Ave. 899-1866
1597 Gause Blvd., Slidell (985) 641-3177
2800 Esplanade Ave. 482-9865
2917 Magazine St. 891-2115
3647 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 454-1200
www.ccscoffee.com
The coffees that CC's brings to each of its stores around town are from beans
harvested across the globe. A variety of teas complement the coffee choices.
The food menu consists of several types of croissants, pastries, muffins and
sweets. The Poydras Center location offers a light lunch menu. No reservations.
Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
CELLARS OF RIVER RIDGE
1801 Dickory St., River Ridge 734-8455
The weekly Friday wine tasting (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) features selections from
Cellars' 2,000-plus wine collection. Choose from an assortment of gourmet cheeses.
Chef Charles Coulon recommends complementing your drink with the housemade chicken
tortilla soup, but for the martini lover try the green olives, stuffed with your
choice of blue cheese, feta cheese or anchovies. A wide variety of hot and cold
sandwiches and wraps also awaits you. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch
and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
CENTRAL GROCERY
923 Decatur St. 523-1620
The Central Grocery is reputed to be the oldest in the country, though it
has only been at its current location for a mere 30 years. Central is home to
the original muffaletta, but if you think you can improve on it they will deviate
from the time-honored recipe to prepare muffalettas to your specification: vegetarian,
all-salami, ham-and-cheese only whatever you want. No reservations. Lunch
and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
C'EST BON RESTAURANT
131 SW Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula (985) 386-4077
Located in the historic Hotard & Good building, C'est Bon is an elegant but
casual destination for a short road trip from New Orleans. This time of year,
try the pan-seared softshell crab. The fried chicken roulades, stuffed with spinach
and topped with sun-dried tomato basil butter sauce, are always a good choice.
Reservations accepted. Lunch daily, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards
and checks. $
CHARLEY G'S SEAFOOD GRILL
111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 837-6408
www.charleygs.com
Charley G's has rolled out a revamped menu this spring, highlighted by such appetizers
as the barbecue shrimp or crabmeat au gratin. For an entree, try Charley's Gulf
fish, with the catch changing daily and the fish typically pan-seared and topped
with lump crabmeat. But long-time Charley G's fans don't fret; the signature
crab cakes are still offered, either as an appetizer or entree. Reservations
recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit
cards. $$$
CHARLIE'S DELI
515 Harrison Ave. 486-1766
Worth the trip to the other side of City Park, this relaxed and homey restaurant
has been around for 15 years. Of the popular po-boys and plate lunch specials,
the Redman is a particular favorite: a hot roast beef po-boy with gravy, grilled
onions, Swiss cheese and mayonnaise. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner
Monday through Saturday. Checks and cash. $
CHARLIE'S STEAK HOUSE
4510 Dryades St. 895-9705
You'll never have to ask "Where's the beef?" at Charlie's. It's not only the
specialty but just about the only thing offered here. T-bones come in small,
medium or large (a term not taken lightly) and are the favored cut, although
filet mignon also is served. Side dishes include a quarter-head of iceberg lettuce
slathered with dressing and au gratin or French fried potatoes. Reservations
accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, dinner Saturday.
Credit cards. $$
CHATEAU COFFEE CAFE
139 Robert E. Lee Blvd. 286-1777
3501 Chateau Blvd., Kenner 465-9444
Fresh coffees, pastries and salads abound at the two Chateaus. The Kenner
location features the Southwestern chicken salad, prepared with salsa, corn,
black beans, tortilla chips and ranch dressing (it's also served as a special
at the Robert E. Lee Boulevard location). Daily hot lunch specials include red
beans and rice and grilled fresh fish, and there's not only a burger of the day
but also a soup of the day, fresh-made daily. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch
and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
CHATEAUBRIAND STEAKHOUSE
310 N. Carrollton Ave. 207-0016
www.chateaubriandsteakhouse.com
This elegant French steakhouse located in Mid-City is surely New Orleans'
only restaurant named after a founding member of romanticism in French literature,
and the ambience, menu and wine list reflect the sophisticated inclinations of
proprietors Eveline and Gerard Crozier. The petit filet au poivre vert, pan sauteed
and topped with green peppercorns and a brandy cream peppercorn sauce, is highly
recommended. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday
daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$$
CHEVY'S FRESH MEX
1201 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey 368-2100
1325 Esplanade Ave., Kenner 469-5657
3330 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-7788
www.chevysfreshmex.com
They aren't kidding when they say Chevy's "Fresh" Mex: the salsa is mixed
hourly, so you'll always have plenty of zip for your chips. Wash 'em down with
regular or oversized margaritas, and prepare for main dishes like ever-popular
fajitas, or fish tacos filled with flame-grilled fish, sweet corn tomalito, rice
and beans. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
CHEZ NOUS CHARCUTERIE
5701 Magazine St. 899-7303
Uptowners will attest to the countless times Chez Nous has saved the day for
dinner parties and other gatherings. Whether you're in need of a prepared meal
for one or catering for 50, Chez Nous can help you out. Get a bowl of seafood
gumbo or homemade tomato basil soup. Sunday brunch features dishes that will
stick to your ribs, such as the traditional New Orleans grillades and grits.
No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch on Sunday.
Credit cards and checks. $
CHINA BLOSSOM
1801 Stumpf Blvd., Suite 8, Gretna 361-4598
www.chinablossomrestaurant.com
For more than 14 years, China Blossom has been serving up a vast array of
Chinese specialties on the West Bank. These include the Tong Cho oysters, fried
whole trout and grilled shrimp. Special combination plates, such as the chicken
tenderloin grilled and topped with crawfish tails, stir fried in a ginger, wine
and garlic sauce, are available on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Reservations
accepted. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday, lunch
and dinner Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CHINA ORCHID
704 S. Carrollton Ave. 865-1428
China Orchid offers healthy Chinese cooking in the Mandarin, Szechuan and
Hunan styles, brought to you by the same owners of Golden Dragon? Well, both
restaurants have the same owners. For two decades, diners at China Orchid have
dived into favorites like General Tsao's Chicken and the extremely popular Emperor's
Chow Mein: pan-fried noodles with chicken, beef, shrimp, pork and vegetables
in a brown sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CHINA ROSE
125 Robert E. Lee Blvd. 283-3333
yp.bellsouth.com/sites/chinarose/
The extensive China Rose menu, which features Szechuan, Cantonese and Weiyang
cooking, includes more than 300 Chinese dishes. Dining possibilities abound,
such as the Lucky Shrimp, boiled with green onions, ginger and soybean sauce,
and the China Rose Special Duck, marinated in spices and stir-fried with bell
peppers and bean sprouts. Lunch specials run all day Monday as well as 11:30
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations accepted. Lunch and
dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
CHINA TOWN GOURMET
3100 17th St., Metairie 834-9065
Try Gourmet versions of a wide range of noodles, including the Ja-Jing Mein
-- shrimp, pork and cucumber with black bean sauce on soft noodles -- and the
Singapore Chow Fun, stir-fried shrimp and vegetables with rice noodles. Favorites
include the General Tsao's chicken, Mongolian beef, and the Szechuan-style eggplant.
Ask about the lunch specials. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $$
CHRISTIAN'S
3835 Iberville St. 482-4924
www.neworleansrestaurants.com/christians
A steeple on the Mid-City skyline can guide you to this inspired Creole restaurant,
located in a beautifully renovated Lutheran church. Diners are apt to make overwrought
religious references while enjoying the baby veal "Christian," pan sauteed in
a cream sauce with Port and Morel mushrooms. Reservations recommended. Lunch
Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$$
CHURROS CAFE
3100 Kingman St., Suite 104, Metairie 885-6516
Offering you a taste of Cuba, Churros has a number of specialty items, including
roast pork, served with black beans, rice and yucca. Another favorite is the
Cuban sandwich, served hot and pressed with ham, sliced pork and Swiss cheese.
For something sweet after all that spice, try the tres leche cake, soaked in
condensed, regular and evaporated milk and topped with a sweet meringue. Delivery
available. No reservations. Breakfast Monday through Friday, lunch Monday through
Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
CLANCY'S
6100 Annunciation St. 895-1111
An Uptown institution, Clancy's is where those in the know come for Creole-inspired
cuisine. A few house specialties are house-smoked meats, smoked softshell crab
in meuniere sauce, fried eggplant sticks, and risotto with lobster and oysters
with Brie. The dessert menu includes homemade treats like lemon icebox pie and
peppermint ice cream. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tuesday through Friday,
dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$
CLOVER GRILL
900 Bourbon St. 598-1010
www.clovergrill.com
When you just can't drink anymore unless you eat something -- but you don't
want to miss any of the action -- the Clover Grill is an obvious stop. Servers
are so entertaining that one was recruited for a recent theatrical production.
In between comments, they'll serve up mushroom-bacon cheeseburgers made with
USDA Prime beef grilled under American-made hubcaps. No reservations. Open 24
hours. Credit cards. $
COBALT
333 St. Charles Ave. 565-5595
www.cobaltrestaurant.com
Executive Chef Brack May and consultant Susan Spicer have won accolades for their
inventive and daring gourmet menus. Brand-new menu items include two venison
dishes, a grilled venison T-bone and housemade venison sausage with green chile
corn pudding and a huckleberry sauce. Another new item is the pan-seared sweetbreads
with country ham, crab and a mustard-Madeira butter. Reservations recommended.
Lunch Monday through Friday, breakfast and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
COFFEE & COMPANY
1515 Poydras St. 522-3335
800 Harrison Ave. 488-8946
Along with the various specialty coffees, both Coffee & Company locations
feature New York-style bagels, as well as housemade soups for a popular, healthy
lunch break. If you're at the Poydras location, try the Cobb salad, with turkey,
bacon, lettuce and tomato topped with avocado and rich blue cheese. At the
Harrison stop, check out the Southwest salad, which comes with lettuce, black
beans and
corn marinated in lemon, lime and cilantro, with or without chicken. No reservations.
Breakfast and lunch daily at both locations, dinner daily at Harrison Avenue.
Credit cards and checks. $
COFFEE BEAN EUROPEAN CAFE
3244 Severn Ave., Metairie 456-9870
Coffee Bean offers the full slate of coffeehouse drinks, plus the popular
sugar-free iced blended mocha. Just in time for the warm weather come frozen
cappuccinos, in flavors such as pecan, fudge brownie, French vanilla and cafe
au lait. Diners can choose from soup made fresh daily or hot-plate specials,
along with a variety of salads and sandwiches. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch
and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
COFFEE COTTAGE
2559 Metairie Road, Metairie 833-3513
5860 Citrus Blvd., Jefferson 818-0051
www.coffeecottage.com
Fresh and tasty are the words of the day at both Coffee Cottage locations.
Start the day off right with a three-egg crawfish omelette served with cheese
grits. For lunch or dinner, the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich makes a
hearty meal. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards
and checks. $
COFFEE COVE
3431 Houma Blvd., Metairie 780-9445
Coffee Cove boasts a daily full-service breakfast menu, or stop by later
for a variety of daily lunches featuring chef's specials and sandwiches. It also
now offers a champagne brunch on Sunday with such traditional favorites as veal
grillades and grits. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards and checks. $
COFFEE POT
714 St. Peters St. 524-3500
Offering more than the typical coffee shop, the Coffee Pot serves up a hearty
breakfast as well as a satisfying lunch and dinner. The classic Cajun and Creole
meals include jambalaya, shrimp Creole, blackened redfish and the seafood platter
with fried oysters, shrimp, trout, softshell crab and fries. Reservations required
for large parties. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
COFFEE RANI
234-A Lee Lane, Covington (985) 893-6158
3517 Hwy. 190 (Pontchartrain Square), Mandeville (985) 674-0560
Coffee and pastries are only the beginning at Coffee Rani. For breakfast,
try the Chunky Monkey Waffles with chocolate chips and bananas, topped with whipped
cream. A healthy and tasty lunch may consist of their Tandoori Tuna, a pan-seared
fresh tuna steak served on a whole wheat bun with chutney-mayo spread and garnished
with shaved cucumber slices, tomato and red onion. No reservations. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
COLUMBIA
STREET NATURAL FOODS
415 N. Columbia St., Covington (985) 893-0355 Local organic farmers
sell their produce to this organic grocery and specialty store, and the food-service
staff makes it into yummy treats such as sprout salads with housemade garlic
or vinaigrette dressing or pita sandwiches made with free-range chicken or a
host of fresh vegetables. The menu also features fresh egg salad sandwiches,
tuna and chicken salads, vegetable and hummus wraps and a changing range of daily
sandwich specials. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards
and checks. $
COME BACK INN II
3826 Williams Blvd., Kenner 433-1623
www.comebackinn.com
The secret to getting customers to come back "inn" is simple: lots of food
at a reasonable price. It's been a winning formula for the Kenner location, which
has 'em coming again and again for the chicken Pierre, a fried boneless breast,
topped with a shrimp, crawfish and crabmeat cream sauce and served with spicy
garlic mashed potatoes. You can't go wrong with the hot muffaletta, made exactly
as nature intended. The menu also includes daily lunch specials, pizza, po-boys
and children's dinners. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards.
$
COMMANDER'S PALACE
1403 Washington Ave. 899-8221
www.commanderspalace.com
The standard for New Orleans cooking is set by Commander's Palace. Executive
Chef Tory McPhail continues to turn out the perennial favorites such as turtle
soup, but has also updated the menu with innovative dishes like oysters in champagne
jelee, deep-dish rabbit and foie gras pie, and Jack Daniels-lacquered Mississippi
quail. There are bargain lunches for the budget conscious and jazz brunches on
weekends. Reservations required. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, brunch
Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$
COMMON GROUNDS
335 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 227-2200
As you could probably guess from the name, Common Grounds specializes in
coffee, including cappuccinos, espressos and now, frozen cappuccinos in flavors
like mocha and French vanilla. But they also serve lunch and dinner, including
hearty burgers and specialty sandwiches, like the Hot Honey P. Long, which features
honey-baked ham, Monterey Jack cheese and a creamy vinaigrette on olive bread.
Delivery available with $25 minimum. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
daily. Credit cards and checks. $
COOP'S PLACE
1109 Decatur St. 525-9053
Coop's has been around for 20 years now and has the recipe for success in
the Quarter down pat: it makes tasty, affordable food that's available all day
and late at night. The smoked duck quesadillas and alligator nuggets shouldn't
be missed. The Taste Plate feeds two easily, with a sampling of seafood gumbo,
rabbit and sausage jambalaya, shrimp Creole, red beans and rice, smoked sausage,
and fried chicken all for $10.95. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and
late-night daily. Credit cards. $
COPELAND'S
680 N. Hwy. 190, Covington (985) 809-9659
701 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 831-3437
1001 S. Clearview Pkwy., Jefferson 733-7843
1337 Gause Blvd., Slidell (985) 643-0001
1700 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey 364-1575
4338 St. Charles Ave. 897-2325
This local restaurant chain within the Al Copeland empire has grown on a
success based in part on an ability to feed every taste in the family. The kitchen's
dexterity is proven in complex dishes like the eggplant pirogue, which entails
fried eggplant slices smothered in an au gratin sauce with shrimp and crab claws,
served over angel hair pasta. Reservations accepted. Hours vary by location.
Credit cards. $$
COPELAND'S CHEESECAKE BISTRO
2001 St. Charles Ave. 593-9955
4517 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 454-7620
www.copelandscheesecakebistro.com
Start out your Copeland's experience with one of the original drinks, like the
Category 6 Cosmopolitan. Then settle down to scanning the dozens of menu items,
including unique dishes like the barbecue shrimp linguine served in a cheese
pizza bowl. And don't forget dessert: With more than 40 types of cheesecakes
to choose from, as well as sweets like the white chocolate bread pudding, it
might be the best part. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch
Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CORKY'S BAR-B-Q
4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-5000
Corky's specializes in (what else?) barbecue: the Memphis-style wet or dry
pork ribs are classics. But the eatery also offers hamburgers, chicken, hot tamales
and seafood dishes for Lent. The house's special batter-fried onion loaf is perfect
as a starter, or get the half-loaf for a side. Delivery available. No reservations.
Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CORNER CAFE
3316 Green Acres Road, Metairie 454-1008
When you and your sweetie are hankerin' for seafood, head here and tuck into
the seafood platter for two. Heaping piles of stuffed jalapenos, onion rings,
crab balls, hush puppies, shrimp, oysters, catfish, stuffed shrimp, popcorn shrimp,
baby softshell crabs and two servings of gumbo await you. No reservations. Lunch
daily, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
THE CORNER OYSTER BAR
500 St. Peter St. 522-2999
www.thecorneroysterbarandgrill.com
As its name suggests, freshly shucked oysters are a specialty at the raw
oyster bar, but the squeamish will be happy to find the boiled shrimp and crawfish
in season. Out-of-towners must try the Taste of New Orleans, which provides a
sampling of jambalaya, red beans and rice, and gumbo. No reservations. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
COTE SUD
7918 Maple St. 866-9551
Located just a couple of blocks from the streetcar line, this darling Uptown
restaurant still serves the pizzas that made it famous when it was known as Ciro's.
But don't let this fool you; the menu is decidedly French. Two new items include
sauteed frog's legs salad and duck confit. A house favorite is mussels, steamed
in a blue cheese and white wine sauce. Delivery available. Reservations recommended.
Dinner daily. Checks and cash. $$
COTTAGE CAFE
423 10th St., Gretna 366-2233
The varied menu -- from the fried stuffed catfish fillet to several Sugar
Busters selections -- make the Cottage Cafe a sure bet for a grumble-free family
outing. However, the velvety corn, crab and shrimp bisque may inspire some sibling
rivalry, so if you can't resist it, be prepared to share. Another favorite is
the veal and oyster Marsala, featuring veal medallions, topped with a mushroom
and Marsala sauce and surrounded by lightly battered fried oysters. All dinners
are served with a house salad and side dish. Reservations recommended. Lunch
Monday through Friday, dinner Thursday though Saturday. Credit cards. $$
COUNTRY FLAME
620 Iberville St. 522-1138
This little cantina is a favorite lunch spot for those wishing to escape the
CBD without having to give tourists directions to Jackson Square. Conveniently
tucked away on the edge of the Quarter, Country Flame has something for all kinds
of Hispanofiles. The affordable menu includes Mexican, Spanish and Cuban favorites,
while the happily tattered setting evokes the charm of New Orleans' Central American
neighbors. Favorites include the Spanish empanada, a pastry stuffed with spicy
ground beef. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Delivery available.
Credit cards. $
COUVILLONI'S RESTAURANT AND CATERING
2036 Poydras St. 522-0441
Couvilloni's offers an array of gourmet pizzas, sandwiches and salads with
a focus on fresh ingredients. Two popular salads are the chicken Caesar salad
with homemade Caesar dressing, and the Mediterranean salad with sun-dried tomato
dressing. Delivery available. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
CRABBY JACK'S
428 Jefferson Hwy. 833-2722
The menu specials here change with the whims of colorful owner Jack Leonardi
(check out the shorts!), so visit often for a wide variety of locally inspired
dishes. New choices on the standard menu are duck and andouille gumbo, turtle
soup, and crab chowder, while the po-boys remain a sandwich lover's delight.
Hit the seafood market for a fresh daily selection to take home. No reservations.
Lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
CRAZY JOHNNY'S STEAKHOUSE
3520 18th St., Metairie, 887-6641
www.crazyjohnnies.com
The signature dish at Crazy Johnnie's is a N.O.M. ("Not on Menu") special
-- the Crawfish Johnnie. Served as an entree over rice or as an appetizer over
croutons, this creation features crawfish, mushrooms and onions in a creamy sauce.
Wine by the bottle is half price on "Wine Lovers Tuesdays," and a filet mignon
dinner -- including the famous Crazy Potatoes -- can be had for only $8.95 between
5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. No reservations. Lunch Monday through
Saturday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CRESCENT CITY BREWHOUSE
527 Decatur St. 522-0571
www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com
You know the food must be good if the beer is gourmet, and that's definitely
the case at this French Quarter microbrewery. Try the pan-seared red snapper
Tchoupitoulas topped with fried oysters and a barbecue sauce made with butter,
black pepper and Worcestershire. Reservations recommended. Lunch, dinner and
brunch daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$
CRESCENT CITY STEAKHOUSE
1001 N. Broad St. 821-3271
You'll not see the menu change at Crescent City Steakhouse, where the manager
states, "What we are is what we've always been." USDA Prime steaks stand on their
own without sauces to cover their taste, although they are served in sizzling
butter. Filet mignon, ribeye, T-bone and porterhouse steaks are cooked to order
under a gas broiler and served with sides such as spinach au gratin or Lyonnaise
potatoes sauteed with onions. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tuesday
through Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CROISSANT D'OR PATISSERIE
617 Ursulines Ave. 524-4663
Newcomers to Croissant D'Or soon discover that even the dazzling array of
items that are made with croissants still make up only a part of the menu. Veggie
salads and fruit salad, pastries and two soups du jour (served with a mini-croissant)
round out the menu. Delivery available. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch
daily. Visa/MC. $
CRUSTACEAN'S & MORE
3827 Frenchmen St. 943-8727
Among the soul food and seafood menu items is the crawfish pasta, where crawfish
tails, peppers, onions and garlic are tossed with seafood Alfredo sauce and fettuccine.
Crustacean's stuffed crabs are another favorite. Reservations accepted. Delivery
for five orders or more. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards
and checks. $$
CRYSTAL ROOM
833 Poydras St. (Le Pavillon Hotel) 581-3111
www.lepavillon.com
What better way to start your day than with the tinkling of chandeliers and a
breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, andouille sausage and housemade grits? For
lunch you can sample the gourmet pasta and salad bar, or order a la carte. Dinner
features a full gourmet menu with house specialties such as beef burgundy, where
marinated beef tenderloin tips are flame broiled and served over a bed of buttered
noodles. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit
cards. $$
CUCO'S
1340 S. Carrollton Ave. 861-3322
2000 SW Railroad Ave., Hammond (985) 345-2634
2766 Belle Chase Hwy., Gretna 393-7766
3038 W. Park Ave. (Southland Mall Shopping Center), Houma (985) 868-0800
5048 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 454-5005
Yes, Cuco's is a chain with a diverse menu to satisfy your individual Mexican
cravings, but there are often a few surprises beyond fajitas and popular combo
plates like the Mexi-Cali at each location. The Carrollton location, for example,
features the Mojo De Ajo, broiled and seasoned tilapia with garlic butter and
spices. Or try the enchiladas del norte, chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce.
No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CYBER BAR & CAFE AT THE CAC
900 Camp St. (Contemporary Arts Center) 523-0990
www.cacno.org
After checking out the CAC's shows or exhibitions, visitors can check their
email with the free Internet access in this stylish cafe. The array of sweets
includes a rotating selection of cookies, cake, cinnamon rolls, muffins, bagels,
chips, candy bars and scones. For something more substantial, try a La Spiga
sandwich. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, snacks during some CAC
evening events. Credit cards and checks. $
CYPRESS BISTRO
115 Gerard St., Mandeville (985) 727-9909
This jaunty Northshore bistro serves contemporary American and regional cuisine.
Lunch offerings include crabcakes over mixed greens and a prime rib-eye salad.
For dinner, try the potato-crusted salmon, the slow-roasted duck, or the sesame-crusted
ahi tuna. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Tuesday
through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$
CYPRESS BISTRO DOWNTOWN
1011 Village Walk, Covington (985) 893-3080
The sister restaurant to the Cypress Bistro in Mandeville, the downtown location
offers similar contemporary and regional flavors. Local favorites include the
veal with crabmeat served over risotto and the pepper-seared tuna with shrimp
wontons. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Tuesday
through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$
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