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Spring Restaurant Guide
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SABAI'S THAI CUISINE
505 Gretna Blvd., Suite 16, Gretna 367-2810
Pad Thai is the mainstay of many Thai restaurants, and Sabai's version is very popular with its clientele. Thai basil, served with shrimp, beef or chicken, is also a popular order. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SAIA'S ON THE LAKE
200 Old Hammond Hwy., Metairie 831-5700
Chef-owner Sal Saia's new restaurant in Bucktown opens for dinner this week (Wednesday) with a fresh menu. Saia has retained the steaks, lamb chops and pork chops that regular customers of Saia's Beef Room expect, but he's also added lots of seafood and pasta, including shrimp and tasso, shrimp Parmesan, stuffed eggplant, softshell crab, fried seafood, crawfish fettuccine and more. Lunch Tuesday through Friday (beginning April 6), dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$
SAKE CAFE
817 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 468-8829;
4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 779-7253
Bento Box Dinners offer lots of options, such as tempura with chicken, beef or salmon teriyaki, a California roll, plus soup, salad and an appetizer. Smaller appetites can choose a la carte sushi, sashimi, rolls, soups or salads. Reservations recommended on weekends. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SAKE CAFE UPTOWN
2830 Magazine St. 894-0033
If you like it spicy, check out the Akita snapper, a deep-fried fillet served with asparagus in a chili lime miso sauce. For a new twist on shrimp, try the Kuruma jumbo shrimp stuffed with snow crab and topped with a peanut wasabi sauce. A dish of banana tempura ends the meal with a touch of sweetness. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SAL AND SAM'S
4300 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 885-5566
The restaurant staff prides itself on table service, preparing such dishes as Caesar salad, bananas Foster and steak Diane tableside. The osso buco -- white veal cooked for hours until tender -- also highlights the menu. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$$
SAL'S SEAFOOD
1512 Barataria Blvd., Marrero 341-8112
Sal's has boiled seafood to go, a full deli, and a full-service restaurant. Try the catfish platter with French fries and coleslaw, maybe some corn and onion rings. Shrimp po-boys, hot roast beef and crawfish pies are in demand. Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday is takeout only. Credit cards. $
SALT 'N' PEPPER RESTAURANT
201 N. Peters St. 561-6070
This Pakistani place in the French Quarter features beef kebabs and chicken kebabs for Quarter visitors, particularly the late-night crowd. The kebabs are served with rice and bread to round out the affordable meals offered here. Lunch and dinner and late night daily. Cash only. $
SALVATORE RISTORANTE
3226 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie 455-2433;
www.chefsfreerecipe.com
Dedicated to Italian cuisine, Salvatore Ristorante presents a menu that includes both classics and innovative interpretations. Consider the chicken Grande: free-range chicken roasted in extra virgin oil, rosemary, garlic and potatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SAMMY'S LIVE OAK MARKET & DELI
801 Live Oak St., Metairie 835-0916
Seafood lovers can take advantage of all-you-can-eat trout and fresh softshell crabs on Fridays and Saturdays. Other days have popular daily specials and standard items, such as the favored roast beef po-boy piled high with house-cooked roast beef dripping with gravy. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
SAMMY'S STEAK & LOBSTER
627 Bourbon St. 525-8442
This French Quarter restaurant has a porch close enough to soak in the excitement of Bourbon Street but far enough away to enjoy a peaceful dinner. Try a revamped Taste of New Orleans special, which features a cup of gumbo, jambalaya and a crawfish pie for $12.95. Also popular is a traditional surf-and-turf combo with blackened fish and shrimp. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SAMURAI SUSHI
239 Decatur St. 525-9595
To help put a little spring in the step of sushi lovers, Samurai offers an expansive menu that includes new treats such as the Joy roll, prepared with snow crab, salmon, tuna, yellowtail and asparagus in rice paper. It's served on a bed of mixed greens with a spicy mayonnaise sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SANDRO'S TRATTORIA
6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-7784
Calling on family recipes from the Abruzzi region of Italy, Sandro's offers classics such as lasagna as well as lesser-known treats such as an appetizer of spinach lightly sauteed in garlic and olive oil topped with a choice of marinated grilled eggplant or portobello mushroom topped with grilled Roma tomatoes. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SANTE FE RESTAURANT
801 Frenchmen St. 944-6854
For a tasty Southwestern concoction, opt for the Ruedas de Huevo, where a fried tortilla is filled with chicken, sweet potatoes and chili and covered with cheeses and a fried egg. Or try the Puerco con Manzanas, with pork tenders flambeed with brandy and sauteed with apples, nuts and herbs. Dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SARA'S
724 Dublin St. 861-0565;
www.sarasrestaurant.com
Sara's unique take on Asian-Creole changes with the season. A great springtime appetizer is the crawfish egg roll, served with an oyster sweet chile dipping sauce. Signature dishes, such as sesame-crusted salmon and teriyaki steak, remain. Try the Jamaican-spice coated lamb chops, pan-seared and finished in the oven. Lunch Tuesday through Saturday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $$
SAZERAC BAR & GRILL
123 Baronne St. (Fairmont Hotel) 529-4733
The Sazerac Bar and Grill invites you to not only sample the world-famous, namesake cocktail, but also enjoy its traditional Creole cuisine. Signature dishes include the lobster bisque and the Fairmont salad. For dinner, the kitchen offers a chef's special. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch seasonally. Credit cards. $$$
SCHIRO'S COMMUNITY CAFE AND BAR
2483 Royal St. 944-6666
Schiro's is many things to many people -- laundromat, grocery store, cocktail-hour favorite, cozy bed and breakfast. From the kitchen, try entrees such as salmon, steak, wraps, burgers and sandwiches. 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. $
SEA LEVEL
133 N. Carrollton Ave. 482-5565
Chef Andrew Martinez's ³modern Creole² cuisine often involves seafood, and for this Lenten season, look for the kitchen to be even more focused on the ocean's produce. House specialties range from the shrimp po-boy, served with a Tabasco tartar sauce, to entrees such as the seared rare tuna with crawfish and basil butter sauce and a potato pancake subtly flavored with scallion. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch weekdays, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SEMOLINA
100 Tyler Square, Covington (985) 898-0004;
137-139B Westbank Expwy., Gretna 361-8293;
1503 Gause Blvd., Slidell (985) 641-3456;
2999 Hwy. 190, Mandeville (985) 626-8923;
3226 Magazine St. 895-4260;
3501 W. Chateau Blvd., Kenner 468-1047;
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Clearview Shopping Center) 454-7930;
5080 Pontchartrain Blvd. 486-5581;
www.semolina.com
Semolina's is a local favorite, and for much more than just pasta. There is something for everyone, with dishes from the bayou to Latin America, from the Southwest to Italy and more. Thai curry shrimp is a perennial favorite, and the daily specials include a double-cheeseburger pasta on Wednesdays. For a limited time, enjoy 12 different crawfish dishes. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SHELL SHUCKED
1506 Carrollton Ave. 861-1003
Open now for just one month, Shell Shucked has its namesake specialty with oysters. But local flavors and seafood are also heavily featured. A new favorite is the fried green tomatoes appetizer, served with a crawfish and mushroom sauce. For an entree, try the salmon stuffed with crabmeat and served with sauteed vegetables. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SHIMMY SHACK
1855 Dock St. 729-4442
Owners of the Rivershack Tavern kept the fun, freewheeling atmosphere then added the gourmet background of Chef Ryan Knight to create Shimmy Shack. Here, a long list of specials joins salads, po-boys, steaks and seafood on the menu. Start with the blackened shrimp remoulade salad with a homemade dressing, then try panini sandwiches (Philly, Southwestern, veggie, etc.). Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
SIAM CAFE
435 Esplanade Ave. 949-1750
This hip Thai restaurant cooks a wide range of tofu, meat, seafood and noodle dishes. The pad Thai is a classic, with traditional Chantaboon noodles mixed with sauteed shrimp, chicken breast, bean sprouts, peanuts and chili powder; the curries include a smooth red curry with coconut milk, bamboo shoots and sweet peppers. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$
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. This spring, as always, the boiled mudbugs come 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. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $$
SIDELINES BAR & GRILL
1229 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 831-4002
As the name suggests, sports are a house specialty here, with several televised games complementing drinks and dinner. The menu ranges from burgers and tuna off the grill. For lighter fare, try the Caesar salad with homemade dressing. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily, with discounted prices for anyone in the military service. Credit cards. $
SILKY O'SULLIVAN'S
311 Decatur St. 525-1011
While both chain and local upstart barbecue joints seem to be popping up all over town these days, Silky O'Sullivan's remains an established favorite that won't change its style. The Memphis-style barbecue ribs are dry-rubbed and apple-and-hickory smoked. The brisket po-boy and pulled pork po-boys both feature meats that have been smoked for 13 hours. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$
SLIM GOODIES
3322 Magazine Street 891-3447
This diner offers breakfast all day. Diners can have their eggs smothered with chili, bacon, hash browns and cheese, while vegans can enjoy tofu smothered with veggie chili, hash browns and smoked tempeh. There's also crawfish etouffee, meatloaf, burgers and many other non-breakfast offerings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
SMILIE'S RESTAURANT
5725 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan 733-3000
On Sunday's, Smilie's champagne brunch, complemented by live music, is always a popular bet. For the remainder of the week, Smilie's draws in diners with its seafood specials including the stuffed shrimp plaunche. Augie's delight is a 6-oz. filet mignon and a jumbo softshell crab, served over a bouquet of fresh vegetables. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
SMITH & WOLLENSKY
1009 Poydras St. 561-0770;
www.smithandwollensky.com
All the beef steaks are dry-aged in house for 28 days before being cooked to order. A regular favorite is the special Cajun ribeye, marinated in Cajun oil spiced with garlic cayenne pepper, olive oil and more for 72 hours before it is cooked. Reservations recommended. Lunch, dinner, late night daily. Credit cards. $$$
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 popular 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 fruit salad that features romaine lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, walnuts, raisins and Monterey Jack cheese, kissed with poppy seed dressing. Lunch and early dinner Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $
SPEAKEASY SPORTSBAR AND GRILL
3345 Williams Blvd., Kenner 466-4069
Leave your troubles at the door when you come to the Speakeasy, where the beer is cold and the sports action is hot. A brand new menu addition is the 8-oz. ribeye steak, served with French fries. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
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. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
SPUDLY'S SUPER SPUDS
2609 Harvard Ave., Metairie 455-SPUD (7783);
www.spudly.com
Spudly's motto is ³a meal in a baked potato,² and the restaurant is as good as its 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 garnished with cheddar cheese and chives. Soups, salads and burgers are also on the menu. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
SOUTHERN PO-BOYS
720 Claiborne Drive, Jefferson 835-3035
Southern has all the po-boy basics covered, from a traditional roast beef smothered in gravy to choices of shrimp, oyster, catfish and softshell crab. The kitchen also prepares an Italian muffaletta and on Fridays and Saturdays gets busy with all-you-can-eat catfish specials. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
ST. CHARLES TAVERN
1433 St. Charles Ave. 523-9823
The doors are always open and both breakfast and beer are offered around the clock at the Tavern. The tenderloin hash is a breakfast for serious eaters: tender chunks of beef, spicy red potatoes, green pepper and onion are grilled and served with two eggs any style and toast or a biscuit. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $
STAR STEAK & LOBSTER
237 Decatur St. 525-6151
The star attraction for diners is a 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. Or 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 choices offered at area Starbucks include muffins, cakes and scones, including an icing-glazed cinnamon scone. Summer drinks include frappuccinos, some coffee-based, some caffeine free. Hours vary by location. Credit cards and checks. $
THE STEAK KNIFE RESTAURANT & BAR
888 Harrison Ave. 488-8981;
www.thesteakknife.com
More than just a classic-styled steakhouse, The Steak Knife also offers a large selection of seafood items. Besides all the steaks, other choice meats include a center-cut, 14-oz. pork chop grilled and topped with caramelized yellow onions and served with a demi-glace sauce and mashed sweet potatoes. Live jazz is performed every Friday and Saturday night, no cover charge. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
THE STEAK PIT
609 Bourbon St. 525-3406
Many visitors and locals have found that the Steak Pit provides the perfect fortification for a night out on the town. The New York strip steak is a belly-filler, served with a garden salad, baked potato and onion soup, while the Jim Beam Bourbon BBQ baby back ribs take half a slab of ribs and slow cooks them with that special sauce, then serves them up with New Orleans filthy rice. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $
STELLA!
1032 Chartres St. 587-0091;
www.restaurantstella.com
Louisiana native Chef Scott Boswell constantly changes his menu to reflect seasonal tastes and freshness. This spring, try the sesame-crusted Gulf blue fin tuna, which comes served with a veggie stir fry, organic pea shoots, mizuma greens and balsamic soy butter. A top-flight wine list is another house specialty. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $$$$
STEVE'S DINER
828 Gravier St. 522-8198
Serving the CBD both breakfast and lunch, this relative newcomer specializes in specialties. The spicy Gulf shrimp salad is served on a bed of baby mixed greens with avocado, corn, blue cheese, sunflower seeds and a sesame ginger dressing. A number of low-carb items dot the menu, most notably the bronzed catfish with a lemon-butter shrimp sauce. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
STEVE'S MID-CITY DELI
4701 S. Carrollton Ave. 486-8889
The former Mr. Ed's is now Steve's Mid-City Deli, and it's a safe bet when you arrive Steve himself will be taking orders. Check out the rotating daily specials ranging from lasagna to chicken wings, salads to po-boys. There's something for everyone, including seafood, sandwiches and everything in between. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
STILL PERKIN'
2727 Prytania St. 899-0335
In addition to a frozen lemonade granita sure to cool you off, Still Perkin' offers standards such as iced coffee and iced mocha. Bottled juices are also good for those avoiding caffeine. Enjoy a La Spiga sandwich for lunch, with a rich chocolate butter-cream square to finish. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
STINGRAY'S SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR
1303 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner 443-4040
The ocean's catch is the kitchen's focus here, evidenced in dishes such as the shrimp Nicole, a popular entree with shrimp, diced mushrooms and green onions served with a white cream sauce over angel hair or fettuccine pasta. If you need a break from seafood, try the grilled chicken, served with one side. Every weekday there's a lunch special for $5.95. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
STITCHES BAR & GRILL
3941 Houma Blvd., Metairie 454-6266
Stitches' happy hour greets you weekdays with drink specials from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, you can order up the ribeye special, served with a baked potato, for only $6.95. For soup, try the crab corn bisque. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Saturday. Credit cards. $
STIXX RESTAURANT
535 E. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette 276-2742
Contemporary Creole cuisine here includes Stixx's feature dish, the chicken Louisiane, a paneed chicken breast served over angel hair pasta with crawfish cream sauce. Menu surprises include sushi rolls and sashimi. Reservations recommended. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SUGAR HOUSE
315 Julia St. (Embassy Suites Hotel) 525-1993;
www.embassysuites.com/es/neworleans
The fare here includes the Grouper West Indies, fresh fish grilled with a spicy West Indies sauce, crowned with shrimp topping and served with grilled vegetables and a choice of rice, garlic mashed potatoes or rosemary mashed potatoes. Finish with traditional bread pudding with rum sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch buffet Monday through Friday, dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SUGAR MAGNOLIA
1910 Magazine St. 529-1110;
www.sugarmagnoliarestaurant.com
Chef Tom Morelli prepares authentic New Orleans cuisine inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients. Try oysters on the half-shell, or go for the tempura-fried softshell crabs with soy syrup, served with mashed sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables. Reservations recommended for six or more. Lunch Monday through Sunday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards. $$
SUKHO THAI
1913 Royal St. 948-9309
This newcomer to the Faubourg Marigny Triangle features an extensive menu of Thai dishes. Curries, noodles, soups, game, beef, seafood -- the choices are nearly endless. Fresh seasonings and spice are trademarks. BYOB. Reservations recommended for six or more. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SUN RAY GRILL
619 Pink St., Metairie 837-0055;
1051 Annunciation St. 566-0021;
2600 Belle Chasse Hwy., Gretna 391-0053;
www.sunraygrill.com
This local chain is expanding not only its menu, with a host of new salads for the spring and summer, but also with a fourth location slated to open in the next couple of months in Mid-City's American Can Co. building. Diners also will find daily specials based on whatever local produce is the freshest or regular items such as Tokyo tuna: ahi tuna crusted with sesame seeds and served with coconut rice and cucumber salad. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
SUPER POPEYES
3850 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 885-0356
When they say ³Super,² they're not kidding around at this mega version of the popular fried chicken franchise. Fajitas, barbecue, entree salads, po-boys and several platters adorn Super Popeyes' extensive menu, along with the fried chicken, of course. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
SUPERIOR GRILL
3636 St. Charles Ave. 899-4200;
www.superiorgrill.com
Southwest flavors emanate throughout the menu, which ranges from taco salads to shrimp brochettes, in which grilled jumbo shrimp are wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese and poblano peppers. Diners also will find mesquite-grilled fish, fajitas, enchilada platters and more. Reservations accepted. Brunch Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SURREY'S CAFE AND JUICE BAR
1418 Magazine St. 524-3828
Chef-owner Greg Surrey makes sure vegetarians and carnivores alike will feel at home at this kid-friendly restaurant, which serves fresh-squeezed organic juices as well as such breakfast standards as a sausage-gravy biscuit plate. There also are plenty of egg choices and lunch fare such as the grilled portobello focaccia sandwich. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $
SUSHI CAFE
3125 Esplanade Ave. 945-1919
There's sushi with a Hawaiian twist at this new Esplanade Avenue spot. The Poke salad features cubes of watermelon-colored tuna, slivers of white onion and wakame seaweed. Another signature, spicy edamame, is gigantic in portion size, with pods coated in a pungent garlic butter kicked up with kimchee base. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
SWAMP ROOM
5216 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-5242
The Swamp Room serves bar snacks and beyond late into the night. Hungry patrons sink their teeth into a 10-oz. Swamp Burger or an 8-oz. grilled tuna steak, served as a sandwich or a salad, while people with a mild case of the munchies opt for the cheese fries or the black bean quesadilla rolls. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
SWEET OLIVE CAFE
610 Tchoupitoulas St. 299-8188
Hearty and affordable meals are the rule at this Warehouse District eatery, which offers breakfasts such as an egg croissant or innovative lunch fare including the Huey P. sandwich: sliced marinated duck breast topped with melted Provolone cheese and served on a multi-grain Kaiser dressed with aioli, Creole mustard, shredded lettuce and tomato. Breakfast and lunch weekdays. Credit cards. $
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