CAFE
BACK PORCH GRILL 414 N. New Hampshire St., Covington (985)892-5252 On Mondays, red beans and rice come with a garden salad. On Friday, the fried catfish plate is a popular favorite, and comes with homemade potato salad. On the days in between, you're guaranteed to find a daily soup special, overstuffed sandwiches, and great meal-sized salads. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $
BAYOU COFFEE HOUSE 324 N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy. 484-7390 The best-selling tuna and egg salad sandwiches sustain many nearby professionals through their workdays. Bayou also makes a muffaletta and any frothy coffee drink you can think up. Fair trade iced coffee is also available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
BLUEBIRD CAFE 625 Prytania St. 895-7166 The Bluebird has extended its hours, and now you can get their hearty breakfast fare and sandwiches (and some new dinner items) until 10 p.m. The brand new veggie corned beef hash is a twist on the popular, traditional version. Eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes and a pile of other veggies are served as a hash cake with the standby sides of two eggs, home fries or grits, and a biscuit or toast. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Cash only. $
BROKEN EGG CAFE 200 Gerard St., Mandeville (985)624-3388; www.anotherbrokenegg.com The dining rooms in this unique turn-of-the-century house fill up so quickly for breakfast that loyal patrons from New Orleans call ahead as they're getting on the Causeway to reserve a place in line. The brioche-stuffed French toast features thick slices of brioche wrapped around home-made pastry cream and topped with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and homemade whipped cream. Reservations recommended. Credit cards. $
CAFE AU LAIT 307 Chartres St. 528-9933 This atmospheric spot is perfect for whiling away the afternoon while sipping espresso. Likewise you can while away the afternoon filling your belly with large sandwiches like the Quarter Club (the classic version with the addition of avocados) or the ever-popular Chartres Burger, smothered in Cheddar cheese and jalapeno peppers. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. $
CAFE D'CAPPUCCINO 4041 Williams Blvd., Suite B8, Kenner 443-2299 The Southwest chicken sandwich is the most popular of the sandwich offerings: marinated, grilled and served with cheese, guacamole, lettuce and tomato. The Club salad is a meal in itself, perfect for a midday recharging before going back out into the world. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Cash only. $
CAFE EN VIE 1241 Decatur St. 524-3689 Espresso drinks are the focus, with seasonal specialties like the candy cane latte; there's also a full bar and menu of light salads, quiches, sandwiches and pastries. Breakfast is a bargain; a buttermilk biscuit loaded with bacon, egg and cheese is only $3. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Delivery available. Credit cards. $
CAFE FRESCA 4441 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie 887-2010 Diners love to peruse the chef's daily specials, particularly the eggplant Vincent, a deep-fried eggplant pirogue served in a seafood cream sauce with angel hair pasta. The crabcakes are prepared as a traditional New Orleans jumbo crabcake. The frozen granitas are always in demand. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $
CAFE LATTE 2324 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 833-6343 Lattes and espressos are the stars of the show here, but visitors can grab eats like the croissant club, the popular Greek salad and the New Orleans-style roast beef po-boy wrap. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and brunch daily. Delivery available. Credit cards and checks. $
CAFE LAVANDE 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 888-0550 Freshly brewed espresso drinks pair up here with luxe desserts like the lavender creme brulee and the signature Chocolate Lover's Brownie. Before the sweets, though, try a hot pressed panini sandwich or an oversized specialty salad. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
CAFE LUNA 802 Nashville Ave. 269-2444 Located in a stately converted Uptown house, Cafe Luna offers a wide, shaded porch as an excellent spot to pass an afternoon chatting, browsing the Web with the wireless Internet access, or reading with a gourmet espresso drink. Also try a selection from the variety of pastries and panini sandwiches. No reservations. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $ CAFE RANI 2917 Magazine St. 895-2500 New menu items will be debuting soon, but regulars can continue to enjoy favorites like the shrimp and eggplant Rani pasta: grilled, breaded medallions of eggplant served over penne pasta in a pesto cream sauce with shrimp, portobello mushrooms and wilted greens. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
CAFE ROSE NICAUD 620 Frenchmen St. 949-3300 Enjoy gourmet espresso drinks, a variety of teas, and a selection of beer and wine. Snack on fruit sorbets or a cheese plate, or go for heartier fare like the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich dressed with tomato basil pesto, avocado, sprouts and smoked gouda. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CAFE SATORA 3749 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 832-1444 This friendly coffeehouse offers traditional breakfasts and light lunch fare, including salads, panini sandwiches and housemade soups. Favorites include the refreshing cold grilled shrimp and avocado salad and the grilled chicken salad with honey-mustard dressing. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $ CAFFE! CAFFE! 3900 Hwy. 122, Mandeville (985) 727-4222; 4301 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie 885-4845; www.caffecaffe.com Each day brings new special offerings at Caffe Caffe, with soups, salads, sandwiches and herbal fruit teas. Favorites include the grilled marinated chicken breast sandwich, served on a croissant and dressed with snow peas and honey-mustard sauce. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
COFFEE BEAN EUROPEAN CAFE 3244 Severn Ave., Metairie 456-9870 This cafe has sugar-free iced blended coffee drinks for those counting their carbs, as well as rich cappuccinos and espressos in the European tradition. The menu brings a selection of healthy salads, like the Cobb salad with avocado, red onion, hard-boiled egg and grilled chicken. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
COFFEE & COMPANY 800 Harrison Ave. 488-8946 All the favorite coffeehouse offerings are represented here, with espresso drinks, gourmet black coffee and herbal teas, and fresh pastries. Hot breakfast plates and salads are also served, as are local favorites like shrimp chowder and seafood gumbo. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
COFFEE COTTAGE 2559 Metairie Road, Metairie 833-3513; www.coffeecottage.com The gourmet sandwiches at Coffee Cottage are offered both on focaccia and as wraps (for the carb-conscious). Try the grilled tenderloin dressed with herbed blue cheese butter and onion marmalade. Salads, burgers and omelettes like the hearty Cowboy Eggs (five egg whites scrambled with onions, peppers, ham and salsa) are also a treat. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
COFFEE COVE 3431 Houma Blvd., Metairie 780-9445 Champagne brunch is the only civilized way to start a Sunday, and Coffee Cove's version delivers with gourmet omelettes, grits and grillades, and other treats. Lunch brings more quotidian dishes, with a menu of soups, wraps, sandwiches and hot plate specials. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sunday. Credit cards and checks. $
COFFEE RANI 234-A Lee Lane, Covington (985) 893-6158; 3510 Hwy. 190 (Pontchartrain Square), Mandeville (985) 674-2002 This winter brings an array of fresh new salads to tempt your palate, including the sinister 'Godfather of Italian Salad,' the Soprano -- pesto-grilled chicken breast on a bed of spring mix and romaine, topped with roma tomatoes, olive salad, provolone and feta cheeses, artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a Parmesan dressing. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, brunch Sunday. Credit cards. $$
COMMON GROUNDS 335 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna 227-2200 This casual local hangout beside the courthouse boasts a shoeshine stand as well as its well-known sandwiches and salads. Popular favorites include the artichoke Amelia, stuffed with seafood, deep-fried and dressed in a remoulade sauce, and the chunky chicken salad, studded with slivered almonds and finished with a poppy-seed dressing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
COTTAGE CAFE 423 10th St., Gretna 366-2233 The Cottage Cafe gets West Bank residents through the week with its lunch menu of Creole and Italian favorites and dinners on Thursday though Saturday. The corn, crab and shrimp bisque are good starters, and the Louisiana crabcakes are winners every time. Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Thursday through Saturday. Credit cards. $$
COVENANT CAFE 1515 Poydras St. 522-3335; www.covenanthouse.org Formerly known as Coffee & Company, this CBD spot offers deli, grilled, gourmet and specialty sandwiches as well as gourmet and pasta salads, soups and scoops. Try the Blue Mambo sandwich, a grilled chicken breast with crumbled blue cheese, purple onions, tomato and blue cheese dressing on French bread and grilled. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
CROISSANT D'OR PATISSERIE 617 Ursulines Ave. 524-4663 People watchers can nibble their elaborate pastries in the bay windows facing the street, and shyer folk can enjoy soups, espresso drinks, and sweet and savory croissants in the rear garden. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Monday. Credit cards. $
CYBER BAR & CAFE AT THE CAC 900 Camp St. (Contemporary Arts Center) 523-0990; www.cacno.org This annex to the CAC offers culture-hungry visitors satisfaction, with a selection of gourmet coffees, teas, beer and specialty wines. Internet access is available, as is a light menu of sandwiches, soups, pastries and salads. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. Credit cards. $
ESPRESSO EXPRESS 701 Poydas St. 524-5115 If you're in a hurry, get your food and coffee on the run at Espresso Express, which offers salads, sandwiches, a breakfast burrito, pastries and, of course, espresso and coffee. The blackened shrimp and pasta salad features spicy blackened shrimp and spiral pasta mix, with a Parmesan dressing. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
ESPRESSO YOURSELF CUSTOM COFFEE 3604 DeLaRonde Drive, Chalmette 271-0380 You can pick up pastries and specialty coffees from the drive-up window for breakfast. For lunch, nibble on salads, quiche, gourmet wraps and deli-style sandwiches. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, coffee and pastries only on Sunday. Credit cards. $
GLENN MICHAEL'S BEAUTY CAFE 1628 Metairie Road, Metairie 828-6848 Fancifully named menu items include the popular Beauty Salad -- mixed greens tossed with pecans, pine nuts and roasted peppers in a tomato basil vinaigrette -- and the Frozen Dream, a concoction of blended ice cream, milk and coffee. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Monday through Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday. Credit cards. $
HICKORY CAFE & GRILL 1313 Hickory Ave., Harahan 737-0033 Regulars love breakfast at the Hickory because of bargains like Hickory's Big Breakfast featuring two eggs any style, two pancakes, two strips of bacon and two slices of toast for only $4.50. For lunch try the chicken Caesar wrap: grilled chicken in a white or whole wheat tortilla wrap with Romaine lettuce, shredded Parmesan cheese, Caesar salad dressing and croutons. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards. $
HOME FURNISHINGS STORE CAFE 1600 Prytania St. 566-1707 This fall, pork medallions Florentine and the baked chicken plate are not to be missed. The cafeteria-style line forms to sample hearty gumbo and slices of chocolate cake. No reservations. Lunch Monday through Friday. Checks and cash only. $
KICKSTAND CAFE 690 Lafitte St., Mandeville (985) 626-9300 Kickstand Cafe offers freshly baked housemade pastries daily, a menu of coffee and specialty beverages, and soups, salads, wraps and changing daily hot lunch specials. It's best known for its chicken salad, which can be ordered on a salad, sandwich or wrap. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Delivery available for lunch Monday through Friday. Credit cards and checks. $
LA BOULANGERIE 625 St. Charles Ave. 569-1925; 3143 Ponce de Leon St. 940-0577; 4526 Magazine St. 269-3777 The Ponce de Leon Street location bakes up French pastries and breads, the Magazine Street locale is a full bakery, and the St. Charles Avenue spot serves coffee, breakfast and lunch. Some of the favorites at the downtown La Boulangerie include the hot, open-face sandwich with bacon and blue cheese, hot soups changing daily, and fresh bread. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
LA MADELEINE 547 St. Ann St. 568-0073; 601 S. Carrollton Ave. 861-8662; 1325 St. Charles Ave. 410-8500; 3300 Severn Ave., Metairie 456-1624; 3434 Hwy. 190 (Albertson's Premier Shopping Center), Mandeville (985) 626-7004; 5171 Citrus Blvd., Jefferson 818-2450; www.lamadeleine.com A spinach salad, seafood puff pastry with shrimp and scallops or a croque monsieur (a traditional grilled ham and cheese sandwich) provides a welcome relief from burgers and fries. The strawberry Napoleon and baked goods satisfy the sweet tooth. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
LA MARQUISE PASTRY SHOP 625 Chartres St. 524-0420 La Marquise bakes light and fluffy pastries. For lunch, management recommends the signature La Marquise, an oversized croissant filled with roast beef, turkey and ham. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash and checks. $
LA SPIGA BAKERY 2440 Chartres St. 949-2253 Tracking down one of La Spiga's pies or pastries can feel like a scavenger hunt. The Faubourg Marigny retail location unlocks its doors only on Saturday, but during the week the bakery peddles its goods around town at the Crescent City Farmers Markets. Recently featured in Bon Appetit magazine, La Spiga makes divine Mardi Gras brioche king and queen cakes. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Saturday. Visa. $
PARADISE CAFE AND GIFTS 3717 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 888-4141 The Paradise Club with turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato is a little slice of heaven for sandwich lovers. This combination gift shop and cafe also makes soups, gumbos and salads with homemade dressing. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Saturday, and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $
PLANTATION COFFEEHOUSE 5555 Canal Blvd. 482-3164 Dessert lovers could make a meal of the banana-walnut bread pudding. The health conscious prefer the Greek salad of mixed greens with feta cheese, red onions, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $
PUCCINO'S 17th Street and Severn Avenue, Metairie 835-3151; 3128 Magazine St. 894-8898; www.lovepuccinos.com At this Italian coffee shop, order a delicious meatball sandwich on a muffaletta loaf to go with your cappuccino. A double shot of espresso pairs well with the grilled campagnola, a grilled chicken breast sandwich with roasted red peppers, provolone and creamy pesto mayonnaise. Reservations available for special events. Open 24 hours. Credit cards. $
ROYAL BLEND COFFEE & TEA HOUSE 204 Metairie Road, Metairie 835-7779; 222 Carondelet St. 529-2005; 621 Royal St. 523-2716; www.royalblendcoffee.com Savor a cup of joe with an Executive Club layered with turkey, ham, American and Swiss cheeses, mayo, Dijon mustard and homemade honey mustard between two slices of seven-grain bread. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Friday and Saturday, brunch Sunday at Metairie location. Credit cards. $
SECRET GARDEN TEA ROOM AND CAFE 3626 Magazine St. 895-2913 Traditional English teas are offered along with herbal and green varieties. Other menu favorites include a variety of housemade soups and quiche choices. Reservations recommended on weekends. Lunch and tea time Monday through Saturday. Major cards. $
ST. JOHN'S COFFEE HOUSE 535 E. Boston St., Covington (985) 893-5553; www.stjohnscoffeehouse.com The owners here are committed to stocking fair-trade coffees. In addition to a full range of coffee and tea drinks and pastries, this coffeehouse serves up salads, sandwiches and wraps, including the Combo Wrap: ham, roasted turkey breast, bacon, lettuce (or baby spinach), Roma tomatoes, Bermuda onion, American cheese and a roasted red pepper cream cheese in a wrap. No reservations. Breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Saturday. Cash or checks only. $
SURREY'S CAFE AND JUICE BAR 1418 Magazine St. 524-3828 Fresh-squeezed organic juices and a host of traditional breakfast items are favorites, but the black bean crabcakes seasoned with habanera cumin and garlic and served with poblano remoulade sauce deserve special attention. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $
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. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch weekdays. Delivery available. Credit cards. $
VIANNE'S TEA SALON AND CAFE 544 Gerard St., Mandeville (985) 624-5683; www.viannes.com Vianne's specializes in high tea, but you can eat your fill of tea sandwiches, scones, savories, and dessert while selecting from the establishment's 50 teas. The cafe menu offers fresh baked scones, crumpets, farmers market salads and soups. Reservations recommended. Cafe menu and teas Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Credit cards and checks. $
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