OUTSKIRTS
ADOBE CANTINA
1905 W. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 419-0027; www.adoberestaurant.com
The kitchen at this Hammond hotspot creates a wide range of Mexican dishes following traditional recipes. Tacos, burritos, combination platters and big plates of nachos are popular choices, and many a meal ends with fried ice cream. The chimichangas, which can be filled with steak, beef or chicken, are a crowd pleaser and are served with rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. Delivery available. Reservations accepted Mon.-Thu. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
BULL'S CORNER
1036 W. Airline Hwy., Laplace, (985) 652-3544; www.bullscorner.com
The Filet Norton, a chargrilled filet mignon served on top of a marinated portobello mushroom and topped with Danish blue cheese and garlic butter, is still Bull's signature dish, but the fresh Maine lobster could be a good alternative. Daily lunch specials include baby-back ribs and save room for one of the special desserts such as bread pudding or chocolate overload, which is a hot brownie topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
CATE STREET SEAFOOD STATION
308 S. Cate Ave., Hammond, (985) 340-3891; www.catestreetseafoodstation.com
Cate Street presents a full range of seafood dishes from sushi to pasta. There is a full sushi menu, and creative rolls like the crunchy roll with snow crab and the Philadelphia roll with smoked salmon are popular. Or opt for a spicy tuna steak seasoned with crushed wasabi peas. Sticking with the seafood ingredients but moving toward the Gulf coast is the tilapia, which is pan-fried tilapia topped with gulf shrimp, diced onions and served in a garlic lime sauce over angel hair pasta. Beef options include a rib-eye and filet mignon. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
CUCOS
2000 S.W. Railroad Ave., Hammond, (985) 345-2634; 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma, (985) 868-0800
See Slidell listing for restaurant description.
HOUMAS HOUSE PLANTATION
40136 Hwy. 942, Darrow, 225-473-9380; www.houmashouse.com
Once known as the Sugar Palace for the opulence it reflects, Houmas House today is both an Ascension Parish destination for tours of its historic property and exquisite meals at Latil's Landing restaurant. House specialties include appetizers like crab cakes or as an entrée, plume de veal, which is a veal steak with blue cheese topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and served with asparagus and tasso potato pancakes. The plantation's Café Burnside serves casual lunches of soups, salads and local favorites like red beans and rice. Reservations recommended. Lunch daily at Café Burnside. Dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
JACMEL INN
903 E. Morris St., Hammond, 985-542-0043; www.jacmelinn.com
A fine-dining destination in Hammond, Jacmel Inn is known for its roast duckling served with sweet potatoes glazed in sugar cane syrup, duck cracklins and blueberry wine gastrique. For a marriage of land and sea, try the diver scallops wrapped in prosciutto and plated with mushrooms and risotto. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
LA CARRETA
107 Carrolwood Drive, LaPlace, (985) 651-9991; 108 N.W. Railroad Ave., Hammond, (985) 419-9990; www.carretarestaurant.com
People keep coming back to this friendly Mexican restaurant for the big margaritas, low prices and a large menu that includes popular Mexican dishes like queso dip, quesadillas, fajitas, carnitas, enchiladas, chiles rellenos and spicy shrimp. The La Carreta Dinner sounds delicious and formidable: a beef burrito, beef enchilada, bean chalupa and a beef taco. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
MICHABELLE INN & RESTAURANT
1106 Holly St., Hammond, (985) 419-0550; www.michabelle.com
The century-old Greek Revival home at Michabelle is a stately setting for a refined meal. The prix fixe menu features a seafood soup, salad of mixed greens and choice of entrées. Try duck breast with orange sauce, fillet of grouper topped with crawfish, salmon with tarragon-butter sauce or a filet mignon with portobello mushroom. Desserts like Grand Marnier cheesecake or fresh strawberries Romanoff are available for $5 extra. Reservations required. Dinner daily. Credit Cards. $$$
MIDDENDORF'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Hwy. 55 (off Exit 15), Manchac, 985-386-6666; www.middendorfsrestaurant.com
There may be a new owner of this landmark, waterfront seafood house but its many fans have been relieved to discover little else has changed. The Middendorf's special is still ultra-thin fried catfish with hush puppies and tartar sauce. Folks still call daily to check on the availability of the kitchen's famous boiled crabs. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
O'DONNELL'S RESTAURANT
131 SW Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula, 985-386-4077; www.odonnells-restaurant.com
In the warm setting of its historic building, O'Donnell's prides itself on a friendly, casual approach to fine dining. Start a meal here with the crispy jumbo lump crab cakes crusted with panko crumbs and served with roasted corn salsa and chipolte-lime butter. Then move on to an entrée like the grilled fish of the day with steamed mussels, creamy crab fume and a crab and spinach salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
PAUL'S CAFÉ
100 E. Pine St., Ponchatoula, (985) 386-9581
One would expect to find strawberry daiquiris in Ponchatoula, home of the annual Strawberry Festival. Many locals also drop into this quaint café for breakfast and lunches of po-boys and blue plate specials. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $
PEAVINE SNACK SHACK
105 Gary Road, Laplace, (985) 652-5099; www.peavinesnackshack.net
Fishermen can always get a bite of Peavine's changing lunch specials like red beans on Mondays or white beans on Thursdays. Fried seafood is available stuffed into po-boys, served on platters or topping salads. Soft-shell crabs are offered on platters with fries or onion rings. Soup options include seafood gumbo and shrimp, crab and corn bisque. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
RESTAURANT DES FAMILLES
7163 Barataria Blvd., Lafitte, 689-7834
Alligators lurk in the bayou right outside the windows of this dining destination on the edge of the Jean Lafitte nature preserve, but it's usually the shrimp and crab on the plates that captivate diners' attention. The shrimp Diane is sautéed in garlic butter with mushrooms and green onions, all served over pasta. Soft-shell crab Foster is topped with artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
TREY YUEN CUISINE OF CHINA
2100 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, (985) 345-6789; www.treyyuen.com
See Northshore listing for restaurant description.
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