GOURMET TO GO
BREAUX MART
315 E. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, 262-0750; 605 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, 433-0333; 2904 Severn Ave., Metairie, 885-5565; 3233 Magazine St., 262-0750; 9647 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, 737-8146; www.breauxmart.com
Take a break from grocery shopping and swing by the deli at Breaux Mart, which has a wide variety of dishes and changing daily specials. On Wednesdays, fried crispy or lemon-baked catfish are the specials of the day. Other popular dishes include ribs, savory beef brisket and seafood gumbo. Side-dish options include macaroni and cheese, dirty rice and candied yams. For dessert, try the apple or peach cobblers. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
CHEZ NOUS CHARCUTERIE
5701 Magazine St., 899-7303
Chez Nous is the place to stop for a quart of this, a platter of that and a sampling of sauce and no one but you will know the secret when you serve it at your home. This one-stop shop offers wine and packaged gourmet-to-go meals. The kitchen's ever-changing menu fills a complete monthly calendar of tempting choices. For those that just can't wait to get it home, a few small tables allow for dining in. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
DORIGNAC'S
710 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 834-8216; www.dorignacs.com
This gourmet emporium is known for its wide selection of wines and bakery as wwell as its kitchen. Juicy rotisserie chickens offer an easy solution for lunch or dinner. Fresh daily soups, hot wings, sandwiches, quiche and lasagna provide quick meals to go. The cakes, pastries and breads have people crossing town again and again to satisfy a sweet tooth. The store also offers an excellent selection of wines. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
HUGH'S WINE CELLAR
4250 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, (985) 626-0066; www.hughswinecellar.com
The wines are divine at Hugh's. Even better, they're complemented by a menu that includes a large number of soups, salads and sandwiches. The latter are well-represented by the crab brioche — lump crabmeat and dill Havarti topped with remoulade. The paté and cheese plate is a great match for any number of vintage bottles. Catering is available. Reservations accepted. Lunch and light early dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
LANGENSTEIN'S
800 Metairie Road, Metairie, 831-6682; 1330 Arabella St., 899-9283; www.langensteins.com
In addition to premium cuts of all varieties of meats, this gourmet grocery store offers prepared foods, catering and all the necessary ingredients for the serious home cook. Deli specialties include muffulettas, seafood gumbo and crawfish etouffée. The gourmet-to-go selections are available in family-size portions. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
ROBERT FRESH MARKET
5016 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 885-7005; www.robertfreshmarket.com
When you just don't feel like donning an apron and sweating over a simmering pot of red beans all day long, you can always count on Robert for many New Orleans favorites. Some of the daily dishes include Creole Chicken Grand with lemon and roasted garlic over linguine, Jamaican jerk pork chops, and spaghetti and beef daube with red gravy. Cornmeal-crusted catfish with jalapeño tartar sauce is available every day. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
ST. JAMES CHEESE COMPANY
5004 Prytania St., 899-4737; www.stjamescheese.com
St. James offers more than 100 varieties of fine cheese from around the world. A small menu of sandwiches, salads, cheeseboards and charcuterie plates are available for take out or dining in. The Grafton cheddar sandwich pairs the cheese with smoked turkey, basil, tomato and avocado on ciabatta. The Ploughman's lunch includes portions of stilton, cheddar, goat's cheese, Yorkshire, chutney, paté, a green salad and hearty bread. Customers can bring their own wine and there's a wine shop next door. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
SAVVY GOURMET
4519 Magazine St., 895-2665; www.savvygourmet.com
Savvy is like a culinary community center with everything from lunch service to cooking classes to an emporium of culinary tools and supplies. The menu features daily specials and inventive standards such as the barbecue chicken salad with grilled Vidalia onions, celery hearts and blue cheese dressing. The seared salmon sandwich is topped with bacon, avocado, farmer's cheese and roasted tomatoes and served on sourdough bread. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards and checks. $
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
5600 Magazine St., 899-9119; 3420 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 888-8225; www.wholefoods.com
The nation's largest natural foods grocer has a long history in New Orleans and it offers a wide range of gourmet and organic products including hot and cold food stations that serve specialty dishes like citrus-marinated salmon, peppers and olives. Prepared foods include soups, salads, pizza, sandwiches, baked goods and more. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
INDEX:
African
American
American Contemporary
Bar & Grill
Barbecue
Belgian
Brewpub
Burgers
Café
Cajun
Caribbean
Chinese
Coffee & Dessert
Creole
Deli
Diner
Fondue
French
Gourmet to Go
Greek
Indian
Italian
Japanese/Sushi
Korean
Latin American
Louisiana Contemporary
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Mexican/Southwestern
Music and Food
Neighborhood
Pan-Asian
Pizza
Sandwiches and Po-boys
Seafood
Soul Food
Steakhouse
Tapas/Spanish
Thai
Vietnamese
