LATIN AMERICAN
BARU BISTRO & TAPAS
3700 Magazine St., 895-2225, www.barubistro.com
Chef Edgar Caro is inspired by his hometown, Cartagena, Colombia, along with influences from Cuba, Puerto Rica and the Caribbean. He's fused those elements to create tapas dishes such as Mazorca, grilled corn with Salao cheese, pink sauce and crunchy potato sticks. His quaint Uptown café also offers entrées like Lechon Cubano, slow-roasted pork shoulder served with coconut rice and ensalada de Papas. No reservations. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
BARU CAFÉ
3235 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 467-5404
Baru Café offers a flavorful tour of Caribbean-style Colombian cooking. A roasted corn salad with fried potato sticks and farmer's cheese is a popular appetizer, as are ceviche and mashed yucca stuffed with beef. The cazuela is a bouillabaisse of clams, mussels and shrimp in a garlic broth. Entrées include a 12-oz. rib-eye steak with chimichurri sauce, highly seasoned tilapia with coconut rice, and spicy Caribbean shrimp. Stop in at lunch for pressed Cuban sandwiches or wraps of grilled garlic shrimp with cheese. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
CARNAVAL GRILL & BAR & CHURRASCARIA
2501 Canal St., 822-4639
Try steak and other meats roasted on skewers in the Brazilian steakhouse style at this Mid-City restaurant. The lunch buffet features grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausages. There is also a bar of hot and cold salad items like rice and beans, shrimp stew and fried plantains. Wash it all down with a Brazilian fruit soda. Live music and DJs provide entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. No reservations. Credit cards. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
CHURROS CAFÉ
3100 Kingman St., Metairie, 885-6516
Home of the sweet fried dough stick also known as a Cuban beignet, Churros offers a wide array of home-style Cuban favorites. The Cuban sandwich is piled high with ham, pork, pickles, mustard and cheese, pressed on the grill. The congri yucca roast pork is marinated pork roasted to perfection and served with congri, rice cooked with black beans, and cassava with garlic sauce. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
COUNTRY FLAME
620 Iberville St., 522-1138
The Country Flame's large menu of Spanish, Mexican and Cuban dishes offers a pan-Latin range of choices for fast, inexpensive meals. House specialties include shredded beef over rice with black beans, pressed Cuban sandwiches, tamales, several types of fajitas, tacos and carne guisada, which is a Spanish version of beef bourguignonne. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
JAZZ TACOS
307 Exchange Alley, 872-0015
Familiar fare like tacos and tostadas are done Honduran style at this tiny, family-run operation nestled along a quiet, stone lined pedestrian alley in the heart of the French Quarter. Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas bulging with beef and topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Fajitas, pupusas, quesadillas and burritos are also popular choices. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Cash only. $
LA CASA GOMEZ
643 Lotus Drive, Mandeville, (985) 624-8667
This eatery has turned many a Northshore dweller on to its classic Cuban sandwich made with tender roast pork and layers of ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on French bread. Dishes of grilled meats and onions as well as fajita-style platters, are equally popular. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
LIBORIO'S CUBAN RESTAURANT
321 Magazine St., 581-9680
A taste of Cuba and the ambiance of an old Havana café await behind the door of this CBD institution. Daily specials include Monday's Cuban beef hash with garlic, raisins and tomato sauce and Friday's seafood paella. Classic Cuban dishes include ropa viejo, stewed beef brisket and roasted pork. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
PUPUSERIA & RESTAURANTE LA MACARENA
8016 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie, 464-4525
La Macarena's menu is always evolving. Try its slate of tacos including jalapeño tacos, Argentine chorizo tacos and filet mignon tacos. Namesake pupusas are stuffed cornmeal treats that are to some Latin American cities what the hot dog is to New York. There are also seafood dishes and soups. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Cash and checks. $$
SERRANO'S SALSA COMPANY
4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 780-2354; www.serranossalsacompany.com
Serrano's "cuisine de Latin America" features calamari salad, chile oyster tacos, apricot-glazed pork tenderloin and Argentine beef salad. Serrano's also offers regional specialties from across Central America and the Caribbean and particularly Mexican favorites. The bar is stocked with dozens of tequilas and rums and pours them into a colorful and potent array of cocktails. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
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
