Whether you think of this time of year as spring or crawfish season, it's a good time to dine out. Gambit Weekly's Spring Restaurant Guide surveys the city's dining scene from Cajun and Creole institutions to po-boy and pizza places. With restaurants arranged from A to Z, the guide has the latest news on menu items, hours of operation, reservation policies and more. Enjoy.

Prices

$ = $1-$10
$$ = $11-$20
$$$ = $21-up

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K

K-PAUL'S LOUISIANA KITCHEN
416 Chartres St., 524-7394; www.kpauls.com
Chef Paul Prudomme has passed the torch on to his protege Paul Miller at K-Paul's, and it remains a popular destination for bold south Louisiana cooking. Some of the more famous dishes include turtle soup, gumbo with housemade andouille, and blackened Louisiana drum prepared in a cast-iron skillet and served with fresh Louisiana crab meat, chipotle compound butter, potatoes and vegetables. More creative fare includes the restaurant's version of an eggplant pirogue — seasoned, battered and deep-fried eggplant stuffed with julienne beef and fresh Louisiana shrimp in a special pork and veal sauce with chicory coffee. Reservations recommended. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$

K.Y.'S OLD TOWNE BICYCLE SHOP
2267 Carey St., Slidell, (985) 641-1911
Prepared with slow-roasted beef cooked in house, sliced thin and dressed to order, the roast beef po-boy is reason enough to head to K.Y.'s Old Towne Bicycle Shop. There also are burgers and fresh grilled seafood from the Gulf such as amberjack, yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi, available on sandwiches and platters. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Fri. Credit cards and checks. $

KABBY'S SPORTS EDITION GRILL
Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St., 561-0500
Signed jerseys, memorabilia and big-screen TVs line the walls of this sprawling sports bar off the lobby of the Hilton. A wide variety of bar food, burgers and sandwiches accompany the bar's full lineup of specialty cocktails. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KANNO CALIFORNIA SUSHI BAR
3205 Edenborn Ave., Metairie, 455-5730
Japanese-born chef "Elvis" dreams up creative specialty rolls and uses the restaurant's signature Fantasy Sauce at the sushi bar he owns and runs with his wife, Lin. Spicy snow crab, lobster tail meat and wasabi cream sauce come together in the lobster dynamite roll. The lighter South Beach roll has tuna, crab and avocado but no rice. The spicy soft-shell crab soup is popular. Lin makes homemade chocolates for dessert. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

KEITH YOUNG'S STEAKHOUSE
165 Hwy. 21, Madisonville, (985) 845-9940; www.keithyoungs.net
Emphasizing consistency and simplicity, Keith Young's menu reflects the sign hung outside its doors: "Steaks — Chops — Gulf fish." Some popular menu items are the 14-oz. strip steak and generously portioned filet mignon. Seafood options include crab cakes and fried oysters. All main dishes are served with traditional steakhouse side items. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$$

KENNER SEAFOOD INC.
3140 Loyola Drive, Kenner, 466-4701; www.kennerseafood.net
Kenner Seafood is both a market for fresh and boiled seafood and a restaurant. For those dining in, there are raw oyster specials on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Thursday specials feature fried jumbo shrimp with choice of any side item for $10.95. Entrees include grilled, fried or blackened fish from a choice of redfish, grouper, tilapia and catfish. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$

THANH THANH
4024 Behrman Hwy., Gretna, 368-5694
In addition to the popular beef pho noodle soup at Thanh Thanh, you'll find five different types of Vietnamese spring rolls with fillings like shrimp, beef, pork and vegetables. Pho Ga, a rice noodle soup with chicken in an aromatic broth, is served with a basket of fresh basil, bean sprouts, jalapeño slices and limes. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KIM SON
349 Whitney Ave., Gretna, 366-2489
Kim Son is a Vietnamese restaurant that also offers Chinese cuisine, particularly Cantonese and Szechuan dishes. A seasonal favorite is the soft baked crab with scallops. Among other Vietnamese mainstays are rice and noodle soups and vermicelli dishes. The Bo 7 Mon is a seven-course feast of Vietnamese-style beef dishes. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

KING BUFFET
601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-4383
A variety of Asian cuisines are represented on the buffet at this restaurant. Chinese standards comprise the greatest number of dishes with regulars like beef with broccoli and sweet-and-sour chicken. There also are dishes from Thailand, some Japanese specialties and plenty of sweet desserts. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

KJEAN SEFOOD
236 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-7503
Kjean is a Mid-City seafood market that makes the best of its daily catch. Fried shrimp, oysters and catfish are available in po-boys or on platters. There are also stuffed crab plates and soft-shell crabs. The sandwich list also offers hot or cold ham or roast beef, burgers or meatballs on French bread or a bun. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. $

KOREA HOUSE
3540 18th St., Metairie, 888-0654
Tucked away in an unassuming strip off of Severn Avenue in Metairie is a wealth of Korean cuisine. The menu includes seafood dishes and beef that is cooked on grills embedded in the tables. The kitchen offers fried whole fish marinated in soy, garlic and onions as well as specials like the Kal Bi, grilled short ribs marinated in a special house sauce. Dol Sot Bibimbob is a dish of beef and vegetables over rice served in a hot stone pot. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Tue. and Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

KOSHER CAJUN NEW YORK DELI & GROCERY
3519 Severn Ave., Metairie, 888-2010; www.koshercajun.com
Kosher Cajun brings New York-style delicatessen sandwiches and other specialties to Metairie. Basics like matzo ball soup are always on hand. The J&N combines hot corned beef and pastrami on New York rye bread with deli mustard, horseradish and coleslaw and is served with a barrel pickle on the side. Deli side dishes include potato latkes and knishes of potato, sweet potato and broccoli. Entrées include grilled chicken breasts, lamb chops and steaks. No reservations. Lunch Sun.-Fri., early dinner Mon.-Thu. Credit Cards. $$

KOZ'S
6215 Wilson St., Harahan, 737-3933; www.kozcooks.com
While Koz's is earning a reputation for its po-boys, the menu at this casual spot offers many other filling, bargain-priced renditions of local favorites. Fried or grilled redfish, fried chicken plates and garlic-stuffed roast beef are among the most popular options. Plates come with a choice of side dishes like baked macaroni and cheese, chili cheese fries, mashed potatoes, onion rings, coleslaw or potato salad. Drop in for the Saturday-only special of barbecue ham po-boys. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Mon.-Fri. Credit cards and checks. $

KRYSTAL
116 Bourbon St., 523-4030; www.krystal.com
After a long night on Bourbon Street, grab a sack of tiny, oniony Krystal burgers before you head home. Or drop in any time for a meal combo. The Scrambler specials are breakfast items piled in a cup, and there are conventional options like sausage, egg, bacon pancakes on hand to end a long night or begin the day. No reservations. Open 24-hours. Credit cards. $

KYOTO
4920 Prytania St., 891-3644

Kyoto is an intimate restaurant with a sushi bar and small dining room. The menu features a full range of Japanese cuisine including tempura, soups with thick udon noodles and creative handrolls from the sushi bar. The Sara Roll features spicy shrimp and avocado topped with crunchy bits and chili sauce. The ceviche roll wraps fresh vegetables and sprouts in fresh whitefish and tops it with lime cilantro sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

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