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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R
R & O'S PIZZA PLACE
216 Old Hammond Hwy., Metairie, 831-1248
R&O's serves everything from pizza and traditional Italian fare to po-boys, boiled crawfish, fried seafood platters and the restaurant's famous hot tamales. The fries, smothered in a brown gravy and roast beef debris, are a regular favorite. Try the veal Parmesan or Italian roast beef po-boy. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Tue. and dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
RADOSTA'S FAMOUS PO-BOYS
249 Aris Ave., Metairie, 831-1537
Owned by brothers Mark, John and Wayne Radosta, everything at this family establishment is homemade, from the hot Italian sausage and meatballs to the roast beef and gravy po-boys. Other po-boy options include fried shrimp, oyster, catfish and soft-shell crab. Radosta's cooler is now stocked with 75 imported and domestic beers. No reservations. Lunch and early dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
RAG'S OLD FASHIONED PO-BOYS
4960 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, (985) 792-1744; www.ragsmandeville.com
Rag's has everything that a good po-boy shop should: classics including roast beef, soft-shell crab, shrimp and potato with gravy. But don't miss out on house specials like shrimp Parmesan — fried shrimp over angel hair pasta with provolone and Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. The Friday special is Catfish Lafitte, a fillet of catfish over pasta with a crawfish cream sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$
RAGUSA'S SICILIAN DELI
3363 Severn Ave., Metairie, 454-2723
A deli and bar with a full pizza menu, Ragusa's may be best known for its artichoke soup and artichoke bread. Specialty pizzas include the Hellbelly topped with hot sausage, jalapeños and pepperjack cheese and the Mangia, which comes with olive salad, salami, ham and provolone. Po-boys, sandwiches and daily lunch specials are also available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
RAISING CANE'S CHICKEN FINGERS
Citywide; www.raisingcanes.com
Chicken fingers keep expanding their reach in the local restaurant scene. Raising Cane's is named for the founder's golden Labrador retriever, but the menu is all about poultry. The Caniac Combo is a six-piece order complemented by coleslaw, fries, two sauces, Texas toast and a drink. Boxed meals are available in many sizes, and there are tailgate packs and party platters of 100 chicken fingers as well. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $
RALPH & KACOO'S
519 Toulouse St., 522-5226; www.ralphandkacoos.com
Ralph & Kacoo's original restaurant in the French Quarter serves local specialties such as shrimp remoulade, grilled redfish Atchafalaya topped with crawfish etouffée and alligator served blackened or fried. Entrées include delicately grilled mahi mahi and certified Black Angus steaks. Po-boys are a lunch staple. Reservations accepted. Lunch Sat.-Sun., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
RALPH'S ON THE PARK
900 City Park Ave., 488-1000; www.ralphsonthepark.com
This historic and elegant building just across the street from City Park features a contemporary Creole menu. Starters include Crystal P&J oysters, which are andouille-crusted, flash fried, finished with Crystal butter sauce and presented with a slaw of mirliton, peppers and red onions. The cast iron skillet-blackened redfish is served with a peppery crab cake, blue crab butter sauce and red pepper salad. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
RAW
3009 Magazine St., 322-2888
Although Japan and China are close geographically, they haven't always been the best of neighbors. Raw tries to bridge the divide by bringing the culinary flavors of the two countries together under one roof, albeit with separate menus. On the Sino side, diners can try entrees such as General Tso's Chicken, deep-fried with a spicy/sweet sauce or crispy tangerine prawns. From the Japanese, there is a variety of sushi, including sea urchin and beef negamaki, thinly-sliced beef that is broiled with scallions in a teriyaki sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
RED EYE GRILL
852 S. Peters St., 593-9393; 1057 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 833-6900; www.redeyegrill.net
Billed as "The last place you want to be," Red Grill is a lunch spot and late-night bar. The grill is open late and serves enormous burgers, jalapeño poppers and popcorn shrimp and there are many combo specials. Health-conscious diners can dig into turkey burgers and salads topped with grilled tuna or chicken. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner and late-night Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
RED FISH GRILL
115 Bourbon St., 598-1200; www.redfishgrill.com
Fresh Gulf fish and shellfish are the main attractions at this end of Bourbon Street. There's a raw oyster bar to enjoy a dozen on the half-shell before settling in at a table. Barbecue oysters are flash fried, tossed with Crystal barbecue sauce and served with housemade blue cheese dressing. The hickory-grilled redfish is topped with blue crab meat and lemon-butter sauce and complemented by tasso and mushroom Pontalba potatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
THE RED MAPLE RESTAURANT
1036 Lafayette St., Gretna, 367-0935; www.theredmaple.com
Red Maple has been a West Bank dining destination since 1963, serving steaks and Louisiana seafood in the heart of Gretna. Be sure to clear your schedule for prime rib night on Thursdays. Appetizers include crab cakes and chargrilled oysters from the oyster bar. Don't forget to save room for Red Maple's bread pudding. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
RED STAR CHINESE RESTAURANT
8330 Earhart Blvd., 861-1933; www.redstarchineserestaurant.com
Red Star is a favorite for delivery Uptown and in Mid-City and for diners to drop in for house specials like the beef and scallop combination with brown sauce or the spicy ta-chien chicken with vegetables. The kitchen also has a lighter menu of dishes prepared with no added salt, sugar or corn starch. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
REFUEL COFFEE AND NOSH
8124 Hampson St., 872-0187
This casual café offers counter service, so grab a coffee while you wait for your meal to arrive. Refuel's breakfast and brunch specialties include corned beef hash, huevos rancheros and some seriously creamy grits. At lunch, the Cuban sandwiches are grilled crisp, and there are entrée plates built around marinated flank steak, tuna and salmon. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Fri., brunch Sat-Sun. Credit cards. $
REGINELLI'S PIZZERIA
741 State St., 899-1414; 817 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 712-6868; 874 Harrison Ave., 488-0133; 3244 Magazine St., 895-7272; 5608 Citrus Blvd., Elmwood, 818-0111; www.reginellis.com
Reginelli's serves a wide range of pizzas with Italian and Mediterranean flavors as well as salads and appetizers. The hefty Mediterranean pizza is loaded with roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, spinach and roasted red peppers with a garlic-herb sauce. A popular salad features marinated chicken breast on a bed of mixed greens with green apples, gorgonzola, Roma tomatoes and roasted pecans tossed in a balsamic citrus vinaigrette. Other choices include pasta dishes and sandwiches on foccacia bread. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
RENDEZ-VOUS CAFÉ
3001 Gen. DeGaulle Drive, 367-6013; www.myrendezvouscafe.com
A new Mediterranean menu is the focus of this Westbank eatery, featuring chicken or beef shawarma, hummus, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush. Other specialties include the Western omelet and classic chicken Parmesan over pasta. Rendez-vous also offers hookah pipes, coffee drinks, beer and wine. There's an outdoor patio to take advantage of in warmer weather. A senior citizen special is available in the evening. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
RESTAURANT AUGUST
301 Tchoupitoulas St., 299-9777; www.rest-august.com
Celebrated local chef John Besh mixes up the menu at his flagship restaurant, working with seasonal ingredients and changing culinary themes. Signature dishes include gnocchi tossed with blue crab and truffle oil. For an entrée, try rabbit cooked two ways with artichokes and squash blossoms. Five-course tasting menus with wine pairings are always available. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
RESTAURANT CUVEE
322 Magazine St., 587-9001; www.restaurantcuvee.com
Describing his cuisine as contemporary Creole-Continental, chef Bob Iacovone blends regional ingredients with European influences. Some popular dishes include Napoleon of spiced shrimp and crisp mirliton with remoulade sauce. There is smoked duck breast cured with cane syrup and served with risotto and foie gras. For dessert, try the banana toffee bread pudding. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Thu., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
RESTAURANT CYPRESS
4426 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie, 885-6885
This suburban restaurant has a casual atmosphere in which to enjoy fine contemporary Louisiana cuisine. Cypress' kitchen uses a careful hand and fine ingredients for its refined creations. Duck confit spring rolls feature a rich mixture of cream cheese and caramelized onions. For an entrée, try veal stuffed with crabmeat and portobello mushrooms. No reservations. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
RESTAURANT DES FAMILLES
7163 Barataria Blvd., Lafitte, 689-7834
Located on the edge of the Jean Lafitte nature preserve, there's no telling what bayou creatures might be lurking just beyond the door of this quaint Lafitte establishment. Catfish Foster is a lightly battered catfish fillet topped with green onions, artichoke bottoms and mushrooms sautéed in butter and wine. Pasta Lafitte combines crabmeat, shrimp and green onions in spicy cream sauce served on a bed of angel hair pasta. The dessert specialty is créme brulee. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
RIB ROOM
621 St. Louis St., 529-7045; www.omniroyalorleans.com
The stately Rib Room recalls the golden age of grand hotel dining, delivering big meat-and-potato dishes in an elegant setting. Slow-roasted meats, including prime rib and rotisserie chicken, are house specialties. Roasted prime rib au jus is served with a baked potato. The sautéed seafood platter includes Gulf fish, crab cakes with meuniere sauce and wilted spinach. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
RICCOBONO'S PANOLA STREET CAFÉ
7801 Panola St., 314-1810
A relaxed, family-style atmosphere welcomes patrons to this Uptown neighborhood café. Popular breakfast specials include the crawfish omelet, crab cakes Benedict, huevos rancheros, Belgian waffles and standard pancake and egg options. The lunch crowd shows up a bit later for hamburger steaks, fried catfish and burgers. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $
RICCOBONO'S PEPPERMILL RESTAURANT
3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, 455-2266
Riccobono's is renowned for its hearty breakfast and brunch menu, which stars dishes like the crab cake Benedict — two poached eggs nested on blue crab cakes topped with hollandaise. The lunch menu features entrees like roast pork with au jus gravy and baked sweet potato, grilled amberjack and veal topped with crawfish sauce. Several low-carb dishes like the grilled chicken Caesar salad and shrimp salad with roasted tomato are also available. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
RICHE
Fulton St. at Poydras St., 533-6117; www.harrahs.com
Housed in the ground floor of Harrah's hotel, Riche pampers diners with classic French cuisine. Favorites include the cassoulet of white beans with lardons, andouille, merguez sausage and pulled duck meat baked in the oven with toasted breadcrumbs and served with a braised lamb shank. The bouillabaisse is a savory catch of Maine lobster, Littleneck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, scallops, Gulf shrimp and potatoes in a lobster-saffron broth. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
Rick's Catfish Cabin
78461 Hwy. 437, Covington, (985) 893-7274
Rick's has a seafood dish to fit any appetite. Regular or jumbo size seafood platters include catfish, fried jumbo shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab and stuffed shrimp plus French fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Boxes of fried catfish are filled with either 15, 25 or 30 pieces and also are served with fried hushpuppies, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Thu.-Sat. Checks. $$
RIOMAR
800 S. Peters St., 525-3474; www.riomarseafood.com
New Orleanians knows a thing or two about seafood, but RioMar takes diners on a fishing trip far down South with Latin-influenced preparations of fresh local catches. The appetizer menu features four varieties of ceviche, which can be ordered together as a sampler plate. Entrées include a generous cut of yellowfin tuna wrapped in Serrano ham and escabeche of Gulf fish. Pressed sandwiches on warm, crispy French bread like the jamon with manchego and Spanish sausage with tomato are crowd pleasers. Tapas dishes fill the lunch menu. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
RISTORANTE DA PIERO
401 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-8585; www.ristorantedapiero.net
Meals at this Kenner standout start with a basket of the distinctive northern Italian flatbread called piadina. From there guests can choose from dishes such as the veal chops with a demi-glace made with shiitake mushrooms and served with heirloom vegetables and potatoes or one of several homemade pastas including ravioli, strozzapreti and tortelloni. Opera singers perform in the evening. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$$
RISTORANTE DEL PORTO
501 E. Boston St., Covington, (985) 875-1006; www.delportoristorante.com
Ristorante del Porto serves inspired fine Italian fare with a homemade touch in the heart of Covington. The antipasti plate is a mix of cured meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables, caponata and crostini. Housemade pastas augment rustic dishes like pork bolognese over tagliatelle. Seafood specialties include seared diver scallops over cauliflower puree. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
RISTORANTE FILIPPO
1917 Ridgelake Drive, Metairie, 835-4008
Traditional Italian cooking gets a dose of New Orleans-style exuberance and plenty of local seafood at Ristorante Filippo. Popular starters include oysters Originato, lightly dusted with Italian breadcrumbs and baked with Romano cheese, olive oil and fresh parsley. The crab salad features lump crabmeat, olives, marinated artichokes and vinaigrette dressing. A veal chop with risotto, rib-eye la pizziolla and a grilled pork chop finished with a savory sweet red wine sauce are popular choices from the meat side of the menu. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
RIVERSHACK TAVERN
3449 River Road, Jefferson, 834-4938; www.therivershacktavern.com
It's a honky tonk with an eye for pleasing regulars and welcoming new faces. A fearless menu offers a twist on the usual bar fare. The Usual Suspects is a grilled deli-style sandwich filled with corned beef, pastrami, debris and Swiss cheese. The chef also offers a pan-seared redfish with barbecue shrimp. Weekday lunch specials range from traditional red beans to braised rabbit with spaetzle dumplings to peanut-crusted soft-shell crab with basmati rice and tandoori cream. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
ROBERT FRESH MARKET
5016 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 885-7005; www.robertfreshmarket.com
The kitchen at Robert Fresh Marker offers 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. $
ROCK-N-SAKE OF NEW ORLEANS
823 Fulton St., 589-7253; www.rocknsake.com
Rock music and saketinis set the tone at this urbane sushi restaurant. The LSU roll is made with tempura shrimp and cream cheese wrapped in seaweed paper and is topped with crab, avocado and tuna, plus a dash of eel sauce. There also are creative cooked menu items like the beef and asparagus maki with thin-sliced beef rolled around asparagus, grilled and topped with teriyaki sauce. No reservations. Lunch Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun., late-night Fri.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
ROCKY & CARLO'S RESTAURANT AND BAR
613 W. St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette, 279-8323
Diners head to Rocky & Carlo's for casual and hearty Creole-Italian fare. Diners mix it up with onion ring appetizers and veal cutlet Parmesan. Some of the old standbys include roast beef, hamburger steak, spaghetti and meatballs and Rocky and Carlo's famous mac and cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $
ROCKY'S GOURMET PIZZA
3222 Magazine St., 891-5152
Rocky's accents local elements. The restaurant is decorated with wooden architectural details off old homes and offers pizzas like the Wild Tchoupitoulas pie, which has red sauce, pepperoni, sausage, red peppers and jalapeños. Rocky's also cooks up panini-style sandwiches on fresh bread. The grilled chicken breast sandwich has mozzarella, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and garlic mayo. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
ROLY POLY SANDWICHES
One Shell Square, 701 Poydras St., 561-9800; 5409 Tchoupitoulas St., 891-8373; www.rolypolyusa.com
This sandwich chain is rolling in sandwich options. Some unique creations include the Peachtree Melt with baked ham, Swiss, Brie, peaches, pepper relish and a side of fresh dill horseradish sauce, or try the Santa Fe chicken with melted jalapeño Jack cheese, onion, tomato and ranch dressing. Vegetarians can choose from a wide array of wraps stuffed with spinach, pineapple, cheese or hummus. No reservations. Tchoupitoulas location: lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. Poydras location: lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $
ROMA PIZZERIA
3441 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, (985) 674-3300
Roma Pizzeria creates a savory, crisp-crust pizza and Sicilian-style deep-dish crust with its stone-deck ovens. One popular pie is the Supreme, loaded with pepperoni, crumbled Italian sausage, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and mozzarella. For dessert, order a cherry or apple pizza with streusel topping and icing. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$
ROMAN PIZZA
7329 Cohn St., 866-1166; www.eatromanpizza.com
Two friends of Roman Pizza who performed heroic services for its community in the aftermath of Katrina now have a pizza named for them: the Juan and Deen's special combines pepperoni, jalapeños and extra cheese. The restaurant has "twofer" deals with discounts when ordering two pizzas at a time, and the kitchen prepares a range of sandwiches and Italian dinners. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $
ROTOLO'S PIZZERIA
201 Decatur St., 948-3287; 3741 Jefferson Hwy, 833-7054; www.frenchquarterpizza.com
All your favorite pizza options are offered at this airy, colorful pizza parlor as well as pastas, sandwiches, salads and bar snacks. A nod to local fare, the muffaletta pizza includes pepperoni, salami, Canadian bacon, olive salad and mozzarella cheese. The menu has a heart-healthy roasted vegetable sandwich with melted provolone and the roasted turkey sandwich with homemade chipotle mayo. Rotolo's also has a pizza buffet lunch option. Delivery available in the French Quarter and limited areas. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
ROUX BISTRO
500 Canal St., 595-5506; www.sheratonneworleans.com
Chef Chris Brown prepares inspired renditions of New Orleans- and European-style dishes at this well-appointed restaurant in the Sheraton Hotel. Specialties include crawfish beignets in remoulade sauce and a hearty, rib-sticking cassoulet made with red beans, duck confit and duck sausage. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$
ROYAL BLEND
204 Metairie Road, Metairie, 835-7779; 621 Royal St., 523-2716
Royal Blend is a comfortable coffeeshop and café. The baked potato salad and the chicken salad sandwich with bacon and avocado are favorites with regulars. There is a full range of sandwiches, salads, wraps and weekly specials, plus muffins, pastries and desserts. There is a full menu of coffee drinks. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $
RUE DE LA COURSE
1140 S. Carrollton Ave., 861-4343; 3121 Magazine St., 899-0242
Fresh cupcakes, croissants, muffins and biscotti are among the baked goods at these comfortable coffeeshops. Caffeine cravers will find a full range of house-roasted coffee and espresso drinks, flavored iced coffees and specialty teas. The layered latte is the house specialty. Sandwich options include a choice of bread, like dark black forest or seven-grain, meats like roast beef, turkey or chicken salad, a range of toppings like peppers, tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts and choice of cheese. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $
RUSSELL'S MARINA GRILL
8555 Pontchartrain Blvd., 282-9980
The whole fried onion is a classic at this Lakeview institution, which serves up a tasty, inexpensive menu of dishes all day long. Mornings start with dishes such as eggs Benedict with a homemade hollandaise sauce and old standards like scrambled eggs, grits and ham. At lunchtime, try the seared ahi tuna entrée with a sweet and spicy plum sauce and a side of sweet potato fries. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $
RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE
3633 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 888-3600; www.ruthschris.com
Everything sizzles with butter at Ruth's Chris. Steaks ranging from the petite filet up to the porterhouse for two are seared and arrive with a kiss of hot butter. Seafood options include ahi tuna, Maine lobster and a special of blackened jumbo shrimp with Maine lobster claws in an Asian ponzu sauce served over bok choy with shiitake mushrooms. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
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