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
#s | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
ABITA BAR-B-Q
69399 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, (985) 892-0205
Abita gets to the meat of the matter with its slow-cooked brisket and pork. Sandwiches are filled with brisket, pulled pork, sausage and chicken breasts. Platter options offer slabs of ribs, turkey legs, half chickens and pork steaks. For side items, there is everything from macaroni and cheese, cornbread and potato salad to coleslaw, corn on the cob and baked beans. Abita serves bottled beer as well as local Abita and other brews on tap. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $
ABITA BREW PUB
72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, (985) 892-5837; www.abitabrewpub.com
Abita Brew Pub, the local brewery's dining branch, is one of the more popular places to finish off a bike ride on the Tammany Trace. Along with daily specials and pub grub like burgers and hot wings, Abita Brew Pub gets creative with everything from pecan-crusted catfish and barbecue ribs to fried quail and crawfish pasta. Reservations recommended for large parties. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards and checks. $$
ACME OYSTER & SEAFOOD HOUSE
724 Iberville St., 522-5973; 1202 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 246-6155; 3000 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 309-4056; www.acmeoyster.com
Fried, grilled, on the half-shell or spilling out of a dressed loaf of French bread, oysters are a main draw at Acme. Other options include boiled seafood, gumbo and platters of fried seafood. For something more land based, dig into red beans and rice or try the aptly named Ten Napkin roast beef po-boy, which swims in gravy. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
ACQUISTAPACE'S SUPERMARKET
125 E. 21st Ave., Covington, (985) 893-7554; www.acquistapace.com
Acquistapace is more than just a supermarket. It also offers signature deli sandwiches such as the popular hot roast beef. Customers also may pick from daily specials like Wednesday's spaghetti and meatballs, Thursday's fried chicken and Friday's seafood. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $
ACROPOLIS
3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 888-9046
Acropolis offers some of the most popular Mediterranean dishes found in Greece and Italy, with an eclectic menu that features pizzas, gyros, lasagna, moussaka, lamb chops and salads. The popular Acropolis salad is a medley of field greens, bacon, tomato, blue cheese, cucumbers, Bermuda onions, kalamata olives and sunflower seeds. No reservations. Lunch Wed.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
ADAM'S CATFISH HOUSE
8523 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse, 392-0541
Adam's serves catfish in just about every way imaginable. It comes grilled, fried or served atop salad greens tuna salad-style. The whole fish platter is an entrée of three fresh fish on the bone, served with French fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. Adam's also offers a children's menu and appetizers like a fried onion, fried vegetables and fried pickles. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Thu.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
ADOBE CANTINA
1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, (985) 624-2990; 1905 W. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 419-0027; www.adoberestaurant.com
A Southwestern take on Mexican cuisine makes these cantinas popular destinations for burritos, fajitas and quesadillas. Fish tacos are filled with fresh mahi-mahi. The chimichangas, essentially fried burritos, are stuffed with steak, ground beef or chicken and served with rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. The dessert menu now includes cheesecakes and more traditional Mexican sweets. Reservations accepted Mon.-Thu. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
ADOLFO'S
611 Frenchmen St., 948-3800
Above the bustle of Frenchmen Street, this intimate café offers Italian dishes and a variety of seafood. The menu features Italian specialties like eggplant Parmesan and veal piccata. Signature sauces like the Verde — buttery spinach with a nutmeg bite — top chicken, steak and veal. Reservations accepted for four or more. Dinner daily. Checks. $$
ALBASHA GREEK & LEBANESE RESTAURANT
1958 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 867-8292; www.albashabr.com
The Mediterranean mix at Albasha combines Greek and Lebanese favorites. Diners can choose from chicken shawarma, gyro plates of mixed beef or lamb, or lighter fare such as salads topped with feta or tabbouleh. The vegetarian plate is loaded with hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, tabbouleh and more. For dessert, there's baklava drizzled with honey and ashta, a phyllo pastry with cream cheese. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
ALIBI BAR AND GRILLE
811 Iberville St., 522-9187; www.alibineworleans.com
You can believe it when French Quarter denizens and service industry people say they head to the Alibi for late-night meals. Popular fixes include delectably greasy standards straight from the fryer, like cheese sticks, jalapeño poppers, chicken fingers. Big plates of nachos are suitable for several people to share. There's also a selection of salads, po-boys and burgers. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
ALLEGRO BISTRO
1100 Poydras St., 582-2350
This upscale CBD lunch spot aims high with soups, pastas and sandwiches like the tenderloin and Brie sandwich. Weekly specials include dishes like New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, featuring peeled shrimp smothered in spicy sauce over garlic mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $$
THE ALPINE
620 Chartres St., 523-3005; www.thealpinebistro.com
Despite a Continental-sounding name, Alpine's Creole and Cajun cuisine sticks close to its bayou origins. Original dishes range from the smoked duck to grilled ahi tuna La Boheme, topped with spicy barbecue shrimp. Standards such as jambalaya, red beans and rice and etouffée are familiar Cajun/Creole options. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch and late-night Sat.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
ANATOLE
600 St. Charles Ave., 274-0105
At Anatole, chef Raymond Toups serves a menu of Louisiana seafood and chop-house classics like the aged rib-eye, cognac-flamed filet mignon and center-cut pork chop. Seafood dishes include Grand Isle shrimp and Atlantic salmon. Anatole is also famous for specialty drinks like the Neutral Ground, a frothy concoction of vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed coffee. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
ANDREA'S RESTAURANT
3100 19th St., Metairie, 834-8583; www.andreasrestaurant.com
Chef Andrea Apuzzo combines a mastery of Northern Italian cuisine with fresh local seafood at his namesake restaurnt. For a taste of the Old World, try the Trota Bayou la Fourche, a fillet of speckled trout sautéed in olive oil and served with lump crabmeat in lemon cream sauce. Steaks, beef tenderloin and homemade pastas round out the offerings. A menu of decadent desserts offers everything from chocolate to fresh strawberries. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
ANDREW JAEGER'S
4250 Hwy. 22, Suite B, Mandeville, (985) 624-2300; www.andrewjaegers.com
Andrew Jaeger's offers a mix of seafood dishes inspired by Louisiana and Italy. Crawfish etouffée and oysters en brochette wrapped in bacon are favorites. The menu also features steaks and veal entrées, including baby white veal topped with jumbo lump crabmeat in garlic butter sauce. Italian specialties range from mussels in red sauce to seafood stew. A children's menu is available. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards and checks. $$$
ANGELI ON DECATUR
1141 Decatur St., 566-0077
The large street-front windows at Angeli give diners a glimpse of the bohemian ambience bustling along Lower Decatur. The menu combines Middle Eastern and Italian cuisines with aplomb, topping pizzas with everything from standard pepperoni to feta, sun-dried tomato, roasted garlic and artichoke hearts. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$
ANGELO BROCATO'S
214 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1465; www.angelobrocatoicecream.com
New Orleans' most famous purveyor of ice cream is a Mid-City sweet shop that also provides ice creams and pastries to restaurants all over town. Brocato offers 24 flavors made fresh with milk, cream, fruit, nuts and nut pastes, as well as Italian ice specialties like spumoni or cassata. With spring comes blood-orange ice and Louisiana strawberry ice. Pastries and baked goods include several types of Sicilian cannoli, which are crispy ricotta cheese-filled pastry shells with semi-sweet chocolate chips or dipped in pistachio nuts. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $
ANNADELE'S PLANTATION
71495 Chestnut St., Covington, (985) 809-7669; www.annadeles.com
Guests flock to Annadele's for its pretty vistas of the Bogue Falaya River and the restaurant's gourmet menu. Chef Ronald Bonnette focuses on traditional New Orleans Creole cooking. Gulf fish Gabrielle is a sautéed Gulf fish fillet topped with shrimp sautéed with tomato and herbs in light lemon beurre blanc and served with wild rice. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thu.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards and checks. $$$
ANSELMO'S
3401 N. Hullen St., Metairie, 889-1212
Locally inspired seafood entrées share the billing with traditional Italian cuisine at this family-oriented eatery. A house special at Anselmo's is crawfish pasta Adrienne, which is penne pasta tossed with crawfish and mushroom cream sauce. For a dose of straight-up Italian comfort food, order the meatballs and red gravy served over angel hair pasta. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
ANTOINE'S RESTAURANT
713 St. Louis St., 581-4422; www.antoines.com
Tradition is always on the menu at Antoine's, the city's oldest restaurant, where the ambience, service style and menu all remain true to its 19th century French-Creole heritage. For an appetizer, the huitres á la Foch rests fried oysters on toast buttered with paté de foie gras and adds Colbert sauce. From the entrée list, the filet de truite aux ecrevisses/crevettes cardinal features grilled or fried trout with crawfish tails and shrimp in white wine sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., Dinner Thu.-Sat. and Mon., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR
Citywide; www.applebees.com
The extensive menu at Applebee's offers something for just about every taste. There are nachos, burgers, steaks, salads, a kid's menu and Weight Watchers' items. Entrées range from roasted chicken, baby back ribs and fajitas to fried shrimp, pasta dishes and others. Menu combos and specials offer great variety while keeping meals affordable. Several flavored cheesecakes, decadent chocolate brownies, cake and apple pie offer sweet conclusions to a meal. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
ARDOISE
4300 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 885-5566
Since new chef Patricio Gonzalez has taken over Ardoise's kitchen, he's done a total revamp of the menu with an emphasis on gourmet pasta creations, including his signature crabmeat ravioli. Check in regularly for his daily chalkboard schedules, all priced at $10 and under. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
ARNAUD'S RESTAURANT
813 Bienville St., 523-5433; www.arnauds.com
For more than 80 years, Arnaud's has served classic French Creole cuisine in highly civilized form just steps from the rumble of Bourbon Street. The restaurant is known for its founder's signature spicy remoulade sauce. Dishes range from baked oysters to redfish and a decadent Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
ASIAN PACIFIC CAFÉ
3125 Esplanade Ave., 945-1919
Now a haven for sushi and plenty of cooked Asian dishes, this onetime Esplanade Avenue cottage beckons diners with intimate table settings on its beautiful deck and side patio. Featured dishes include the Bayou Delight, crawfish and snow crab in a pineapple and mango mixture with special sauce. For sushi, sample the mango blue crab roll, a soybean wrap bundling Romaine lettuce, blue crabmeat chunks, mango and cucumber with sweet chili sauce. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
ASIAN SUPER BUFFET
3900 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 712-0899
Asian Super Buffet needs seven buffet lines to set out its array of Chinese dishes such as sweet and sour chicken or beef and broccoli. Special dishes change regularly. American fare like pizza, garlic bread and apple pie increase your options. Mongolian barbecue dishes are cooked to order and allow diners a choice of meat and vegetables. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner buffet all day Sunday. Credit cards. $
ASSUNTA'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
2631 Hwy. 190, Slidell, (985) 649-9768; www.assuntas.com
Assunta's offers hearty servings of lasagna, eggplant Parmesan and chicken cacciatore while also making a major specialty of local seafood treated to Italian preparations. The frutti di mare is loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp, crawfish, oysters and scallops, all sautéed in olive oil, garlic and diced tomatoes. Spaghetti aglio e olio is augmented with local oysters sautéed in olive oil and garlic. For dessert, there's spumoni, cheesecake and tiramisu. Reservations accepted for large parties. Dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards and checks. $$
ATTIKI BAR & GRILL
230 Decatur St., 587-3756; www.attikineworleans.com
In some Middle Eastern areas, tobacco accompanies the dessert course following an intimate dinner with close friends. Attiki heeds that tradition by offering a selection of flavored tobaccos to enjoy in imported hookah pipes. Regular dining options include Attiki kebabs of marinated tenderloin tips or seafood as well as other Mediterranean dishes and sandwiches. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$
AUDUBON GOLF CLUBHOUSE
6500 Magazine St., 212-5282; www.auduboninstitute.org
At breakfast, lunch or tee time, the bucolic setting of Audubon Park makes for an appetizing backdrop. At lunch, the kitchen scores a culinary hole-in-one with a clubhouse chicken salad platter, a combination of chunky diced chicken breast with pecans and red grapes on a bed of spring mix. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $
AUGUST MOON
3635 Prytania St., 899-5129; www.augustmoonneworleans.com
From curry to moo shu pork to Szechuan dishes, August Moon offers a wide array of popular Chinese and Vietnamese specialties. The crispy lemongrass shrimp features jumbo shrimp pan seared with onions and minced lemongrass and served with vermicelli and nuoc cham sauce. The extensive menu is broken down into helpful categories such as chef's specialties, Chinese dishes and low-cholesterol items. Brown rice is available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
AUSTIN'S RESTAURANT
5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 888-5533; www.austinsno.com
The intimate dining room at Austin's offers charm one might not expect to find when parking in front of the small strip mall where it is located. But once inside, the setting is warm and inviting. Try the pecan-crusted trout, which is served with a meuniere sauce, potatoes and seasonal vegetables. If you're interested in steaks or chops, the veal Austin is panéed baby white veal topped with lump crabmeat, button mushrooms and green onions. Reservations accepted. Dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
THE AVENUE PUB
1732 St. Charles Ave., 586-9243
The grill is always hot at the Avenue Pub. Stop in any time for big half-pound burgers, po-boys, BLT sandwiches chicken wings or a range of bar food options. Munchies include jalapeño poppers, mini-tacos covered in melted cheese, fried mushrooms and meat pies. No reservations. Open 24 hours daily. Credit cards. $
#s | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
