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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T

TAJ MAHAL INDIAN CUISINE
923 Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-6859
The oldest Indian restaurant in the area is still going strong after more than a quarter-century in business. The tandoor oven remains the centerpiece of the operation, producing moist, roasted chicken, lamb and shrimp plus an array of delicious naan and stuffed breads. Traditional dishes include tikka masala with pieces of marinated chicken finished with tomato gravy. Bhindi masala is made with Louisiana okra, onions, tomatoes and abundant Indian spices. The weekday lunch buffet is a bargain. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. Credit cards. $$

Takumi
2800 Magazine Street, 265-0421; www.takumineworleans.com
Takumi offers a range of refined Japanese cuisine. There is sushi, sashimi and marbled Kobe beef as well as specialty dishes like Ise-Ebi Taraba, grilled Japanese spiny lobster stuffed with shrimp and wild mushrooms and king crab with sea urchin paste served with wasabi steam rolls and vegetables. For a New Orleans spin, try the spicy miso gumbo that brims with oysters, shrimp, fried soft-shell crab, okra and cilantro with Cajun and Japanese spices. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

TAN DINH
1705 Lafayette St., Gretna, 361-8008
Tan Dinh takes an authentic and upscale approach to Vietnamese dishes. The chicken-and-beef rice-noodle soup, or pho, comes with a side of sprouts, jalapeños, basil and lime so diners can season the refreshing soup to their liking. Marinated roast duck with sticky rice is also popular. Also try the Korean-style beef short ribs. The restaurant serves wine, beer and sake. Rich, thick Vietnamese iced coffee is made with condensed milk. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. Credit cards. $

Tandoori Chicken
2916 Cleary Ave., Metairie, 889-7880
Tandoori offers traditional Indian cuisine, starting with samosas stuffed with potatoes and peas, spicy curries and abundant vegetarian options. Popular entrées include chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken masala. Desserts include rice pudding. Service for lunch and Sunday dinner is a buffet. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TAQUERIA CHILANGOS
2723 Roosevelt Blvd., Kenner, 469-5599; www.taqueriachilangos.com
Loyal patrons had to chase the flavors of Taqueria Chilangos when it was a roving taco truck serving Jefferson Parish. Now the gourmet fare is anchored at a restaurant that boasts an expanded menu of Mexican dishes like chile rellenos, burritos, tacos and brisket. The stationary location also has a full bar. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TAQUERIA CORONA
1827 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 738-6722; 3535 Severn Ave., Metairie, 885-5088; 5932 Magazine St., 897-3974
Taqueria Corona's cozy cantinas offer tart margaritas and Mexican and Latin American fare with authentic flair. Fried fish tacos with shredded cabbage, cebolitas and shrimp and cheese-filled flautas are specialties. Taco choices run the gamut with fillings from rib-eye and cow tongue to chorizo. Also try the Mexican pizza or big California-style burritos. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TAQUERIA GUERRERO MEXICO
208 N. Carrollton Ave., 484-6959
An inexpensive lineup of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas have made this a popular lunch spot in Mid-City. There's a big-screen TV constantly screening Mexican soap operas or soccer, but diners tend to pay closer attention to chips and spicy dips. The menu also offers fajitas and pupusas. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

TAVERN ON CITRUS
5708 Citrus Ave., Harahan, 218-5186
The Tavern is a casual spot to grab a beer and play a game of pool, but its grill is also a sure shot. The Tavern burger is a big 10-oz. beef patty grilled to order. Salads share space on the menu with pub grub standards like fried mushrooms and mozzarella sticks. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

TEA GARDEN
1918 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 833-9455
The selection of classic Chinese dishes includes favorites such as moo goo gai pan and General Tso's chicken. Family dinners such as kung bo shrimp and sweet-and-sour pork are a bargain at just over $10. There are daily lunch specials as well. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $

TECORO'S SEAFOOD & ITALIAN RESTAURANT
3525 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 466-5550; www.tecoro.com
TeCoRo's is as Italian as it sounds but the name is a combination of the three owners: Terrie, Corliss and Rose. Italian classics and local favorites fill the menu. The Mobster Lobster used to swim with the fishes, but here the Maine émigré is outfitted with a crabmeat dressing, crawfish cream sauce and served with potatoes and corn. The eggplant Napoleon layers fried eggplant medallions with mozzarella cheese and creamy sauce with baby spinach, crawfish tails, andouille sausage and tasso. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

TED'S FROSTOP
3100 Calhoun St., 861-3615
The gigantic root beer mug in the parking lot may still sit upside down as a reminder of Katrina, but everything else is back to normal at this vintage diner. The signature Lot-o-Burger is as good as ever. Fried seafood and plate lunches like baked chicken or pork chops provide square meals. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

TENNOU SUSHI BAR
1818 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 366-3898
Fans of this West Bank sushi bar often opt for combinations of sushi, cooked meats and soups. There are also bargain-priced bento box dinners. In addition to large sushi rolls and sashimi, dishes such as baked green mussels and fried dumplings are popular choices. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TEXAS BAR-B-QUE COMPANY
3320 Houma Blvd., Metairie, 456-2832
Tucked away just off Veterans Boulevard, this Metairie eatery serves slow-smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork as plates, on a bun or on French bread. A signature dish is the smoked potato stuffed with chopped barbecue beef and topped with sauce, cheese and chives. Steaks, burgers, fried seafood plates and po-boys round out the bill of fare. No reservations. Lunch daily, dinner Mon-Sat. Credit cards. $

THAT INDIAN PLACE
201 St Charles Ave, Second Floor, 975-5664; www.thatindianplace.com
This take-out-only café has been spicing the air of the Place St. Charles food court with the alluring aroma of Indian cooking. There are many options for vegetarians, and fresh fruit smoothies are available for lunch or breakfast. Tuesday's special of chutney shrimp is cooked with mangoes, tomatoes, chiles and ground spices. Kicap chicken is made with a dark soy sauce, peppers and curry leaves. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri. Cash only. $

THEN, NOW & NEXT CAFE
6401 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 885-5700; www.fourpointsnola.com
A flexible menu with a host of grilled entreés is the hallmark of this café located inside the Sheraton Four Points Hotel. Specialties include shrimp fettuccine, grilled tilapia and grilled crab cakes with lemon-butter sauces. There are a number of low-calorie options as well. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
THEO'S PIZZA
4218 Magazine St., 894-8554; www.theospizza.com
Theo's pizza comes with a distinctive thin crust. From there, toppings are limited only by imagination. The Eccentric specialty pizza packs garlic, chicken, spinach, peppers, jalapeños, yellow squash, spicy tomatoes and Parmesan, mozzarella, and feta cheeses. Pizza aside, Theo's also dishes up toasted sandwiches and salads. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

THE TIMES GRILL
1827 Front St., Slidell, (985) 639-3335; 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 626-1161; www.timesgrill.com
Although known for burgers, Times Grill also offers salads, sandwiches, wraps, fried seafood in po-boys and baskets, and pasta entrées. One of the restaurant's staple hamburgers is topped Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. The Aloha has pineapple, teriyaki sauce and cheddar. The Buffalo burger is brushed with a mild wing sauce and finished off with provolone cheese and onion rings. Tuesday is steak night, and kids eat for free on Wednesday nights. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

TODARO'S RESTAURANT
2701 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 362-8522; www.todarosrestaurant.com
For fine Italian dining on the West Bank, check out Todaro's comfortable dining room and wide-ranging menu. Start with a blue crab butternut squash bisque or tomato basil soup. Seafood lovers favor the fried calamari gnocchi and the ahi tuna, which is peppered and served with sherry mushroom risotto and balsamic vinegar reduction. The osso buco features three petit veal shanks with rich pecan and jalapeño gravy served over buttered fettuccine. Reservations recommended. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

TOMATILLO'S
437 Esplanade Ave., 945-9997 www.tomatillosnola.com
The large courtyard at Tomatillo's is a cool spot to enjoy spicy Mexican dishes. Try the vegetarian fajitas Verdura for a healthy feast. Off the grill, there is Sauza tequila-marinated pollo Borracho, topped with queso blanco, fiesta ranch sauce and pico de gallo. The menu ranges from tortilla chicken soup to spicy grilled rib-eyes. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

TOMMY'S CUISINE
746 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-1103; www.tommyscuisine.com
Creole dishes get some worldly flair and Italian dishes pick up a local accent on Tommy's eccentric menu. The soft-shell crab is fried and served over linguini with fresh basil and Roma tomatoes in crawfish sauce. The fish of the day, Fish Capri, is sautéed and topped with crabmeat, crawfish, capers, artichokes and beurre blanc sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

TOMMY'S WINE BAR
752 Tchoupitoulas St., 525-4790
Sharing management and a kitchen with its neighbor Tommy's Cuisine, this urbane wine bar can deliver its patrons a lot more than bar snacks. Light bites include shrimp remoulade, duck salad over spinach, crabmeat maison and mussels steamed in white wine with sautéed tomatoes and caramelized garlic. Meanwhile, the bar serves a varied list of wines by the glass and a large selection by the bottle. No reservations. Light dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TONY ANGELLO'S
6262 Fleur de Lis Drive, 488-0888
In the heart of Lakeview, Tony Angello's serves traditional Italian cooking and is known for its homemade tomato sauce. The veal spiedini features medallions of veal round stuffed with eggplant. The Eggplant Tina tops eggplant medallions with Romano cheese and tomato sauce. Reservations accepted. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

TONY MORAN'S RESTAURANT
240 Bourbon St., 523-4640; www.ruebourbon.com
Above the historic Old Absinthe House, Tony Moran's serves classic Italian favorites and New Orleans seafood. Oysters with pancetta combines local bivalves with Italian bacon for an irresistible appetizer. Popular entrées include pappardelle with mushrooms, peas, prosciutto and cream. Simple Creole dishes include Gulf fish topped with lump crabmeat and lemon-butter sauce. Reservations preferred. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TOUT DE SUITE
347 Verret St., 362-2264
Enjoy a leisurely meal in the heart of Algiers Point. There's an array of rotating breakfast dishes and specials featuring fresh soups, salads and sandwiches. Tout de Suite offers huevos rancheros and a chicken panini with apple-smoked bacon and Swiss cheese. For dessert there are pastries and cakes. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TREY YUEN CUISINE OF CHINA
600 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 626-4476; 2100 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, (985) 345-6789; www.treyyuen.com
Trey Yuen built its reputation at the original Mandeville location with deft touch for Chinese regional dishes, elegant ambience and a little extra spectacle, like fishponds and a pagoda-style building. The cooking is what keeps diners coming back. Try the crawfish with spicy lobster sauce, which features crawfish tails, pork, peanut oil, garlic, ginger and egg wok sautéed and served over a bed of rice. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

TUCKER'S TAVERN
869 Magazine St., 522-0440
Tucker's is the home of the deep-fried burger. The Big Al is a half-pound patty stuffed with pepper Jack cheese and mushrooms. The Big Tuck loads bacon, pepper Jack and American cheeses on the inside and cheddar and barbecue sauce on top. Appetizer options include fried pickles, nachos, spicy Buffalo oysters and wings. The extensive menu also features homemade soups and salads, po-boys, sandwiches wraps, quesadillas and entrée platters of grilled fish and steak. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

TUJAGUE'S RESTAURANT
823 Decatur St., 525-8676; www.tujagues.com
Tujague's is one of the city's senior Creole establishments and with its massive wooden bar, imported from Paris, it has the patina of weathered elegance. It adheres to its longtime prix fixe menu with a small number of entrée selections complemented with other signature courses. The chicken Bonne Femme is seasoned chicken pan-fried with garlic and served with cottage fries. Crawfish Bayou Teche serves crawfish tails over fried eggplant with a crabmeat dressing. The brisket with tangy horseradish sauce is a signature dish. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

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