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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E

EASY DOGS
307 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, 367-1001; www.neworleanseasydogs.com
With more variations on the humble wiener than one would think possible, it's hard to declare any of the tasty frankfurter offerings at this hot dog shack best in show. Try the Gretna Dog, topped with hot or cold sauerkraut, or the Lundi dog, which nestles into its bun under a blanket of red beans and rice. Also on the menu is the Southern snack classic, the Frito pie: a mound of corn chips topped with cheese and chili. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Sat., dinner Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $

EAT NEW ORLEANS
900 Dumaine St., 522-7222; www.eatnola.com
The bright dining room at Eat New Orleans is a casual neighborhood spot to enjoy down home standards and gourmet dishes at affordable prices. Appetizers include a refreshing blue cheese and fig torte. For an entrée, try the stuffed bell pepper with Caesar salad. Shrimp and grits are a popular brunch dish. Diners are welcome to bring their own wine. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

THE EDGE BAR & GRILL
3400 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, 780-2266
The Edge Bar & Grill dishes up a full range of sandwiches, steaks and ribs and changing daily lunch specials. Try the grilled tuna served over angel hair pasta with sautéed mushrooms and onions. Popular specials include fried chicken, stuffed peppers and old-fashioned butter beans served with a side of baked macaroni. Sandwiches are stuffed with everything from hot sausage to fried oysters to veal Parmesan. Stop by on Tuesday and Thursday for steak night. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

EL GATO NEGRO
81 French Market Place, 525-9752; www.elgatonegronola.com
The airy, French-café atmosphere still lingers from the previous tenant of this French Market spot, but the menu is as authentic as Mexican dining gets. Chicken, beef and fish fill housemade tortillas and are seasoned with a dash of cilantro and a squeeze of lime. There are always new Mexican specials to try. Kick off any meal with a fresh carrot juice-infused margarita for a surprising take on the classic beverage. No reservations. Breakfast Sat.-Sun., lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

ELEVEN79
1179 Annunciation St., 299-1179; www.eleven79.com
Bar specials and an antipasti table at happy hour get things going early at this upscale Italian restaurant on the edge of the Warehouse District. In the dining room, the namesake veal Eleven79 speaks to the menu's sensibilities with tender sautéed veal complemented by roasted peppers, asparagus and mozzarella. Classic pasta dishes include the simple puttanesca and pasta Acciuga with garlic, olive oil, basil, parsley, vermouth, anchovies and capers. Reservations recommended. Lunch Thu.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$

ELIZABETH'S
601 Gallier St., 944-9272; www.elizabeths-restaurant.com
Elizabeth's offers Southern cuisine with a kick. Try the Caribbean seafood stew, a mélange of mussels, shrimp and leeks in spicy coconut broth. The lamb shank is braised with red wine and roasted garlic. The signature praline bacon flavors many dishes. For appetizers, get an order of boudin balls or blue cheese oysters. No reservations. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

THE EMBERS "ORIGINAL" BOURBON HOUSE
700 Bourbon St., 595-3172; www.emberssteakhouse.com
The crowds on Bourbon Street come and go with passing festivals and seasons, but Embers' kitchen serves up classic steaks, seafood and Italian dishes year-round. Menu offerings range from T-bones, strips and filets to fried shrimp, oysters, crawfish fettucine and veal Parmesan. A popular Cajun platter features fried catfish, red beans and rice, and jambalaya with andouille sausage. Reservations recommended. Lunch Sat.-Sun, dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

EMERIL'S DELMONICO
1300 St. Charles Ave., 525-4937; www.emerils.com
Classic and contemporary merge in perfect harmony at this St. Charles Avenue institution where New Orleanians dined for a century before chef Emeril Lagasse took the helm. Delmonico still exudes the air of old-line tradition. Start a dinner with the sweet-and-sour calamari or a classic Caesar salad prepared tableside. Entrée choices include prime steaks, pan-fried redfish meuniere or amandine, and the Duo of Lamb, featuring a Colorado lamb chop and garlic fennel lamb sausage. Desserts such as traditional bananas Foster and baked Alaska are finished tableside. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$

EMERIL'S RESTAURANT
800 Tchoupitoulas St., 528-9393; www.emerils.com
A brush with fame is one draw to the flagship restaurant of New Orleans' best-known celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, and the kitchen lives up to the superstar reputation. The menu showcases the eclectic and well-traveled tastes for which Lagasse is known. Entrée choices include andouille-crusted redfish with Creole meuniére sauce, grilled filet of beef with red onion marmalade, marrow butter and oxtail jus, and duck schnitzel with roasted shallots. The banana cream pie is the restaurant's signature dessert. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

EMPIRE Café
1633 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 951-8686
Empire Café's buffet lays out a variety of regional Chinese dishes with no wait. Best of all, it always costs less than $10. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

ERNST CAFÉ
600 S. Peters St., 525-8544
For more than a century, Ernst Café has been serving downtowners drinks and hearty fare. Burgers, chicken and fried seafood are mainstays that make it a busy lunch spot. Look for the gumbo du jour and changing specials like ribs. There's plenty of outdoor seating to take advantage of in pleasant weather. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

ESPRESSO EXPRESS
One Shell Square, 701 Poydras St., Suite 116, 524-5115
Located inside One Shell Square, this bustling café draws folks from offices all over the CBD for hot breakfasts and fresh lunch choices. Breakfast tacos, muffins and cinnamon rolls start out the day. At lunch panini-style sandwiches and daily specials take center stage. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $

ETOILE
407 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 893-8873
This fancifully designed bistro owned by the artist James Michalopoulos, offers an artful take on modern Louisiana cuisine. The varied menu includes classics such as mussels steamed in white wine and dill, and creative combinations like a pork chop topped with black-eyed peas, fried okra and house Worcestershire. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

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