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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F

F&M PATIO BAR
4841 Tchoupitoulas St., 895-6784; www.fandmpatiobar.com
F&M's is a raucous last stop for many late-night revelers whether they come to dance on top of the pool table in front or head to the grill in the back. The limited menu includes burgers, quesadillas and legendary cheese fries, which are waffle-cut fries baked with a blend of three cheeses and topped with green onions. The Gator Quesadilla is stuffed with alligator sausage, grilled onions, peppers, salsa and cheese. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Cash only at the grill. $

FAIR GRINDS COFFEEHOUSE
3133 Ponce de Leon St., 913-9073; www.fairgrinds.com
Tucked away off Esplanade Avenue, Fair Grinds is a quaint coffeehouse offering premium coffees and teas. Light fare includes locally prepared pastries, desserts, breads and ice cream. Sandwiches are also available. There's plenty of outdoor seating to take advantage of during pleasant weather. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash and checks. $

FAT CITY DINER
3555 18th ST., Metairie, 888-4940
Don't expect some waitress named Alice to drop by the table to take an order because at Fat City, diners place their own orders right at the counter. This is a New Orleans-style diner with a plenty of local po-boy favorites — shrimp, oyster and roast beef — seafood platters that are fried or grilled and breakfast plates of eggs with choice of sausage, bacon or ham, grits and toast. Breakfast and Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $

FAT HARRY'S
4330 St. Charles Ave., 895-9582
This Uptown watering hole has been sustaining patrons through the day and long into the night for many years. The Cajun burger is an old standby for regulars, blending beef and Italian sausage. The chicken wings are famous among discerning students. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

FAUSTO'S BISTRO
530 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 833-7121; www.faustosbistro.com

Serving Italian classics and south Louisiana favorites for close to 20 years, Fausto's has attracted a large and loyal following of local diners. One popular choice is Fausto's frutti di mare with crab claws, oysters, mussels, crawfish, shrimp, calamari and fish in a garlic and seafood stock reduction sauce. Another specialty is the veal saltimbocca: tender veal medallions sautéed with fresh mushrooms, Italian herbs, crowned with prosciutto and mozzarella, and flamed in Marsala wine. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

FAZZIO'S
1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 624-9704
Italian and Creole traditions come together with delicious results at Fazzio's. For instance, the fettuccini Alfredo is made with crawfish and angel-hair pasta and topped with crabmeat in cream sauce. Appetizers include the sweet and spicy "bang bang" shrimp and the seared ahi tuna. Signature entrées of chicken or veal are prepared either piccata-, Marsala- or parmigiana-style. There also are steaks and changing daily specials. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

FEELING'S CAFE
2600 Chartres St., 945-2222; www.feelingscafe.com
Housed in a historic former home in the picturesque Marigny, Feelings café is both cozy and elegant with an old New Orleans vibe. Try the fried eggplant medallion topped with shrimp, crawfish and sausage in hollandaise sauce over rice. No reservations. Dinner Thu.-Sun., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$

FELIPE'S TAQUERIA
6215 S. Miro St., 309-2776; www.felipesneworleans.com
The service may be as quick as fast food and the prices just as easy on the wallet, but the food at Felipe's is much tastier, thanks to authentic recipes and fresh ingredients. The complimentary salsa bar has a kaleidoscope of spicy options to dress up the tacos, burritos and quesadillas. If the nachos, served with a choice of savory pork carnitas or chopped steak, don't whet the appetite, try one of Felipe's weekly specials. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $

FELLINI'S CAFÉ
900 N. Carrollton Ave., 488-2155; fellinisneworleans.com
This Mid-City eatery features a spacious outdoor patio perfect for springtime dining and an array of daily specials. The menu features pastas, sandwiches and pizzas. For a starter, try the spicy tomato dip. Mediterranean kebabs are made with beef, chicken or shrimp and are served with hummus and a small Greek salad. The chicken portobello roll with fresh red pepper sauce is a favorite. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FIESTA LATINA RESTAURANT
1924 Airline Hwy., Kenner, 468-2384; www.fiestalatinarestaurant.com
Pupusas are the house specialty here. The thick corn disks are filled with cheese or crunchy pork and covered with tangy cabbage slaw. The fried tilapia with rice, beans, salad and fried plantains or tortillas will fill up anyone. Don't miss out on traditional desserts like flan and rice pudding. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $

FIORELLA'S CAFÉ
45 French Market Place; 1136 Decatur St., 528-9566
The nautical décor at Fiorella's showcases its practiced hand with fried seafood plates and po-boys, although regulars know the real gem is the famous crunchy, but juicy, well-seasoned fried chicken. Southern soul food is served late into the night with sides like potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese and crisp fries. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. Credit cards. $

FIRE OF BRAZIL
725 Iberville St., 552-4446; www.fireofbrazil.com
At this South American churascaria-style steakhouse, waiters tote skewers with generous cuts of meat around the dining room, offering beef, chicken, turkey, pork and sausage, which are sliced directly onto your plate. Some of the offerings include linguica, a seasoned pork sausage, and chicken breasts wrapped in bacon. Meals include salads and side dishes from a buffet. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

FIVE HAPPINESS
3605 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3935; www.fivehappiness.com
A Mid-City institution, Five Happiness offers a large selection of regional Chinese cuisines. Daily lunch specials include a choice of soup, shrimp fried rice and fried wonton. For dinner, try the Triple Dragon, a trio of chicken, beef and shrimp simmering in hot garlic sauce. All dishes can be altered for preferred spice level. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

FLAMING TORCH RESTAURANT
737 Octavia St., 895-0900; www.flamingtorchnola.com
The menu of this romantic neighborhood restaurant is filled with both classic French bistro dishes and creative, original compositions. In addition to traditional dishes like the daube with fine slices of top-round beef braised in red wine for hours with vegetables, it also offers tasty seafood entrées like the oyster la Madrague, pan-fried oysters rolled in grilled eggplant and topped with melted Gruyere. Crevettes sazerac features jumbo shrimp with red bell peppers, herbs, saffron, rye whiskey and beer, served with toasted baguette slices. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$

FLORA GALLERY & COFFEE SHOP
2600 Royal St., 947-8358
There's a funky bohemian vibe to this unassuming café as regulars sip espresso drinks, herbal teas and fresh juice while playing chess, check out fliers for arty downtown happenings and catch up on neighborhood gossip. The small kitchen offers an eclectic menu of baked goods and lunch fare that ranges from Tex-Mex to Middle Eastern items. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $

FONG'S CHINESE RESTAURANT
2101 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 467-9928
Fong's has long been a popular Kenner destination for Chinese cuisine. Regional dishes use a variety of shrimp, pork, chicken, beef and vegetable ingredients. Staple appetizers include wontons and crab rangoon. The Triple Treats platter includes beef, pork and chicken stir-fry with Chinese vegetables like bok choy, baby corn and snow peas. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FOX AND HOUND
1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., Jefferson, 731-6000
Fox and Hound has a deep roster of beer and food with 38 brews on tap and an extensive selection of appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. The Black Forest sandwich is Bavarian pretzelbread piled high with grilled turkey, smoked bacon and Monterey Jack cheese, dressed and spiced with honey mustard. Wall-to-wall flat-screen TVs give every seat in the house a good vantage point. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

FRANK'S RESTAURANT
933 Decatur St., 525-1602; www.franksrestaurantneworleans.com
Opening onto the bustle of lower Decatur Street, Frank's is a casual spot to enjoy traditional Italian dishes and local sandwiches. The muffuletta is always popular, and more elaborate dishes include the crawfish Gagliano with garlic, green onions, fresh sweet basil and other seasonings, all over angel hair pasta. Snapper Jack is a deep-fried fillet smothered in shrimp, crawfish and crab over pasta. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $$

FRANKY & JOHNNY'S
321 Arabella St., 899-9146; www.frankyandjohnnys.com
Red-checkered tablecloths set the casual vibe at this Uptown tavern. Locals come for boiled crawfish in season and po-boys, fried seafood and gumbo year round. Try the fried bell pepper rings or alligator soup before taking on a fried soft-shell crab, fried chicken or a muffuletta. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

FRENCH MARKET RESTAURANT
1001 Decatur St., 525-7879
Spring is a good time to grab a balcony table at this restaurant at the top of the French Market. During the day, music carries over from street musicians and the smell of boiling seafood wafts from the kitchen. The Bayou platter is a popular option to get a taste of classic local dishes, including red beans and jambalaya. Snag a table on the balcony for a view overlooking the French Market itself. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

FRENCH QUARTER BISTRO AT THE MAISON DUPUY
1001 Toulouse St., 586-8000; www.maisondupuy.com/fqbistro.html
The twin delights promised here are Creole cuisine for which New Orleans is famous and French Quarter ambience that always mesmerizes visitors. For a sample of the kitchen's traditional specialties, try the "Taste of New Orleans" combination meal with portions of jambalaya, crawfish etouffée, gumbo and red beans and rice. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

FRESCO'S CAFÉ AND PIZZERIA
7625 Maple St., 862-6363; www.frescocafe.us
Fresco's Italian and Mediterranean menu features gourmet pizzas, salads, sandwiches on freshly baked bread and fragrant dishes like the peppery portobello mushroom pasta. The chicken Caesar wrap is a popular menu item and many guests start their meal off with a spicy Mediterranean tomato dip comprised of pepper paste, walnuts and feta cheese. Delivery available. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FRIAR TUCK'S BAR & GRILL
5130 Freret St., 891-4080; www.friartucksbar.com
Weekly drink specials and sports on TV keep the good times rolling at this Uptown college hangout. The kitchen offers plenty of choices to make sure drinks have a solid foundation on which to rest. Philly-style cheesesteaks come with mushrooms, onions, peppers and Swiss cheese on hoagie rolls. The fryer churns out a steady supply of waffle fries, sweet potato fries and corn dogs. No reservations. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FRIENDS COASTAL RESTAURANT
407 St. Tammany St., Madisonville, (985) 845-7303; www.friendscoastal.com
Friends Coastal lives up to its seafaring name. The Cajun Lobster is actually a Maine lobster boiled in savory spices. The seafood lasagna layers sheets of pasta with spinach, Gulf seafood and a béchamel sauce, and the blackened "katfish" is seared in a hot iron skillet and topped with bronzed shrimp, crabmeat and key-lime butter. If your sea legs abandon you, dig into Caribbean jerk chicken or Quesadillas Gigante. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

FUEL COFFEE HOUSE
4807 Magazine St., 895-5757
Breakfast sandwiches of scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese on toasted English muffins provide fuel for the day at this Uptown coffeehouse. In addition to a range of coffee drinks, Fuel also serves fresh vegetarian soups like split pea or black bean. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $

FURY'S
724 Martin Behrman Ave., Metairie, 834-5646
This casual neighborhood restaurant features a familiar lineup of Italian and seafood staples such as boiled and fried shrimp, fish dishes, veal parmigiana and stuffed manicotti. There is also fried chicken, red beans on Monday and hot gumbo every day. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $$

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