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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G

GW FINS
808 Bienville St., 581-3467; www.gwfins.com
There's always something new on the menu at this upscale seafood establishment as chef Tenney Flynn stocks his kitchen with a wide range of fresh fin fish and shellfish from around the world. The yellowfin tuna is wrapped in Japanese nori, seared and served with ginger and wasabi, and the sautéed red snapper is accompanied by shrimp etouffée, mashed potatoes and lobster butter. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

GALATOIRE'S RESTAURANT
209 Bourbon St., 525-2021; www.galatoires.com
Legendary Friday afternoon lunches at Galatoire's famed 100-year-old first-floor dining room are a veritable who's who of New Orleans' society. Seeing and being seen take second place, though, to chef Brian Landry's touch with tried-and-true specialties like crabmeat a la maison, shrimp remoulade and trout meuniere. Finish a meal with a festive flaming café Brulot. Reservations accepted for the upstairs dining room. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$

GALLEY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
2535 Metairie Road, Metairie, 832-0955
Boiled seafood is a favorite at Galley, but there's a wide range of other preparations to choose from including fried and blackened items. Creole dishes, seafood-topped jumbo salads and gumbo brimming with shrimp, oysters and okra round out the menu. Galley's Louisiana soft-shell crabs,fFeatured at Jazz Fest, are knock-outs. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

GAMBINO'S BAKERY
300 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, 391-0600; 4821 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 885-3620; http://gambinos.info
This is a Crescent City institution for those with a serious sweet tooth. Gambino's bakes pies, petit fours and doberge cakes year-round at its Gretna location. The Café at Gambino's in Metairie is an intimate lunchtime haunt, boasting muffulettas, salads and gourmet soups. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $

GATTUSO'S DELI
435 Huey P. Long Drive, Gretna, 368-1114; www.gattusosdeli.com
Gattuso's has been a Gretna institution for years, serving burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and ice cold beer. Boasting six different types of club sandwiches, Gattuso's also offers tasty appetizers including calamari, fried pickles and crab and corn bisque. Featured entrées are baby-back ribs served with watermelon barbecue sauce, spaghetti and meatballs and fried seafood. Side dishes include loaded baked potatoes and sweet potato fries. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $

GAUTREAU'S RESTRAURANT
1728 Soniat St., 899-7397; www.gautreausrestaurant.com
A fine-dining enclave tucked away on an Uptown side street, Gautreau's has been enticing patrons to sample its contemporary Creole cuisine for years. The halibut is crusted with Parmesan and served with chanterelle mushrooms and tomato confit risotto. Grouper is sautéed and served with lobster, gnocchi, asparagus and mushrooms. Desserts range from sorbet to fine cheeses to a vanilla bean créme brulée. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$

GELATO PAZZO CAFÉ
8115 Oak St., 304-6908; www.gelatopazzo.com
The café boasts fresh gelatos and Italian country cooking at its best. The grilled shrimp panini features large Gulf shrimp with mixed greens, grilled Roma tomatoes and housemade fresh basil pesto on grilled ciabatta bread. Steak entreés with mushrooms and cheese round out the menu, and diners are welcome to bring their own wine. An array of gelatos in nearly 20 flavors are made with fresh fruit, nuts and imported chocolate. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Sun., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $

GENNARO'S
3206 Metairie Road, Metairie, 833-9226
Locals rely on Gennaro's for its round-the-clock service featuring New Orleans favorites like homemade plate lunches, delectable desserts, po-boys and fried seafood. Pork roast with smothered green beans, corned beef, and hamburger steak served with gravy and potatoes are popular daily specials. The chicken salad croissant is another perennial favorite. No reservations. Open 24 hours daily. Credit cards. $

GEORGE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, (985) 626-4342
George's is a comfortable spot to enjoy Mexican favorites like fajitas. Flat irons of sizzling beef or chicken arrive at your table with guacamole, pico de gallo and flour tortillas. The shrimp á la Mexicana features butterflied shrimp sautéed in spicy sauce made with tomatoes, onions and sweet peppers. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GIMCHI
3322 N. Turnbull Drive, Metairie, 454-6426
When you hear the name Gimchi think kimchi, the spicy cabbage concoction that is practically the national staple of Korea. This Metairie restaurant specializes in all things Korean, including traditional table-mounted barbecue units where guests can grill their own meats. A full sushi bar adds more options from the Far East. No reservations. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GIORLANDO'S RESTAURANT
741 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8593
Fried seafood platters join Creole- and Italian-inspired entrées and a list of sandwiches at this casual eatery. Shrimp fettuccine and spaghetti with meatballs served with homemade sauce are designed for hearty appetites. Giorlando's over-sized muffuletta is a house favorite and po-boys prepared on crusty French bread are reliable choices, especially the homemade roast beef. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Mon.-Tue. and Thu.-Fri. Credit cards. $$

GIO'S PIZZA & SPAGHETTI HOUSE
4941 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 885-3515
Gio's offers gourmet pies and pasta dishes at this family friendly restaurant. One popular pizza features roasted eggplant and garlic. Gio's meat combo pizza boasts homemade meatballs and piles of ham, pepperoni and Italian sausage. Classic Italian dishes also are mainstays. Try the cannelloni with chicken, spinach and ground beef stuffed into pasta and covered in cheese. No reservations. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$

GIO'S VILLA VANCHERI
2890 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, (985) 624-2597
Gio's is home to classic Italian dishes. Osso buco Milanese is a slow cooked veal shank served over Italian saffron rice or fettuccine. Orecchio di Elefante, or "elephant's ear," is a breaded 12-oz. veal chop served with a sauce of Italian herbs, capers and white wine and served on a bed of fresh arugula. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$

GO-GO GOURMET MARKET & CAFÉ
838 Derbigny St., Gretna, 361-5012
In addition to burgers, Go-Go offers creative dishes like the Bayou burger, a combination of andouille sausage and ground beef topped with Creole mustard sauce. For something a little richer, the Big Blue burger is made with Maytag blue cheese crumbles. On the seafood side, go with grilled yellowfin tuna, served on a bed of organic greens tossed with wasabi vinaigrette. Reservations accepted. Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $$

GOOD EARTH MARKET AND Café
821 Girod St., Mandeville, (985) 674-4329
Good Earth serves an array of natural, organic food with a southern Creole focus. Specialties include the mung bean sprout salad, a veggie focaccia sandwich and whole-wheat tortilla wraps with a variety of fixings. A savory cochon de lait po-boy is also available. Daily specials offer everything from soups and salads to tacos. There's also a full-service bakery. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$

GORDON BIERSCH
200 Poydras St., 552-2739; www.gordonbiersch.com
Half beer garden/half sports bar, Gordon Biersch offers outdoor tables and large-screen TVs in the bar. The brewpub serves several of its own beers on draft. There's also a large dining room, and the large menu of hearty dishes like the flatiron steak which is served on a nest of crispy fries drizzled with zesty homemade steak sauce. Gourmet pizzas are made with homemade dough. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GRAND ISLE RESTAURANT
575 Convention Center Blvd., 520-8530; www.grandislerestaurant.com
Though named for Grand Isle, Joel Dondis' restaurant offers seafood and nonseafood options. Shrimp Romesco features fresh shrimp in Romesco sauce with fresh spinach and Manchego cheese croutons. Potted Crab presents Louisiana jumbo lump crabmeat with shallot butter. Savory options include duck po-boys and pot roast. Reservations recommended. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

THE GROCERY
2854 St. Charles Ave., 895-9524; www.thegroceryneworleans.com
Pressing decisions await customers at the counter of this Uptown corner deli, which specializes in hot pressed sandwiches. The chicken pesto melt boasts sliced chicken breast, provolone, sun-dried tomato pesto, sautéed onions and Creole mayo on French bread. The Milan special features roast beef on wheat, pressed with onions, garlic horseradish mayo and cheese. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $

GROUND PAT'I GRILLE AND BAR
11 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, 367-9512; 1305 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 466-8060
The namesake burger — made with ground chuck and grilled to order over an open flame — keeps these taverns well grounded, but there's plenty more to choose from. The menu offers seafood entrées — fried catfish, tuna steaks, and grilled or fried shrimp — and there's a full selection from the grill that includes pork chops, rib-eyes, filets and T-bones. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

GUILLORY'S GROCERY
3708 Derbigny St., Metairie, 833-1390
Homemade hot tamales, jambalaya and rotating daily specials like fried pork chops and red beans and rice with smoked sausage are just a few of the hearty dishes on the deli menu at Guillory's. The deli also offers a long list of po-boys, burgers and salads and is known as the home of the "krispy crunchy chicken." No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $

GULFSTREAM RESTAURANT
1755 St. Charles Ave., 524-1578; www.hillstone.com
This stylishly designed St. Charles Avenue restaurant reels in the crowds with a seafood-focused menu, a lively bar scene and live music nightly. Try oysters St. Charles, a combination of fried oysters on a bed of creamed spinach with hot sauce and aioli, or go for an ahi tuna burger. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$

GUMBO SHOP
640 St. Peter St., 525-1486; www.gumboshop.com
A lush and breezy courtyard sets the scene at this French Quarter classic. Most meals begin with one of the kitchen's namesake gumbos. While the jambalaya, etouffée and po-boys are popular options, some lesser-known gems include alligator sauce piquant and chicken espagnole simmered in a brown sauce with mushrooms, shallots, wine and garlic. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$

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