Zea offers slow-roasted meats from the rotisserie and creative takes on new American and Asian favorites. Thai ribs are St. Louis-style ribs slow cooked with spicy soy and sweet chile glaze with Asian herbs. The bar serves beer specially microbrewed for Zea. Reservation policy varies by location. Lunch and dinner daily. Kenner location serves brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
The coffeeshop serves cupcakes, cookies and pastries, including gluten-free options. Savory items include dishes such as Not Yo Mama's Cornbread — jalapeno cornbread topped with creamy sauce, cheddar and bacon bits. The Vieux Reuben is corned beef, house-made sauerkraut and remoulade on toasted rye bread with a choice of chips, fruit or potato salad. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $
This casual restaurant serves Italian and Creole favorites. Veal canneloni with pureed spinach is a house specialty. Other popular dishes include corn and crabmeat bisque and osso buco. Reservations accepted. Chastant Street: Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. St. Charles Avenue: Lunch Tue.-Fri., dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
Decorated with JoAnn Clevenger's collection of folk art, Upperline Restaurant is a colorful place to enjoy a combination of traditional and creative Creole dishes. Grilled redfish is topped with "Muddy Waters" sauce and served with crispy cauliflower. Two-day slow-roasted duck has crisp skin and tender meat. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
Standard diner fare like omelets, pancakes and biscuits are the cornerstone of this cafe’s extensive menu. Savory lunch and dinner options include fried shrimp, catfish and oyster platters, gumbo and po-boys. Daily specials range from red beans and rice on Mondays to white beans and smothered pork chops on Thursdays and seafood specials like stuffed shrimp on Fridays. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily, open 24 hours Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $
Tommy's Wine Bar specializes in wine and martinis. The Cruvinet temperature-controlled wine dispensing system keeps the whites chilled just right. The bar has live music nightly, with a jazz band on Friday and Latin music on Saturday. Open daily. No smoking. Full restaurant menu.
Fish Capri is a sauteed fillet topped with jumbo lump crabmeat, crawfish, artichokes and beurre blanc. Lightly battered and fried soft-shell crabs are served over linguine with fresh basil, Roma tomatoes and Reggiano-crawfish sauce. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
Chef Scott Boswell combines exotic ingredients with a refined and whimsical touch. White cheddar popcorn forms a crust for Louisiana black drum with crawfish, local sweet corn macque choux and wilted greens with sour cream and onion butter. Pan-seared scallops and shrimp are served with truffled andouille and caviar butter. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
This Lakeview institution marks its 41st year in December. Its longevity is built on its namesake food item as well as a lively atmosphere marked by a 18-seat bar, four TVs and specialty cocktails like the brandy Alexander freeze. Open Mon.-Sat. No smoking.
Shrimp Roban combines sauteed shrimp and spicy sauce over shell pasta. Chicken Parmesan features two Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts sandwiched around provolone cheese, served over linguine in Alfredo sauce and topped with marinara. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
The crisp sweetbreads and waffles tasting plate includes a quail egg, Smithfield ham and maple demi-glace. Shrimp and foie gras dumplings are served with braised greens. Reservations accepted. Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
The onion mum appetizer is a large onion cut and fried to resemble a flower in bloom. For breakfast, eggs Pontchartrain features poached eggs atop an English muffin with fried green tomatoes, bacon and hollandaise. Reservations accepted for large parties. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $
At the Rib Room, prime rib au jus anchors the menu. Beef is seasoned with sea salt and herb roasted, and an 11-ounce cut is served with salad and baked potato. Diver scallops are served atop shrimp risotto. Reservations recommended. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, brunch Sat.-Sun. Credit cards. $$$
Chef John Besh's flagship restaurant provides an elegant setting for his contemporary Louisiana cooking. Handmade potato gnocchi are tossed with blue crab and Perigord truffles. The breaded trout Pontchartrain is served with mushrooms, lump crabmeat and hollandaise. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
Have drinks with a meal in the storied dining room at Ralph's (take in the murals on the walls), or sit at the bar and sip specialty cocktails while you eat truffle fries, boudin balls or a cheese plate. Happy hour features $5 cocktails and wines. Jazz pianist Joe Krown performs on some nights. Open daily. No smoking. Full restaurant menu. Happy hour 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tue.-Thu.