New
Orleans
In a city that is light on Thai restaurants, the news that Sukho Thai is expanding to a second location uptown is most welcome. Sukho Thai is a favorite in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, and the new location promises to be even more expansive. The restaurant is moving into a cavernous space formerly occupied by a combination kitchen store and cooking school. That means the kitchen is far better equipped than the Marigny restaurant, which will allow the chefs to try out new dishes and continually allow the menu to evolve. We hope they keep the three-flavor fish and seafood clay pot on the menu, and we feel confident the slightly addictive rice pudding will make the cut. Sukho Thai also has one of the most comprehensive tea menus in the city. Sukho Thai, 4519 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70118, 504-948-9309.
The words "Sid-Mar's is back" have been resounding throughout New Orleans. Sid-Mar's was one of the favorite Lakeview area seafood restaurants. It was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, much to the disappointment of local seafood lovers. Now, the eatery has returned in a new Metairie location. Owners Sidney, Jr. and Marion Burgess, who owned and operated the place for almost 30 years, are back front and center, and happily greeting their former clients. Sid-Mar's is known for its gumbos and po' boys, as well as boiled and fried seafood. Among the most popular menu items, the giant fried seafood platter is back. Also returning are the irresistible stuffed crabs and the house jambalaya. Sid-Mar's shrimp bordelaise appetizer has also returned. There are over 1,000 restaurants open in the metro area now (more than before Katrina), but to many New Orleanians, the return of Sid-Mar's truly represents the recovery of the local restaurant scene. Lunch & Dinner daily. Sid-Mar's, 3322 N. Turnbull Dr., Metairie, LA 70002, 504-831-9541.
For years Chef Susan Spicer has been garnering attention because of her French Quarter restaurant, Bayona. Now, Spicer is set to open Mondo in May, which she describes as a "comfortable, casual, upbeat neighborhood restaurant and bar with an international menu full of things you want to eat." If Spicer says we want it, we believe it. The truly distinctive news about this place is that it will open in Lakeview, the area hardest hit by the 2005 hurricanes, and one that has clawed its way back. It so happens the chef lives in Lakeview. Today, Lakeview is thriving, and Spicer's presence there is bound to give the neighborhood a lift. Look for pizzas from wood-burning ovens, local seafood, ethnic specialties and handmade desserts. Bayona is known for its fabulous desserts, so expect nothing less from Mondo. Prices will be moderate, and although the wine list will not be terribly complex, it will surely be well thought out. Mondo, 900 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124, 504-224-2633.
New Orleanians have been encouraging chef Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen's to expand his culinary repertoire by opening more locations. Brigtsen surprised everyone recently when he took over the shuttered and locally beloved half-century old Charlie's Seafood, a good old New Orleans fried seafood joint. Brigtsen, who for years said he did not want a second location, nevertheless bought Charlie's, renovated it, spruced it up and re-opened it, much to the delight of Charlie's faithful regional following. On the menu? The same wonderful seafood platters, stuffed crabs, grilled seafood items, and fish topped with the house shrimp and crabmeat sauce. Brigtsen, who has helmed Brigtsen's since 1988, kept the sparse, not-so-fancy interior intact, and the building? Well, don't drive too fast or you'll miss it! Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner Tues.-Sat. Charlie's Seafood, 8311 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan, LA 70123, 504-737-3700.
After eight months and 19 surgeries resulting from a freak accident that led to life-threatening circumstances, chef Matt Murphy returned to his post at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. As if that were not big enough news, Murphy shortly thereafter debuted his new M Bistro, on the lobby level of the hotel. The room has gone through various incarnations since the hotel opened a few years ago, but this one appears to have staying power. The ever-smiling chef with the thick Irish brogue offers highly creative comfort food. Typical dishes on the menu include shrimp and grits, braised rabbit lasagna with wild mushrooms and goat cheese, blackened redfish, shrimp po-boys and a red bean vegetarian pie. Do yourself a favor and try the chef’s baby back ribs, and do not leave before you enjoy sticky toffee pudding. Best of all, Murphy is using as many foods as possible from Louisiana farmers, and his innovative “green waste” program is the only one of its kind in the city. The program donates vegetables, egg shells, boxes and bio-degradable food products to a local farm that will use the materials as compost. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily. M Bistro, The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-524-1331.
All Proceeds from a New Cookbook to Benefit Haiti Earthquake Relief
Leave it to the great chefs of New Orleans to come up with a creative way to help Haitian earthquake victims. Big name local chefs including Matt Murphy, John Besh and Brian Landry (among others) have contributed recipes for the new RHINO Cookbook. RHINO stands for Recipes Homemade in New Orleans. The book features 400 pages of recipes and tips, contributed by the chefs and others. Local company Durr Heavy Construction covered the production costs, and all proceeds go to Haiti, via Catholic Charities. Order online at http://www.durrhc.com. The book costs $20.
MiLa Introduces 30 Wines under $30
The elegant downtown restaurant MiLa continues to cater to recessionary pocketbooks by introducing 30 bottles of wine under $30 each. Chef-owners (and husband and wife) Slade Rushing and Allison Vines-Rushing are making the new wine list available now, at both lunch and dinner. About dinner: The Rushings offer a nightly dinner tasting menu, six courses for $65. The only thing better may be their $20 prix-fixe three-course lunch, offering such items as phyllo-crusted redfish or braised beef short ribs. And do not miss the vanilla bean rice pudding. The Rushings change the menu frequently, making repeat visits a must. MiLa, Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel, 817 Common St., New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-412-2580.
New Orleans Cooking Experience Offers Classes Based on Julia Child's Cookbook
If you have yet to have the New Orleans Cooking Experience, this Spring promises to be among the best times ever to start. Not only are some of the finest area chefs going to be offering classes, but in June, renowned area chef Gerard Maras will offer a series of classes based on Julia Child's cookbook. Building on the continuing popularity of the 2009 film, "Julie & Julia," and the renewed attention to the cookbook, three consecutive days of classes will be offered at the House on Bayou Road. The house is an elegant bed and breakfast with a full size teaching kitchen. Classes are held continually in the kitchen, and after each class, all of the attendees get to eat everything that has been prepared. Check the web site for a full schedule for March, April and May. Among the highlights: Brigtsen's owner/chef Frank Brigtsen will teach students how to prepare some of his favorites, including crawfish etouffée, catfish and stone-ground jalapeño cheese grits and his locally beloved pecan pie. All classes are $150 per person, including instruction, recipes, wine service, seated meal and all taxes and gratuities. New Orleans Cooking Experience, 2275 Bayou Rd., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504-945-9104.
"The Emeril Lagasse Show" Debuts on ION TV
Chef Emeril Lagasse (Emeril's) is a New Orleans treasure, but through his many appearances on television he has become a nationally beloved figure. Now, Emeril takes his big personality and recipes to the ION TV network at 8 p.m. Sundays, beginning March 28. This time, Emeril will welcome celebrity guests, musicians and entertainers, as well as some of his friends with the studio audience. A house band will be on set, playing live music and interacting with Emeril, guests and the audience. The show also will include entertaining and surprising field pieces that will be shot in and around New York City where the show will be taped. Emeril has a strong track record as a national TV personality, has hosted over 1,500 shows on the Food Network, and is the food correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America.” His show “Essence of Emeril” can be seen on the Food Network, and “Emeril Live” appears on both Fine Living and Food Network. Emeril's, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-528-9393.
Domenica Cooking up a Special Feast for St. Joseph's Day
In New Orleans, St. Joseph’s Day is a major holiday, and this year Domenica is joining the celebration. From March 12–19, chef John Besh offers a special four-course feast. While some New Orleanians pay homage to the saint, the patron saint of carpenters, by erecting altars in their homes, others will be dressed to the nines and headed to The Roosevelt New Orleans for dinner at Domenica. On the menu? Artichoke, fava bean and blood orange salad, pasta milanese, seafood brodetto, and a finale of zeppole with anise, figs and sweet ricotta. Also known as a St. Joseph’s Day “cake”, zepolle is Italian sweet dough fried to perfection. Domenica, The Roosevelt New Orleans, 123 Baronne St., New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-648-6020.
Quick Fix Prix-Fixe Lunch Menu at Bayona
Bayona offers a Quick Fix Menu for lunch Wednesday through Friday. Guests can enjoy three courses for $22, excluding drinks, tax and tip. Bayona, 430 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-525-4455.
Chef Matt Murphy, who fought a protracted start-and-stop battle with a life-threatening infection, is back on his feet and back at his post as executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans hotel. Murphy and his crew have also unveiled a new concept and menu at Melange, the hotel's fine dining room. Gone is the original menu that offered a taste of signature items from famous New Olreans rstaurants. In its place, Murphy has introduced an all-American menu featuring such items as a lobster mac and cheese appetizer, and entrees such as an herb-crusted rack of Colorado lamb, and seared Maine scallops with a black truffle emulsion. And do not even think of escaping with out a taste of the sweet potato praline torte with brown butter ice cream. Welcome back, Matt! Melange, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, 921 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-670-2830.
The venerable Bluebird Cafe, favorite breakfast haunt of countless New Orleanians, has served its last stuffed omelet and final plate of pancakes. Owner Sally Roberts loved the place as much as her extremely loyal clientele, but she says she was “wearing down.” The squeaky clean eatery lasted for more than 20 years, and as neighborhood eateries go, it was certainly one of the most consistent and reliable places in town. Bluebird Cafe, 3625 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115, no phone.
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Annual Restaurant Issue Published NEW!
RESTAURANT AWARDS
Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!
DINING ON A BUDGET
Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.
