SPRING R E STAU R A N T GUIDE
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Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon. and Thu.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
MATTINA BELLA
MEGUMI YAKIMONO AND SUSHI BAR
421 E. Gibson St., Covington, (985) 892-0708 Many items on the large menu of breakfast dishes at this Covington cafe carry over to lunchtime. The California omelet is filled with mushrooms, avocados and Swiss, and the Florentine omelet is stuffed with creamed spinach and artichokes and topped with mozzarella. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Tue.-Sun. Credit cards and checks. $
MAURICE FRENCH PASTRIES
3501 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, 885-1526; 4949 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 455-0830; www.mauricefrenchpastries.com Along with pastries, Maurice offers a wide selection of sugar-free baked goods. The most popular item is the kugelhopf, a specialty pound cake. No reservations. Hessmer Avenue: breakfast Mon.-Sat. West Napoleon Avenue: breakfast Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $
MAXIMO’S ITALIAN GRILL
MCALISTER’S DELI
Citywide; www.mcalistersdeli.com McAlister’s signature sandwiches include the “big nasty,” roast beef served on a toasted open-face hoagie with “come back” gravy and cheddar Jack cheese. McAlister’s is known for its baked potatoes and also serves wraps, salads and flatbread pizzas. A children’s menu is available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $
MEAUXBAR BISTRO
942 N. Rampart St., 569-9979; www.meauxbar.com Expect new twists on bistro classics at Meauxbar. Appetizers include onion soup gratinee with Gruyere crouton. The mac and cheese is made with baked ziti, mushrooms duxelle, goat cheese, Gruyere and truffle oil. The poisson en papillote is a Louisiana or Gulf fish steamed in parchment paper. Reservations recommended.
MELIUS BAR & CAFE
1701 Lake Ave., Metairie, 8289446; www.meliusbarbucktown.com Stop in to Melius in the morning for a breakfast of eggs, sausage or bacon and Texas toast. For lunch, get grilled or fried chicken atop a salad with tomato, bacon, egg and cheese. Melius fries are covered in Swiss cheese and gravy. No reservations. Breakfast Mon.-Fri, lunch daily, dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
MELLOW MUSHROOM
1645 Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 327-5407; www.mellowmushroom.com Offbeat pizza options include the red skin potato pie, which features red potatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, sour cream and ranch dressing. Mellow Mushroom also serves calzones, hoagies and salads. Gluten-free crusts are available. During spring, there are crawfish boils every Friday. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, late-night Fri.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
THE MELTING POT
1820 St. Charles Ave., 525-3225; www.meltingpot.com Grab a fork and go for a dip (or several) at this fondue favorite. Fontina and Butterkase cheeses fill a garlicky spinach and artichoke fondue. For dessert, try the white chocolate creme brulee, or choose from a decadent list of chocolate fondues. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
MESON 923
923 S. Peters St., 523-9200; www.meson923.com Chef Baruch Rabasa’s frequently changing menu combines Spanish and French flavors with classic New Orleans notes. The crudo section of the menu features hamachi with blood orange, fennel, pickled onion, radish
MIDDENDORF’S
30160 Hwy. 51 S., Akers, (985) 386-6666; www.middendorfsrestaurant.com Fried thin-sliced catfish is this restaurant’s most wellknown dish. An entree salad includes mixed greens topped with boiled shrimp and spicy new potatoes. Hushpuppies, coleslaw and onion rings are among the side items. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards. $$
MIKE’S ON THE AVENUE
628 St. Charles Ave., 523-7600; www.mikesontheavenue.com Chef Mike Fennelly’s menu combines Southwestern and Asian influences. Salmon baked in banana leaves comes with basil couscous and lemongrass sauce. The New Orleans-style bouillabaisse includes Gulf shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops, corn, white wine, sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper rouille. Reservations recommended. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.Sat. Credit cards. $$$
MIKIMOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR
3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 488-1881; www.mikimotosushi.com This sushi bar has both room to dine in and a drivethrough pick-up window. The carpaccio sashimi has white fish with red onions, olive oil, capers, basil, green onions and spicy sauce. The super niku maki features thin slices of fish with snow crab and green onions in teriyaki sauce on a sizzling plate. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
MILA
817 Common St., 412-2580; www.milaneworleans.com Chefs Allison Vines-Rushing and Slade Rushing reinvent Southern and Creole dishes. Signature oysters Rockefeller “deconstructed” features poached Louisiana oysters, spinach, bacon chips and licorice root. Crispy-skinned red snapper is served with broccoli puree, wilted romaine and grapefruit sauce. Save room for a root beer float, with vanilla bean bavarois, ginger snap tuiles and Abita Root Beer sorbet. Reservations recommended. Breakfast daily, lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.Sat. Credit cards. $$$
MILANO’S PIZZERIA
3002 Cleary Ave., Metairie, 780-7500 Along with pizza, subs and calzones, Milano’s offers a variety of pasta dishes. The Mardi Gras pasta features shrimp and fresh vegetables tossed in spicy bisque cream sauce over linguini. Popular pies include a spinach and artichoke pizza. Delivery available. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily. Credit cards. $
MILK BAR
1514 Delachaise St., 891-9361 The Milk Bar is located inside Cafe Prytania. Gourmet sandwiches include Clooney’s Choice, made with ciabatta from La Boulangerie and filled with grilled chicken, avocado, roasted red peppers, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella. Wash it down with a hand-dipped milkshake. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $
MIMI’S IN THE MARIGNY
2601 Royal St., 872-9868; www.myspace.com/mimisinthemarigny Mimi’s Spanish-influenced tapas take bar food to new heights. Hot items include goat cheese croquettas, calamari with chorizo in cream sauce, mushroom manchego toast and beef empanadas with aioli. Other options include plates of Spanish cheeses or marinated olives. No reservations. Dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $
MIMI’S ITALIAN AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
10160 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, 737-6464; www.mimisriverridge.com Enjoy Italian and Creole cooking at Mimi’s. Seared veal hanger steak is served over house-made spaghetti with onions and a soft-cooked egg. Braised lamb cheeks are tossed with pasta, fava beans, baby arugula and served with ricotta salad. Reservations recommended. Dinner Wed.-Sat., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
MR. B’S BISTRO
201 Royal St., 523-2078; www.mrbsbistro.com Mr. B’s is a modern Creole favorite in the French Quarter. Barbecue Gulf shrimp are served in New Orleans-style peppery butter sauce with French bread. The gumbo ya ya is a country-style gumbo made with chicken and andouille sausage. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner daily, brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$$
MR. ED’S SEAFOOD AND ITALIAN RESTAURANT 910 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 463-3030; 1001 Live Oak St., Metairie, 838-0022;
www.austinsno.com Mr. Ed’s is known for fried chicken and Italian cuisine, and local dishes like trout amandine. Diners can choose red, white or lima beans with rice. Seasonal specialties include shepherd’s pie, crawfish and soft-shell crab dishes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $$
MR. GYROS GREEK RESTAURANT
3620 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, 833-9228; www.mrgyros.org Pita sandwiches come with your choice of chicken, souvlaki, falafel, vegetable or gyro meat (a combination of ground beef and lamb). Mr. Gyros also has kebabs and daily specials including pasta, fish and veal dishes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
MR. JOHN’S STEAK HOUSE
2111 St. Charles Ave., 679-7697; www.mrjohnssteakhouse.com Steaks, seafood and Italian dishes round out this Uptown restaurant’s menu. Options include New York strips, filets mignon, rib-eyes and porterhouse steaks for two. Crabmeat ravioli feature Dungeness crab in Asiago cream sauce. Reservations recommended. Lunch Fri., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
MR. POOR BOY RESTAURANT
10202 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, 737-1170 Mr. Poor Boy offers sandwiches filled with shrimp, catfish or slow-cooked roast beef dripping with gravy. Grilled or fried catfish is served with Creole eggplant sauce, salad and potato salad or garlic potatoes. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
MR. ROO’S DELI & CATERING
3501 Severn Ave., Metairie, 885-4010; www.mrroosdeli.com Mr. Roo’s serves po-boys and sandwiches including a muffuletta filled with salami, Chisesi ham, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses and olive salad. Grilled ahi tuna is served over angel hair pasta in garlic butter sauce with salad, bread and vegetables. No reservations. Lunch Mon.Sat., dinner Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $
MIYAKO SEAFOOD & STEAKHOUSE
1403 St. Charles Ave., 410-9997; www.japanesebistro.com Miyako offers a wide array of Japanese dishes from its sushi bar and hibachi grill. The hiba-
chi special combines lobster, filet mignon and shrimp and comes with clear miso soup, salad, hibachi noodles and mixed vegetables. The Miyako roll is a batter-fried roll filled with salmon, white fish, crab, avocado, cucumber and tobiko. Reservations accepted. Lunch Sun.-Fri., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
MO’S PIZZA
1112 Avenue H, Westwego, 3419650; www.mospizza.net Mo’s is known for its extralarge, hand-tossed pizzas served whole or by the slice. Specialty pies include a muffuletta version and chicken and spinach Alfredo. Pizza turnovers are filled with meat and cheese, and the Supreme includes black olives, onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
MOJITO’s RUM BAR & GRILL
437 Esplanade Ave., 252-4800; www.mojitosnola.com Mojito’s serves a mix of Cuban, Caribbean and Creole dishes. Caribbean mac and cheese pie is filled with lobster, tomatoes, sauteed garlic and scallions and topped with cheese sauce. Shrimp ya ya features grilled Gulf shrimp over jalapeno cheese grits made with applewoodsmoked bacon, garlic and shallots. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, late-night Tue.-Sun., brunch Sun. Credit cards. $$
MOJO COFFEE HOUSE
1500 Magazine St., 525-2244; www.myspace.com/mojocoffee Mojo serves coffee and tea drinks as well as a menu of soups and sandwiches. The Magazine sandwich features ham, apple and Brie on your choice of seven-grain, tomato-basil or sourdough bread. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $
MONA LISA RESTAURANT
1212 Royal St., 522-6746 Specialty pizzas and pasta dishes are featured at this bohemian French Quarter hideaway. Mardi Gras linguine includes andouille and shrimp in tomato cream sauce. Top off a dinner of shrimp scampi with homemade tiramisu. No reservations. Lunch Fri.-Mon., dinner daily. Credit cards. $$
MONA’S CAFE
504 Frenchmen St., 949-4115; 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 8618175; 3901 Banks St., 482-7743; 4126 Magazine St., 894-9800; www.monascafenola.com Find traditional Middle Eastern dishes across the city at Mona’s locations. There page 63
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1117 Decatur St., 586-8883; www.maximosgrill.com An open kitchen allows guests to watch cooks prepare meals. Osso buco features a braised veal shank finished with garlic, thyme and white wine demi-glace, served with grilled asparagus and roasted red potatoes. The house-made ravioli special changes daily. Reservations recommended. Dinner daily. Credit cards. $$$
1211 Village Walk, Covington, (985) 893-0406; 4700 Hwy. 22, Suite 11, Mandeville, (985) 845-1644; www.megumirestaurant.net Megumi’s Yakimono’s sushi bar creates new special rolls every week. The Dixie Chick roll is made with spicy tuna, snow crab, avocado and tempura flakes and topped off with white sauce. The Downtown Kicker Roll is comprised of tempura shrimp, both seared and spicy tuna, jalapeno, seared escolar, mango and eel sauce. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $
and blood orange vinaigrette. Sauteed triggerfish is served with quinoa, jumbo lump crabmeat, sweet potato and smoked-tomato vinaigrette. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $$$
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