Manning’s (#198, 1/19/2012)
Manning’s marked the first time I went to a grand opening and, as expected, some things were a bit slow as they are working out the kinks, but overall a good place. It is as-advertised, an upscale sports bar; the food was very good, some interesting items and unique mixes. I had the Boudreaux Pie as well as sweet potato skins and cochon de lait poutine – all very tasty. However, there was one major problem – very small quantities. Everything was tiny; which doesn’t seem to fit well with a football-type crowd. An order of sweet potato skins was maybe half a sweet potato total. A friend had the fish and chips and it was two pieces of fish and apparently the breading was the chips. We all had appetizers, entrees and desserts and we were all ready to grab a pizza on the way home. Hopefully that changes because the bill for five of us (including a drink or two each) was over $200.
Riccobono’s Panola St. Café (#197, 1/15/2012)
After one visit, I had a new favorite breakfast stop, but it’s faded a bit, still good, but I still like to try out different places. It isn’t anything fancy, but for breakfast, I’m usually not looking for much – make me a good omelet, get me some bacon (weird thing – Mother’s doesn’t have bacon…huh?) and I’m good to go. Would also prefer not waiting in line and most times, I have been able to walk right in at Panola Street, sometimes you have to sit at the counter, but you can usually get a table. I definitely recommend it, especially to the Uptown folks in the area.
Le Meritage* (#196, 1/13/2012)
Another okay stop – worth checking out if you’re in the area (located in the Maison Dupuy hotel), but probably not worth a special trip. It’s not a real restaurant with full plates of food, but the bread and a bacon-wrapped fig (I’ve been eating a lot of figs lately, it seems) help fill you up. I had bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, which was ok. Everything is paired with wine, so that’s interesting.
EDIT: Closed in April of 2013.
Down the Hatch (#195, 12/4/2011) – 63
Down the Hatch is a little bar and grill just off Coliseum Square on Camp Street. I like it – though it took me almost two years to make a return trip. First time in, I was struck by the crazy little leprechaun at the entrance. They also have a handful of tv’s; it may be a good spot to watch some games, but not a very popular game as it’s probably too small.
While it’s definitely more “bar-oriented,” it has a solid menu with burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, salads, etc. Unfortunately, on my first trip, I had a bison burger, but that’s no longer offered. I went with a Down the Hatch burger, which was flavored with New Orleans spices to go with pepper jack cheese. It’s a nice sturdy burger sure to fill you up. Well-cooked and good bread. I also heard that the veggie burger is extra good, so that’s interesting for a bar-food place. The sweet potato fries were decent also. They have a lot of good drink specials – such as $1 PBRs and cheap happy hour deals, so seems like a good spot to drop in on after work some day. As far as food, I’m going with a 33 out of 50.
The atmosphere is good too. During my latest lunch stop, they were playing a solid 80s mix. Despite being a bar, it didn’t seem smoky at all (doors were wide open, but still seems like you get that residue). It was clean and comfortable. I’ll give it an 18 out of 30 for atmosphere.
The service was okay; a bit challenging as they had one bartender running around handling all the tables, but it wasn’t all that crowded and she did a good job with it. I’ll give it a 12 out of 20 for service.
Final score = 63.
Katie’s (#194, 12/3/2011)
An outstanding mid-city neighborhood joint. It had quite a trek making it back after Katrina (seven feet of water), but they’ve been open a little more than a year and it was very good. I really liked the atmosphere, something different about it, but very friendly, it definitely lives up to its “neighborhood restaurant” billing. I had a giant platter of oysters and shrimp and they were outstanding; plus a lot of interesting looking po-boys on the menu. I definitely recommend checking this place out, well off the beaten path, but well-worth it. Be careful though, it’s not open Mondays and closed at 9 on other week nights (it took about four tries for me to actually eat here).
Mike’s on the Avenue* (#193, 11/30/2011)
The Mike’s experience started well with really cool water glasses and Mazzy Star playing (not live). Downside was that it was freezing cold (too many windows and too cold outside?). Food was excellent. I had some pulled pork sliders which were very good, to go with some solid french fries. Fairly reasonably priced for a nice restaurant as well. It also has some cool random art – check the website to check some out.
Maple Street Café (#192, 11/27/2011)
This was an excellent discovery. I definitely recommend it for lunch or dinner. Very good and reasonably-priced. I’ve had a variety of things – the oysters amandine stands out in my mind – and definitely go for the stuffed shrimp in phyllo as an appetizer. I’m not sure what phyllo is, but it was excellent. You can sit inside or outside, with two outside areas (one shaded). I hear the pastas and salads are outstanding also.
Sara’s Bistro* (#191, 11/18/2011)
This was a pretty good stop (located in Riverbend, behind the little min-plaza area), but I should have known there was trouble when I saw awards for “healthiest restaurant.” The Louisiana crawfish eggrolls are a signature dish and were pretty bland. But I had a pork loin dish (a special) that was very good, so just be careful, maybe ask for unhealthy options. In addition, their website is all flash, which bugs me and the music gets very annoying.
Twelve Mile Limit (#190, 11/16/2011)
An outstanding NOLA experience…this one cut it close as far as being a restaurant, but I had excellent bbq (pork, white beans…and tater tots). It is a major dive located in a dicey neighborhood, but it has good cocktails – and my favorite thing about the place was the dobite and shot special for $5. The bartender even took my question seriously about what sort of shot she recommended to go with the red velvet dobite (Sazerac rye). I know many people on here will be surprised, but now and then, I have partaken in a shot or two.
Café Rani* (#189, 11/14/2011)
An outstanding lunch stop. I had a pesto-crusted chicken pasta which was outstanding. It has a nice courtyard outside and is a pretty good place, might even have to add it to my lunch rotation.