eatingneworleans.com » take a cab

Parkway Tavern (Best Poboys)

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:36:40 +0000

This twice-revived Midcity barroom/restaurant dedicates itself to the preservation of New Orleans’ native overstuffed sandwich — the po’boy. Seafood lovers should gravitate towards the oyster and shrimp versions, while omnivores should sample the drippy, sensuous roast beef. Be forewarned: these treasures are addictive and potentially coma-inducing.

538 HAGAN ST

504/482-3047

Music Venues

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:34:18 +0000

FRENCHMAN STREET
Most any tourist can find Bourbon Street — and believe us, ANY tourist does — but the music-crazy locals tend to congregate on this strip of music joints a few blocks downriver in the Faubourg Marigney district. Music flows out onto the street from bars such as the Spotted Cat (featuring everything from swing to bourbon-soaked blues), Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (the Marsalis family’s home port), and dba (premium liquors and just about anything that will fit on stage). Last call rarely comes, because there’s always an “next club” to draw you in.

FRENCHMAN STREET BTW. DECATUR & DAUPHINE

VAUGHN’S LOUNGE
This much-beloved Thursday night standing gig is known worldwide as “Kermit at Vaughn’s” — a nod to trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, who packs the tiny Bywater corner bar whenever he’s in town. Round about midnight, the low-ceilinged barroom packs with a stellar brass band (Kermit or a list of worthy substitutes) and sweaty dancers with no sense of the morning after. If Mr. Ruffins is playin’, he’s literally cookin’ — and serving red beans and rice between sets.

800 LESSEPS ST.

504/947-5562

Upperline (Great local art, open Sundays)

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:27:12 +0000

Every funky room at this Uptown standard exudes a welcome energy and drips with local artwork — thanks to the effort (and considerable collection) of owner, local fixture and bon vivant JoAnn Clevenger. She works the front of the house like a charismatic dervish as executive Ken Smith dedicates himself to dishes like a definitive dark-roux duck gumbo and fried green tomatoes topped with spicy shrimp remoulade.

4501 TCOUPITOULAS ST

504/894-9880

Brigtsen’s (Great Louisiana Seafood)

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:24:35 +0000

Local boy Frank Brigtsen passed on the modern modes of empire builder and celebrity chef, instead choosing to run one tiny restaurant in the Riverbend neighborhood exceedingly well. The unassuming side-gallery shotgun house feels like home to most of the loyal regulars from home and afar. Brigtsen’s wife Marna and her sisters run the dining rooms with a “damned near family” vibe; Frank works his tiny kitchen, pumping out fish and game classics like Louisiana shrimp remoulade with creamy devilled eggs and corn relish, pan-roasted venison and a wide-ranging “seafood platter” for the sampler crowd.

723 DANTE ST.

504/861-7610