International

If all this fish has got you hankering after a steak for a change, stop in at Argentinian Grill (tel. 504/445-4264, 3–10 p.m. Thurs.–Tues.), at the Posada Arco Iris, and try the beef tenderloin or the filet mignon for around US$16, or a chorizo sausage. Even the half portion of meat, served with a twice-baked potato and veggies for US$13, is a generous plate. Don’t worry if your companion isn’t a meat-eater, as there’s vegetarian lasagna and a daily vegetarian plate. Good seafood is, of course, also available, served with Argentine chimichurri sauce for variety.

Pinocchio’s (tel. 504/445-4466 or 504/9837-7287, 6–9 p.m. Tues.–Fri.) is tucked a hundred meters or so off the main road in West End [1], but well worth seeking out for the excellent, unusual dishes, such as beef tenderloin with sesame and merlot reduction, and its intriguing selection of tapas. Prices are not cheap (US$11–20 per plate), but it’s great for a splurge. The new European owners include a pastry chef from the Netherlands, who makes desserts to die for, such as a plum tart with earl grey mascarpone.

The Blue Channel (tel. 504/445-4133) offers movie screenings and frequent live music along with its Italian-style pastas. The breakfasts are good too.

Featuring Tex-Mex dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, and chimichangas, for about US$3.50–5, Cannibal Café (tel. 504/445-4026, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) is in front of the Sea Breeze Inn [2]—you can’t miss the life-like “cannibal” sitting out front. The “big Kahuna burrito” is famously large; if you can stuff down three within an hour, they’ll give them to you for free.