Home FOOD & DINING Weekend Cheat Sheet: March 2017

Weekend Cheat Sheet: March 2017

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Spend your weekend exploring the wonders of New Orleans, while rediscovering your passion for the art, music and cuisine of the Crescent City. 

 

crabbyjacks2Friday

Lunch at: Tucked away on Jefferson Highway just over the Orleans Parish line, Crabby Jacks isn’t a joint looking to attract tourists — even though it does. But that might have something to do with the quality of its po-boys. Owned and operated by Chef Jacques Leonardi (who also owns the uber-popular Jacques-Imo’s on Oak Street), Crabby Jacks offers an excellent selection of overstuffed po-boys, plate lunches, fabulous fried chicken and stellar sides. Fried shrimp, oyster, French-fry or slow-roasted duck, Leonardi’s po-boys will have you clamoring for more. Score a side of hand-cut onion rings or fried green tomatoes just to round out your lunch New Orleans-style. 428 Jefferson Hwy., (504) 833-2722, crabbyjacksnola.com

Revel in the arts at: Now in its 5th year, the BUKU Music + Art Project will be blasting into New Orleans March 10 and 11 at Mardi Gras World. Billed as a “boutique event that delivers a big festival punch without compromising its underground house-party vibe,” BUKU features the biggest names in EDM, hip-hop and indie rock music — such as deadmau5, Tycho, Caddywhompus, Roar!, Washed Out, Thundercat, The Floozies and more. In itself an art installation, BUKU features local artists who collaborate to create exhibitions like the Live Graffiti Gallery and Fort BUKU. Break out of your comfort zone and experience BUKU. thebukuproject.com

Lounge at: Located directly behind the courthouse on South White Street, SideBar is a spot where you can schmooze with the attorneys, judges, police and doctors of New Orleans, while sampling craft cocktails and artisan bar snacks. SideBar features an expansive selection of whiskey and bourbon, local brews in bottles and on tap, plus tasty grub, which includes bites like avocado frites with remoulade, maple-buttered popcorn and a Cajun roast turkey sandwich. The Tulane corridor hideout also offers specials like $5 Whiskey Wednesdays, $5 Bloody Marys all day on Saturdays and Sundays, and free red beans every Monday night. 611 S. White St., (504) 324-3838, sidebarnola.com

Saturday

Revive at: If you deem yourself a serious java snob, then look no further than Cherry Espresso Bar located Uptown on Laurel Street. Barista extraordinaire Lauren Fink is the persnickety owner/operator, and your finely honed palate will thank you when you taste one of her meticulously brewed creations. Though Fink’s main brew comes from RoseLine Roasters in Oregon, she also features weekly guest coffees from all over — such as Elm Roasters from Seattle, Sump Coffee from St. Louis, Mo., and Camber Coffee from Bellingham, Wash. In addition to specialty coffees and teas, Cherry Espresso Bar also offers a simple menu for breakfast and lunch with dishes like the Devil’s Mattress Breakfast Sandwich with sausage, fried eggs, cheddar, marmalade and maple butter. 4877 Laurel St., (504) 875-3699, cherryespresso.com

Feel inspired at: Located Uptown on the Tulane University campus, the Newcomb Art Museum is named for the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College (the first degree-granting coordinate college for women in the country, founded in 1886). From the school’s distinguished art program, internationally renowned Newcomb Pottery was born. Today, the Newcomb Art Museum “presents exhibitions that utilize the critical frameworks of diverse disciplines in conceptualizing and interpreting art and design.” Visit this esteemed museum and experience works by Mickalene Thomas, Andrea Dezsö, Edgar Degas, Chakaia Booker, Katherine Taylor, Patricia Cronin and Joan Mitchell. The Newcomb Art Museum is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. 6823 St. Charles Ave., (504) 865-5328, newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu

Dine at: Located on that weird triangle between Earhart Boulevard and Colapissa Street, Asuka Sushi & Hibachi is a fantastic spot for fresh, affordable sushi, featuring both traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine. From shrimp tempura and tuna tataki to avocado poppers (tempura-fried and stuffed with spicy tuna, snow crab and cream cheese) and a Sexy Girl Roll with pepper tuna, cucumber and snow crab, Asuka is bound to please all visitors. Asuka has a friendly and knowledgeable staff, but, if you don’t feel like being out and about, they also deliver! 7912 Earhart Blvd., (504) 862-5555, asukaneworleans.com

Sunday

Breakfast at: If you love that diner vibe and your hunger level is on high, there’s always locals’ favorite Slim Goodies Diner on Magazine Street only steps away from Louisiana Avenue. Feel free to stuff yourself silly on eggs (your way), hash browns, biscuits, bacon, sausage and pancakes in a restaurant that will not put a major dent in your wallet and will leave you sated till dinnertime. Along with basic breakfast deals, Slim Goodies offers specialty dishes like The Jewish Coonass with potato latkes, grilled spinach and crawfish étouffée or The SinkHole Omelet with bacon, sausage, ham, spinach, cheddar, feta, mushrooms and bell peppers. The iconic diner also features bottomless cups of coffee and a killer strawberry shake. 3322 Magazine St., (504)891-3447, slimgoodiesdiner.com

Support local artists at: Located in Dat Dog’s courtyard on Magazine Street, the Magazine Street Art Market is a splendid spot to shop and support the crafts and works of local artists in New Orleans. Browse through needlepoint creations by Nicole of Spot Colors, prints by Emma Fick, jewelry by Jackie LeVan, colorful drawings by Synthya Whitaker, pottery from Mira Ceramics and more. The Magazine Street Art Market is open every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. 3336 Magazine St., facebook.com/magazineartmarket

Relax at: Freret Beer Room is one of newest additions to the Freret Street corridor, opening just this past November. The beer-focused restaurant and bar features a rotating tap of local and regional brews and is open for dinner every day except Tuesday, and open for lunch Friday through Sunday. Both bottled and tap beer is available, featuring brews like Off Color Troublesome, NOLA Muses and Urban South Delta Momma. The staff (and owners) are more than happy to help pair your beer selection with dishes from the menu. Fast favorites already include the panéed chicken sandwich with pickle slaw and comeback sauce with a side of potato and turnip gratin with leeks and Gruyere cheese. 5018 Freret St., (504) 298-7468, freretbeerroom.com