Couvant
Couvant, a French brasserie, opened recently in the Eliza Jane Hotel in the CBD. Chef Brad McDonald got his start at City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi, worked with renowned chefs here and abroad, and most recently helmed a Southern-focused restaurant in London. Look for innovative takes on standards such as Pissaladière, mussels prepared several ways, steak frites and escargots. Couvant: 317 Magazine St., 324-5400; Sun.-Thurs. 7 to 10, Fri. and Sat. until 11, Sun. brunch from 10 to 3, Couvant.com.
Hot & Spicy Corner
Hot & Spicy Corner, a restaurant serving Pakistani and Indian cuisine, opened in August. The restaurant’s diverse menu includes several dishes not often seen locally, such as Dahi Bhalle: lentil dumplings with yogurt and chutneys; multiple goat dishes and a curry with hard boiled eggs. A large variety of breads and desserts are made in-house. Hot & Spicy Corner 3431 Houma Blvd.; 702-8660; Tues. – Sun. 10 to 10, Fri. 4 to 10. Hotspicycorner.com.
Estaño
New Orleans has a new spot for tapas: Estaño. The restaurant features a traditional take on the Basque small plates, both in the dishes offered and how they’re served. Here, “pintxos” such as croquettes, grilled octopus and bread topped with cured meats, cheese, seafood and tomato are put out on a bar for diners to choose while sipping Spanish wines and dry ciders. Estaño: 2266 St. Claude Ave.; 930-8038; Tues. – Sat., 10 to 10. Facebook.com/estanonola/.
