Gianna
Gianna, an Italian restaurant from the Link Restaurant Group, opened in late April in the CBD. Executive chef Rebecca Wilcomb, most recently of Herbsaint, heads the kitchen. Wilcomb’s menu will feature daily antipasti, house-cured meats, locally farmed produce, Gulf seafood and house-made pastas, inspired by her travels across Italy. Gianna, 700 Magazine St., 399-0816, Mon-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., GiannaRestaurant.com.
Mama Thai
A new Thai restaurant, Mama Thai, has opened in Bucktown. It’s run by Pannee Varnishung, a veteran of the restaurant scene whose Mai Tai on the West Bank is credited as being the first to serve Thai food in the city. The opening menu is short, but it hits the high points, and if commerce is an indication, they’re doing well. Mama Thai, 200 Old Hammond Hwy., 267-0040, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m., every day but Sunday. No website at the moment.
Barracuda
Barracuda, a new taco joint, opened recently on Tchoupitoulas, between Napoleon and Louisiana. The menu is essentially five tacos that run the gamut from chicken in an adobe made with turmeric on flour tortilla, to the “farmer,” which is grilled spaghetti squash and canary beans with mint and pumpkin seeds on corn tortilla. You can order the tacos as “bowls,” too. Barracuda, 3984 Tchoupitoulas St., 266-2961, Mon-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri-Sun. 9 a.m.-11 p.m. EatBarracuda.com.
