Saba
Chef Alon Shaya’s first restaurant under his Pomegranate Hospitality company, Saba, has opened in the space most recently occupied by Kenton’s. The menu at Saba will be familiar to anyone who dined at the chef’s former restaurant, Shaya, but look for a more casual brunch and a more family friendly atmosphere overall. Saba, 5757 Magazine St., Suite A, 324-7770, Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 2:30; Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday open until 10, and until 11 on Friday and Saturday.
Luvi
Luvi is an interesting new restaurant that bridges the gap between Chinese and Japanese food. The menu reflects both chef and owner Hao Gong’s birthplace in Shanghai and experience in local sushi restaurants. Fortunately, Gong pulls both cuisines off with aplomb. The intimate dining room is dominated by a long, curving sushi-style bar, and the décor is vibrant. Luvi, 5236 Tchoupitoulas St., 605-3440, Tuesday through Thursday from 11 to 2:30 for lunch, 5 to 9 for dinner – until 10 on Friday and Saturday.
Boil Seafood House
Viet-Cajun style crawfish – in which the crawfish are slathered in a butter-heavy and usually spicy sauce after being cooked – have made it to New Orleans. One of the first examples is Boil Seafood House, which in addition to crawfish serves crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels and clams as well as raw and char-grilled oysters. Boil Seafood House, 3440 Magazine St., 309-4532, Monday through Thursday from 3 to 10, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 10, and Sunday from 11 to 9.
