Paloma Café
Paloma Café took over the spot formerly home to Café Henri in the Bywater, serving a menu largely comprised of Latin food. Chefs Danny Alas and Justin Rodriguez hail from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic respectively, but most recently they both worked at Compere Lapin, chef Nina Compton’s outstanding restaurant in the CBD. The food at Paloma is fairly casual but professionally-presented. Birmingham-based coffee house Revelator is behind the venture, so expect high-end Java as well. Paloma Café: 800 Louisa St.; Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 304-3062; Palomanola.com.
Hippie Kitchen
Hippie Kitchen opened recently in Old Jefferson. Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, but you’ll also find seafood, poultry and meat on the eclectic breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The folks behind Hippie Kitchen can boast some impressive fine-dining credentials, and pretty much everything served is locally-sourced, including the small selection of local beers. Most of the produce is grown in-house. Hippie Kitchen: 3741 Jefferson Highway; Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; 444-4113; Hknola.com.
Jack Rose
A great hotel in New Orleans needs a great restaurant. At the Pontchartrain Hotel, that restaurant is Jack Rose, which recently replaced the Caribbean Room. Besh Restaurant Group veterans Emery Whalen and chef Brian Landry operate the venture. Executive chef David Whitmore’s menu – with items like pompano en papillote and beef short rib daube – is reminiscent of classic New Orleans restaurants of years past. The “Living Room” lounge opens early, with more casual fare. Jack Rose: 2031 St. Charles Ave.; Living Room: daily from 3 to 10 p.m.; Dining Room: daily from 5 to 10 p.m.; 323-1500; JackRoseRestaurant.com.
