Costera, the Uptown coastal Spanish restaurant and bar, is offering family-style tastings with a three-course tasting menu ($55 per person) and a four-course tasting menu ($70 per person). Dishes include charred romaine with summer vegetables; griddled sourdough with boquerones; Louisiana blue crab salad with charred Creole tomato, olive and crispy garlic; and seafood paella. 4938 Prytania St., 504-302-2332, costerarestaurant.com
At Wild South, Michael Stoltzfus’ newest restaurant, enjoy a five-course tasting experience that changes weekly, or an à la carte bar menu and a nightcap corner (think: amaro library). A new three-course prix-fixe menu also is coming soon. 1245 Constance St., 504-655-1338, wildsouthrestaurant.com
Oyster Specials
Red Fish Grill, led by Executive Chef Chris Vazquez, is offering BOGO BBQ oysters (buy one half dozen and get another half dozen free). The flash-fried oysters are tossed in Crystal Hot Sauce with honey barbecue and topped with house-made blue cheese dressing and crumbles. Pair them with $7 cocktails, such as the blueberry mojito or with wines by the glass. 115 Bourbon St., 504-598-1200, redfishgrill.com
Happy Hour Offerings
Café NOMA, led by culinary curator Bernard Carmouche, now offers Wednesday night happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Choose from small plates like prosciutto flatbread served with roasted garlic cream sauce, honey goat cheese, micro arugula balsamic drizzle and Louisiana strawberries, and $6 cocktails like Strawberry Fields made with vodka, strawberry purée, basil and fresh lemonade. Happy hour also features $6 wines by the glass and $5 beers. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504-381-5107, cafenoma.com
Meanwhile, Executive Chef Knut Mjelde is celebrating Ralph’s on the Park’s 20th anniversary with happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. Try the Wagyu smash burger with hand-cut fries, paired with a glass of Daou, Sequentis Reserve Merlot for $20. Featured craft cocktails and wines by the glass are $7, and craft beers are $5. 900 City Park Ave., 504-488-1000, ralphsonthepark.com
Time for Tea
Bar Marilou, located within Maison de la Luz, has introduced Saturday afternoon tea service from 12-4 p.m. The French-inspired experience includes specialty teas, three courses of savory and sweet dishes (such as breads and pastries, sandwiches and desserts), and one glass of Crémant. There’s also a list of specialty cocktails and caviar service available à la carte. 544 Carondelet St., 504-814-7711, barmarilou.com
A Big Welcome
Birdy’s Behind the Bower welcomes Michael Thibodeaux, who has more than a decade of experience, as chef de cuisine. As part of his new position, Thibodeaux has introduced a new weekday lunch menu featuring an array of salads, bowls, boards, toasts, sandwiches and large plates. Birdy also now offers weekend brunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with dishes like strawberry shortcake waffle, pulled pork Benedict and Southern breakfast with pork belly, grits, collard greens, pimento cheese and a sunny-side egg. 1320 Magazine St., 504-302-2992, birdysnola.com
Bastille Day Dinner
Celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) at The Grill Room at The Windsor Court, July 12-14. The three-course dinner includes escargot with herb toast and spring radish; duck with wild mushroom cauliflower risotto, cassis reduction and citrus oil; and apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. 300 Gravier St., 504-522-1994, thewindsorcourt.com
