Warehouse District & Center City

Cochon fills a niche that, in New Orleans, went begging for attention for decades. Inspired by the many small butcher shops found throughout in Cajun country (but rare in the New Orleans area), it cures and smokes its own meats and sausages. With that resource Cochon creates a unique menu. It's related to but different from barbecue. This is home-style Cajun cooking, but the kind made from smoky-cured meats. There are seafood dishes, but they're in the minority on the menu. The result is convincingly Cajun and distinctive, if not memorable.

Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd

Esplanade Ridge

In New Orleans we have no shortage of Mediterranean restaurants, but in recent years a decline in overall quality has afflicted the category. At the same time, the opening of Shaya by Alon Shaya and John Besh demonstrated the possibilities in the food of the Middle East. Meanwhile, there was this food truck serving Middle Eastern food, almost all of it vegetarian. It found a permanent spot last year, and began extending their menu to include seafood, chicken and lamb--although the vegetarian aspect offers plenty of meatless choices.