Pasta For Hipsters & Squares; Pagoda's Teacher Freebies

ST. CLAUDE AVE— Todd Price on housemade pasta specialists Arabella Casa di Pasta this week: "A build-your-own pasta restaurant attached to a Marigny dive bar known for its karaoke nights? You'd be forgiven for assuming a forcefield of hipster irony encircles the place. But Arabella Casa di Pasta... has a bootstrapped, easy-going charm that embraces everyone, no matter how hip or square." [NOLA.com]

SEVENTH WARD— Jeannie Riess reports that Pagoda Cafe is giving away tea, coffee, and cold drinks to teachers/school employees this week (until Sunday) with the purchase of food. [Gambit]

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT— Will Coviello reports that wine bar W.I.N.O. will host Blue Oak BBQ (Chickie Wah Wah pop up) this Thursday, August 28. Blue Oak will sling pork sliders with sesame ginger slaw. [Gambit]