Eight Hotspots to Try This Weekend

New Orleans' restaurant scene is ever-growing and these are the newest spots in town to try this weekend.  Hit them up while you're out doing your holiday shopping— they're located all over the city, from the Bywater to Metairie.

[Photo: Brasted]

St. James Cheese Company (Warehouse District)

641 Tchoupitoulas, (504) 304-1485

Grab a cheesy sandwich or salad in the new downtown location of St. James Company. This newly opened outpost is a gorgeous space with separate counters for retail cheese buyers and for those ordering food to eat in or take out. Or sidle up to the cheese bar for samples and creative pairings. They also serve a great selection of wines and beers to accompany all the deliciousness.

[Photo: Brasted]

La Boulangerie

4600 Magazine St, (504) 269-3777

While this French bakery has been an Uptown fixture for several years now, it's undergone a transition under new management by the Link Group and reopened after a brief closure. All the delicious breads will stay the same, but the meats for sandwiches will be provided by Donald Link's Cochon Butcher and the bakery is under the talented and watchful eye of Link Group pastry chef Maggie Scales. Also on hand is a new coffee program from local roaster Congregation Coffee.

[Photo: Rivershack/Facebook]

The Rivershack Tavern

714 1st St., Gretna (504) 325-5530

The second location of the River Road boil shack is across the mighty Mississippi in Gretna, with the same menu and a sports bar vibe. Thirty beers on tap, along with plans for an oyster bar and boiled seafood room. With crawfish season starting early, this is definitely the place to be.

[Photo: Brasted]

The Cheezy Cajun

3325 St. Claude Ave., (504)265-0045

The Bywater is home to this new Acadiana meets Wisconsin eatery and deli from the owners of Mona Lisa pizza, featuring a menu of sandwiches from chef Maryjane Rosas along with pot pies, fried cheese curds, cracklins and boudin, charcuterie and more. There's also a full bar with craft cocktails by P.J. Hahnne, take-home Cajun meats and Wisconsin cheeses for purchase.  Hours: Weekdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Closed Wed). Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brasted

[Photo: Brasted]

ROux Carre

On the corner of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard and St. Andrew Street

The much anticipated warren of international food stalls in Central City is finally opening this weekend on November 27 starting at 11am. Hours are 11am-8pm Wed-Sat and 11am-6pm on Sunday. Support small food entrepreneurs and eat delicious food - it's a win-win.

[Photo: Brasted]

Kenton's

5757 Magazine St, (504) 891-1177

The oyster and whiskey temple has opened up its patio and added weekday lunch service so there are even more ways to enjoy this Uptown stunner, but the weekend brunch service is baller and weekend dinner service runs late for the night owls. Brunch: Sat/Sun 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekend Dinner: Fri-Sat 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Sun, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

[Photo: Brasted]

Boulevard American Bistro

4241 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, (504) 889-2301

The newest restaurant from Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, this American comfort food joint is just the place to check out after getting all your Christmas shopping done on Thanksgiving weekend. Open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fri-Sat 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

[Photo: Brasted]

Killer Poboys

219 Dauphine St., (504) 462-2731

The "big" Killer Poboy shop is now open in the French Quarter, so make the most of it during the holiday by bringing along family and friends. Check 'em out Wed-Mon, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, don't forget the bread pudding griddle for your killer hangover.