Head To Fharmacy For Insanely Hot Chicken Wings

This week Helen Freund reviews Mid City snacking spot Fharmacy: “The restaurant's name implies a tongue-in-cheek reference to the nearby hospital complex” as do many of Namese alum/chef Nhat Nguyen’s dishes. Fries can be amped up to “pharmaceutical grade,” and in the case of the hot wings, an Emergency Room sauce feature cayenne pepper and ghost chilies, whereas the ‘ICU’ version has North Carolina Reaper peppers. Burgers, creative bar snacks, and Asian twists (hello, Vietnamese sausage sandwich) make this a top lunch destination for the budding Medical District. [Gambit]

Tom Fitzmorris doles out FOUR STARS to “one of the handsomest restaurants in the city,” Broussard’s: “Chef Neal Swidler seems not only to be well in control, but also has a firm grasp of classic Creole-French and contemporary Louisiana flavors. It’s just hip enough to attract younger diners,” but not hip enough to garner any Hipness Points. Essential dishes include duc a l’orange and shrimp toast, but T-Fitz suggests a parking solution because “having to walk three blocks keeps many locals from coming.” Oh, the horror. [CityBiz]

Kristine Froeba visits new Garden District trattoria Altamura: Housed in the Magnolia Mansion, the new restaurant from ManhattanJack’s Jack Petronella and Coleman Jernigan “is an irresistible combination of soaring Corinthian columns, ancient oaks towering over equally ancient iron gates, craft cocktails, a piano bar” and great Osso Buco. Speidini Mozzarella— “pan-fried thick house bread with Mozzarella and topped with an Anchovy-Lemon Caper Sauce”— is a must order as is the Grapefruit Smash cocktail. [UptownMessenger]

• Review: Fharmacy in Mid City [Gambit]
• New Chef Elevates Consistency at Broussard’s [CityBiz, subscription required]
• Kristine Froeba: Altamura Authentic Italian Trattoria: The Rat Pack meets Antebellum New Orleans [UptownMessenger]