FASTING & FOOD

Where to Find Halal Bites in Greater New Orleans During Ramadan

By Burke Bischoff

While maybe not as visible as other communities in Greater New Orleans, there are definitely noticeable signs that there are followers of Islam within the area, such as the Masjid Omar Mosque in Harvey and the Masjid Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Mosque/Jefferson Muslim Association Center in Kenner. And there’s no doubt that they are preparing for a very important holiday that begins near the end of March—the month of Ramadan.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which will take place this year from March 22 to April 20, the month of Ramadan is a very important time for practicing Muslims because it is believed that is when God (or Allah) revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad. During this month, according to Jane I. Smith’s Islam in America, all able-bodied Muslims of a certain age are obligated to refrain from eating and drinking—as well as smoking, lying, having intercourse, and using foul language—every day during daylight hours as a form of physical and spiritual prayer. Only either before dawn or after sunset are Muslims allowed to partake in food that is halal, or “lawful,” under Islamic dietary laws, such as cud-chewing animals including cattle, lamb, and goat that are properly slaughtered. There are actually quite a few restaurants in the Greater New Orleans area that specifically serve halal food, so local Muslims are able to get through the month of Ramadan with some ease. And just because these restaurants serve halal food doesn’t mean non-Muslims can’t go and enjoy them for themselves. These places in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes offer truly delicious food that everyone can enjoy. So if you’re a practicing Muslim looking for dinner or a non-Muslim who wants to show some solidarity with the local community, these are some really great places you can go to for a late night bite.

In New Orleans proper, Lebanon’s Café is an absolute must visit for anyone looking for great tasting Mediterranean food in the Crescent City. Located at 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., Lebanon’s is one of the highest rated Middle Eastern eateries in the city and serves Lebanese classics such as kibbeh (a deep-fried snack filled with ground beef and pine nuts), tabouleh salad, and baba ghanoush (eggplant dip). Other plates from the restaurant’s extensive menu include kabobs, shawarma, and Lebanon’s Café’s very famous rosemary lamb chops.

If you’d like to get quick and delicious Middle Eastern food, make sure to hit up Shawarma on The Go. Located at 3720 Magazine St., Shawarma on The Go offers traditional Mediterranean fare including falafel wrap with tahini and hummus, labneh (yogurt dip), and Iraqi lula kabob, which can either be served with chicken or a beef and lamb mixture. If you’re not in the mood for Middle Eastern dishes, Shawarma on The Go has you covered with selections of different sandwiches such as Philly cheese steak, burgers, and fried seafood platters.

For a restaurant that has a somewhat familiar yet unique approach to it, definitely make sure to check out Anatolia Mediterranean Cuisine at 3100 Magazine St. While serving traditional Middle Eastern plates including shawarma and hummus, the restaurant sets itself apart from the rest by serving traditional Turkish cuisine as well. Order the restaurant’s delicious hot Turkish tea and expand your horizon with plates such as the beyti kabab topped with tomato sauce and yogurt, the adana kabob (made from lamb), and acili ezme (a spicy dip). Finishing your meal off with Turkish coffee and baklava is highly recommended.

For anyone willing to travel to the Westbank, there are a good number of halal spots on that side of the river as well. One of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the entire Westbank is definitely Cleopatra Mediterranean Cuisine, located at 2701 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey. Baked pita bread with olive oil, balsamic oil, and za’atar spice, as well as a plate of pickled vegetables, are complimentary appetizers there and all entrees come with your choice of salad or lentil soup. The filet mignon kabob, the sayadieh samak (fish and rice), and the gyro plate are all absolutely fantastic.

If you’re really hungry but don’t want to wait around for your food for too long, then make sure to stop at Sultan’s Shawarma Shack at 444 Lapalco Blvd. in Gretna. There, you can order shawarma, gyro, and falafel wraps and subs, as well as bowls that come with hummus, salad, rice, and pita bread. For something a little different, try the chicken/beef shawarma wrapped in saj (unleavened flatbread) or the feta cheese fries. Shawarma Shack also has a “limonana” drink, which is a frozen mint lemonade.

Not too far from Sultan’s Shawarma Shack is also Sahara Café, located on 401 Realty Dr. in Gretna. The restaurant serves all of the typical fare that is to be expected including falafel, shawarma, gyro, and kabobs and it all tastes great. The musabaha (hummus with whole cooked chick peas and jalapenos) and the foul mudammas (fava bean dip) are both interesting appetizers that should be experienced. The restaurant also has unique desserts such as nammura (semolina cake) and ma’amoul (date and pistachio filled cookies).

Just because the month of Ramadan is meant as a time of fasting doesn’t mean you can’t go out and enjoy some great tasting halal food. When the sun sets, these restaurants on both sides of the Mississippi River will be there to fill your empty stomach.

There is a house in New Orleans . . . Okay, it's not that kind of house—in fact, it's a brand new breakfast/ lunch spot called Rising Sun located inside the Margaret Place Hotel. Featuring “health-conscious American dishes” and specialty coffee drinks using beans sourced from a rotating menu of local roasters such as @prettycoffeeroasters and Mammoth. Several dishes may pique your interest, including the beer-braised pork shoulder hash with gremolata and romesco, the ginger “chew” cookie made with molasses, and their breakfast sandwich made with eggs, pimento cheese, and andouille on toasted brioche.

1133 Margaret Pl., (504)-264-6045, margaretplacehotel.com/restaurant

Going down the bayou . . . Addis NOLA has pulled up stakes and moved just off Broad to the point of a triangular spit of land between Bayou Road and Desoto Street. The folks at Addis have taken the building which once housed Cajun King, and made it their own with bright beautiful décor both inside and out. Fans will enjoy the same great menu featuring savory dishes of doro wot, veggie sambusas, and Addis' stellar mar mitmita shrimp.

2514 Bayou Rd., (504)218-5321, addisnola.com

From the burbs . . . Wife and husband team Shirley and Tang Lee sold their longtime digs Royal China in Metairie and have moved Uptown. Now open on Magazine Street in the former Jung's Golden Dragon II, Miss Shirley's Chinese Restaurant is just what the surrounding neighborhood was looking for. Featuring Chinese-American and Cantonese cuisine, Shirley's menu mostly offers what is always a huge draw—tons of dim

By Kim Ranjbar

sum. The list ranges from crabmeat wontons and dumplings to seared pork buns and fried shrimp toast, and that’s only scratching the surface.

3009 Magazine St., (504)354-2530, missshirleyschineserestaurant.com

Maw-who? MaMou . . . Chef Tom Branighan and sommelier Molly Wismeier launched their longawaited, modern French brasserie MaMou a few months ago. Located on Rampart Street, in the space formerly occupied by LeBlanc + Smith's Meauxbar, MaMou is the French Quarter's newest Creole French spot competing, or complementing, the neighborhood's grand dames. Serving dinner Thursday through Sunday, the corner restaurant offers dishes such as braised celery hearts with smoked beef tongue, red bean cassoulet, gulf fish court-bouillon, and lemon madeleines with crème anglaise.

924 N. Rampart St., (504) 381-4557, mamounola.com

Get a new taste . . . Known both locally and nationally for his West African food pop-up, Beard-nominated “Best Emerging” Chef Seringe Mbaye has finally settled down with his recently opened Dakar NOLA on Magazine Street. Located in the space that formerly houses Pho Cam Ly, the Senegalese restaurant is now serving a seven-course tasting menu weekly. Though he was born in the U.S., Mbaye lived in Senegal for most of his youth to attend boarding school while learning to cook at his mother's side. “Tradition is at the core of everything we do at Dakar NOLA,”

Chef Serigne. “And it’s a place where every dish tells a story and nurtures the soul.” Following graduation from culinary school, he gained experience from the three Michelin Star Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and the two Michelin Star L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in New York. 3814 Magazine St., dakarnola.com

As sure as eggs . . . Uptown residents were bummed when the ever popular Toast (by Cara & Evan Benson) closed its Laurel Street doors, but breakfast is back, baby. Though some might deem it odd to close a great breakfast spot only to open another in its place, only time and taste-buds will tell if Scrambled will see the same level of success. The menu is a mashup of healthy eats and, well, not so healthy eats from a scrambled tofu bowl with veggie sausage and avocado to the breakfast burger—a “scrambled” patty (are we talking ground beef and eggs?) with bacon, arugula, pickles, and Swiss, served on a glazed donut. 5433 Laurel St., (504) 427-2277, scramblednola.com

Get to the point . . . Industry vets A.J. McAlear (GM and sommelier from Antoine's) and Freddy Augustin (former chef of Atchafalaya) have come together to open Tonti's Hand, a brand new French bistro across the river in historic Algiers Point. The quaint neighborhood restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating and serves French favorites such as salad niçoise, escargots de Bourgogne, roasted rosemary chicken with haricot verts, and croque monsier (or madame). Tonti's Hand is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday. 323 Verret St., (504)264-7973, tontishand.com

Aye, aye Captain! . . . Ahoy, me mateys. There's a new captain aboard, so all hands on deck to raise a clap of thunder. All yo hoho-ing aside, the Warehouse District restaurant Seaworthy has tapped James Whitehead as its new executive chef. Whitehead brings an international slant with dishes including whole lobster with crispy noodles, while maintaining the restaurant's roots in the American South. So weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen. There be golden fried fish to be found. 630 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3071, seaworthynola.com

'Que the devil? . . . Chef Shannon Bingham, founder of Emmylou's BBQ and Buttermilk, is now leading the kitchen at the new Devil Moon BBQ (launched three days after Mardi Gras), featuring “Cajun dishes in tandem with iconic barbecue meats and sides.” Located in The Odeon, a mixed-use residential and commercial building on the corner of Loyola and Girod, this South Market District 'que joint offers everything from pork spare ribs and sausages, to boudin—and there's an adjoining brewery to boot. Well, there will be a brewery as Brewery Saint X is slated to open this month.

1100 Girod St., devilmoonbbq.com