Welcome to the Friday 5!
Every Friday I will highlight 5 things I am currently loving. This can be anything from habits that are currently serving me, clothes, apps, people I am currently loving, podcasts, food, mom hacks and everything in between!
This week I thought I would highlight my favorite local restaurants. With warmer temperatures and more day light, I feel like we are going out to a eat more frequently and we have a handful we just love! And bonus, I am going to tell you about SIX restaurants because I just couldn’t narrow it down.
In no particular order:
Hambone
If you have not been to Hambone in old Mandeville you are really missing out on a gem of a restaurant. They are in what I assume is an old house and have created an amazing atmosphere that somehow completely matches their food. They have just started serving breakfast 7 days a week and it is a must! Lunch and Brunch on the weekends is what they are really known for. With outdoor picnic tables and a ton of room for your kids to run and play, it’s perfect. But I think the secret here is dinner, we’ve been a handful of times for dinner lately and they aren’t as busy and the kids can run off the rest of their energy for the day. And, they serve the most legit kids meal I’ve seen. The chicken nuggets are huge and delicious. It also comes with fruit and a small mason jar of homemade mac and cheese. I would gladly eat this kids meal. Their specialty cocktails are some of my favorites too. Try the satsuma whisky smash, you’ll love it. Promise.
My Favorites: Gumbo(best in town), Chip and Dip, Fried Chicken, Pickled Shrimp Po’boy, Shrimp Remoulade Blue Wedge
Aki
If you like sushi, you HAVE TO eat at Aki in downtown Covington. If you don’t like sushi, go to Aki in Covington and you will love it. I have traveled all over the country and have had the opportunity to dine at some of the most well-known sushi restaurants and they don’t compare to Aki. It is located on a relatively quiet block in Covington and if you don’t know it’s there, you may drive right past it. They are also in a small little house that’s been converted into a restaurant, with only have a few tables, so make a reservation. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, like your typical sushi restaurant but the food really sets them apart. Their quality and presentation is second to none. If they aren’t too busy, ask them to do chef’s choice. We’ve done this a handful of times and have gotten to try things off menu and other items I would’ve never thought to order. Reservations are almost required to get a spot here. You will not be disappointed.
My favorites: Brussel sprouts, V roll, Rachel Roll, Spicy Tuna Lover and Sexy Roll
Lola
Most people in town know Lola for their Frose, which may or may not have been my saving grace during quarantine. But y’all, Lola’s food is so good. From lunch to dinner you cannot go wrong here, they have daily specials that I want to order every day when I see them posted on Instagram. Their dining room has such a cozy and warm vibe to me and they also have a renovated train that acts as a second dining room for extra seating. They are currently open for lunch, 10;30-2:00, Monday thru Friday with dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays. Be sure to have a reservation if you are wanting to have dinner here. Matt has dubbed their burger as the “best in town.” I once forgot to grab our leftovers when we were leaving and he will never let me forget it. During quarantine I ordered a couple pans of their lasagna to have in the freezer and it is THE BEST I’ve ever had. If you are having a family gathering or just have a lot of mouths to feed, order this, no one will go hungry. They also sell the most beautiful party cakes if you have a special occasion, they are truly show stoppers. Come Mardi Gras, don’t miss their Ooey Gooey Bourbon King Cake. This is an excellent spot for a lunch meeting, lunch with girlfriend and an even better date night spot.
My favorites: Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Cheese Board, House Smoked Yellowfin Tuna Dip, Lola Double Double and Wild Mushroom Risotto
Meribo
Someone asked me recently if Meribo was an Italian restaurant and I answered with, “I guess, but not like normal Italian you get in New Orleans, it’s like amazing Italian.” Meribo is also in downtown Covington, they have a fun atmosphere with wood fire pizza oven in the dining room and a painting by my favorite local artist Marianne Angeli Rodriguez. They have recently expanded their outdoor dining with plenty of extra seating. Make sure you have a reservation here too if you are going for dinner, we went a few weeks ago on a Friday night and people were waiting over an hour for a table. Now, the pizza. It’s so good. If you want pizza, order from them and go pick it up, they will bring it right out to the car. They even have happy hour on Wednesday’s all day with $7 pizzas, I could do this every week. They also have a Sunday Brunch that I am dying to try, it looks amazing! The rest of the menu is amazing, next on my list to try is the burger and hot chicken sandwich. Make sure to check the specials too, we’ve gotten some killer fried oysters and shrimp pizza that was to die for!
My favorites: Whipped Ricotta, Crispy Brussels, Skillet Bread, Shrooms Pizza, The Vinne Pizza and Margherita Pizza
Oxlot 9
Oxlot 9 is another one that if you haven’t been, you are really missing out on something special. Located in the Southern hotel, Oxlot is the perfect pair to the Cypress Bar where you can have pre-dinner cocktails or the perfect nightcap after dinner. I just love the feel of Oxlot the moment you walk in, they have an open kitchen in the one room dining area where you can feel the pulse of the kitchen and the fun of the food. The menu is a new take on Gulf South food. They have a small bar that produces some of the better cocktails I’ve had. They are open for lunch and dinner Monday thru Saturday, with brunch on Sunday. I am dying to get there for a Sunday brunch, I literally want one of everything from the brunch menu. Be sure to make a reservation, as tables fill up fast for dinner.
My Favorites: Raw Oysters, Fried Frog Legs (read buffalo wings, seriously so good), Southern Cheese Plate, Steamed Mussels and Frites, Seared Mahi, Pan Fried Stuffed Rabbit and Filet Mignon
Tchefuncte’s
Y’all, if you want a special date night or birthday or just need a night out, go to Tchefuncte’s. Tchefuncte’s is located in the old Friends building in Madisonville and has some of the best views of the river you can get. The dining room is split into several areas with booths, tables and an expansive wine cellar. When you exit the elevator on the restaurant level you are greeted by an impressive view of the kitchen. They are fully exposed in every step of preparing your food and we love to sit at the Chef’s table to watch the magic happen. If you can get a seat there, I highly recommend it, you will get to talk to the Chef’s and even get a few extra tastes of food. By the amount of steak options on the menu, I feel like I should describe this as a steakhouse, but it just feels like that would be selling them short. The menu has something for everybody, with seafood, steak, pasta and more. We have been recently and ordered just small plates. The bar is quiet impressive, with ample seating and views of the river. They have Happy Hour on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-7:30 and 50% off of a bottle of wine (under $100) on Tuesdays as well. This is definitely a restaurant for a special occasion, even though we’ve made a habit of going here for just a random date night. In my opinion, there is nothing like this on the Northshore. The redesign of the old Friends building is really something to see.
My Favorites: Turtle Soup(best I’ve had), BBQ Shrimp and Chive Biscuit, Slow Roasted Soy Soake Kurobuta Pork Belly, Filet, Hawaiian Ribeye, Chilean Sea Bass
I hope you found something helpful or inspiring in this week’s Friday Five! I’ll have 5 new favorites to share with you next week, have an awesome weekend!
