LA Bar

Don't expect California slickness here: LA Bar is named for Lake Arthur, Louisiana, the hometown of Joan Benoit Mandola, the matriarch of this particular branch of the sprawling restaurateur family. The space has a relaxed yet refined vibe, with exposed brick wainscoting, chandeliers that compete with neon beer signs and a 30-foot bar for both serving drinks and shucking oysters. Just over half the LA Bar menu is comprised of Ragin' Cajun favorites (the two concepts share an expanded and updated kitchen) with the addition of new grilled entrees like pan-seared salmon with orange ver blanc, pork chops with pineapple bourbon sauce, barbecued shrimp and some new steak and pasta options, plus homemade tres leches and beignets.

Do not, I repeat, do not come here without ordering the phenomenal chargrilled oysters, spiked with a spicy lemon garlic butter and stuffed with grated pecorino romano and parmesan cheese.