2 Best Restaurants in New Orleans, Louisiana

Need a break from the bounties of the sea prevalent in New Orleans restaurants? Book a table at chef Adolfo Garcia's classic Argentine steak house, where wine and meat are simple but satisfying priorities. While most steak houses are clubby, masculine, and hard on the wallet, this Warehouse District eatery feels more like a party. The kitchen coaxes flavor from less expensive cuts, like flank and hanger steaks. Sides include empanadas, thick rounds of provolone grilled and sprinkled with oregano, and homemade pasta, a nod to Argentina's large Italian population. After dinner at La Boca, you'll walk outside and be surprised to discover that you're not in Buenos Aires.

At Palm & Pine, the cocktails are strong and the vibe is young and local. A rotation of southern and Latin American-inspired plates---with seasonal ingredients from local purveyors---come out of the open kitchen, and even simple dishes are impressive, like the P&P salad with local lettuce, dressed in a house-made Worcestershire sauce. The chef-owner team was James Beard (Best Chef South) semifinalists two years in a row. The kitchen is open until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.