To gate keep or not to gate keep? That is the question. Here at the newspaper, we're in the business of sharing.Ìý
When someone finds a tasty, fun or reliable restaurant in the city, some may wish to keep it quiet, out of fear that crowds will infiltrate the "secret spot" and tarnish its sheen.
We get it, but sharing is caring. There are tucked-away spots that offer mouth-watering food and hospitable service.Ìý
In our first installment of "Nooks and Crannies," we're featuring five spots that delight many who already know their charms. If you want to share your favorite hidden gem, email lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.com.Ìý
Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar
7000 Bluebonnet Blvd., Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼
Inside the Renaissance Hotel is a true gem — they even say so on the hotel's website.
Jason Hebert, executive chef at Renaissance Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Hotel and Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar.
Under chef Jason Hebert, Tallulah serves up reimagined Louisiana cuisine and house-crafted menu items like bacon and duck confit, crab cakes, crawfish and asparagus soup, bone-in short rib, chargrilled oysters and more. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the upscale restaurant includes an outdoor terrace, private dining and live music Thursday and Friday nights.
Tallulah's wine bar has an Enomatic wine serving system, handmade in Italy, which preserves open bottles of wine and serves them in a controlled environment. Check it out for yourself.Ìý
Maison Lacour French Restaurant
11025 N. Harrells Ferry Road, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼Â
Maison Lacour flourishes out of a love story.
When chef Michael Jetty started an apprenticeship at the restaurant, he studied under chef Jacqueline Greaud, who owned the cottage restaurant with her husband, John. The Greaud's daughter, Eva, was the hostess.
You can see where this is going.
Jetty and Eva Greaud dated, fell in love and got married. The two now operate the French restaurant based on the idea that food and dining should be an experience.
Open in 1986, Maison Lacour serves traditional French cuisine: flounder en papillote (a flounder filet with crab and light cream sauce baked in parchment paper) — or cailles, two quail stuffed with pork and wild mushrooms, baked, and served with Madeira sauce.
The restaurant is only open for dinner, and seating is limited. Text (225) 333-7533 for reservation requests.
Monjunis Italian Cafe & Grocery
711 Jefferson Highway, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼
Monjunis' lunch special — Caesar salad and a half meatball poboy
Yes, it's a standby for many, but Monjunis is tucked in the corner near Brew Ha-Ha! on Jefferson Highway. The delightful, cozy old-school Italian restaurant was constructed in the early 1920s. Back then, it was The Jay Hawk Cafe.
Today, the charming restaurant offers spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, shrimp fettuccine alfredo, giant muffalettos, Italian po-boys, caprese salad, frozen Italian margaritas and more. The restaurant's signature sweet sauce is loved by legions and too sweet for others. Either way, we recommend giving the restaurant a try!
Dine in the restaurant. Sit outside in the courtyard or order to-go. You can even shop the online store and find the recipe for "Monjunis Muffuletta."
The food, the service and the camaraderie of the patrons and staff have made French Market Bistro a popular spot to eat on Highland Road.
French Market Bistro
16645 Highland Road, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼Â
Situated next to the interior store Elements on the long stretch of Highland Road is French Market Bistro. The restaurant has been family-owned and operated since 1996.
French Market Bistro has a small wine-tasting room.Ìý
Its menu includes soups, salads, pizza, oysters, seafood, pasta and more. Many say that the chargrilled oysters, specifically, are not to be missed.
The wine list includes more than 250 selections by the bottle. The restaurant also serves a variety of beers, scotches and liqueurs — and recently debuted a pistachio martini.
Thai Pepper
5958 Florida Blvd., Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼
In a pink building on Florida Boulevard, you'd think Thai Pepper wouldn't be hard to miss. However, don't drive by too fast or you will.Ìý
The menu offers dishes with fresh ingredients — wonton soup, Thai papaya salad, various curries, Tom Yum chicken, Thai iced coffee, tapioca and other Thai dishes.  Some fan favorites include the chicken fried rice, spring rolls and chicken larb.Ìý
ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY Matt Sigur -- Thai Pepper is located at 5959 Florida Boulevard in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÍ¿ª½±ÀúÊ·¼Ç¼.
Out back, the owner has a small garden where many of the ingredients are picked right before they're served.Ìý
