Two Beans for Munch Factory, McNulty on Stein's, More

Don't listen to the rumors, Brett Anderson is still at the Times-Pic (for now at least), giving two beans to the Munch Factory in Gentilly. Run by CIA-trained Jordan Ruiz and his wife, Alexis, the Munch Factory has good food in "a nondescript building whose renovated interior suggests what a suburban father's man cave might look like if it were converted into a bistro." Which honestly sounds kind of nice, in an I Love You, Man-meets-Food Network kind of way. But back to that food:

Jordan Ruiz is less interested in showing off fancy chef skills?his resume includes stints at Ralph's on the Park and the old Commander's Palace in Las Vegas?than in satisfying the appetites of a clientele that both he and his wife appear to understand. [TP]

Not to be outdone, Ian McNulty reviewed Stein's Deli in this week's Gambit, saying it was designed to be "a hybrid Jewish/Italian deli where the focus was supposed to be meats and specialty groceries," but that eager customers rightfully guided its transition into a lunch destination. [Gambit]

In CityBusiness, Tom Fitzmorris hangs out at the new Covington location of The Chimes, the 28 year old Baton Rouge-based sports bar. Fitzmorris says the restaurant is a "striking, rustic complex" featuring "the familiar Southeast Louisiana casual cuisine," with oysters that are a "major draw" (i.e. they're good). It's quaintly situated on the Bogue Falaya river, making it feel like it's in the middle of nowhere. [CB]

And finally, in Go NOLA, Will Woldenberg calls the oysters at Casamento's Restaurant the best in town: "It doesn’t take long to find what distinguishes Casamento’s from other New Orleans restaurants. It’s simply the oysters. Great moons of Jupiter, those raw oysters are so plump and tender, the shells still cold from the ice they rested in before getting shucked." That's the best line from a review, ever. [Go NOLA]

And in the blogs:

Robert Peyton in his Haute Plates blog went to Merchant, the CBD café that is unfortunately still waiting on its liquor license?which Peyton says will make the already-good shop "exponentially better." Bites and Booze recalled the experience at Baton Rouge's Hotel Indigo, writing, " I enjoyed the entire meal." And the Foodographer has mouth-watering images to go with a description of Southern Candy Makers.

· All Weeks in Reviews on Eater NOLA [-ENOLA-]

[Photo of Casamento's: flickr / miamism]

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Merchant

800 Common Street, , LA 70112 (504) 571-9580 Visit Website

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Casamento's

4330 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 504 895 9761

The Munch Factory

5339 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA