Restaurants in Gardere

When Shakespeare imagined a den of witches, he saw them gathered around boiling pots, cackling and talking, casting raw morsels into their cauldrons from the ends of long, sharp sticks. Time revealed his vision to belong to something far less sinister: the bard simply foresaw the fondue restaurant. Today, hundreds of people gather at The Melting Pot’s more than 140 North American locations to cast romantic spells over one another as they share sweets, breads, vegetables, and meats doused in liquid chocolate, melted cheese, or flavored oil. They all wield double-pronged spears—or fondue forks—to suspend the tasty morsels of their choice in the ambrosial liquids before them, which are cleverly heated by stovetops built into each and every table in The Melting Pot's restaurants. The chefs prepare most platters in sizes best shared by two, making the venue ideal for date nights or reunions with twins who left 10 years ago to study the art of fondue.

At The Melting Pot of Baton Rouge, staffers use the restaurant to invest in their community as well. They host charity events, school fundraisers, and even run a program to reward straight-A students with a free fondue dinner.

At Wasaki Asian Fusion Sushi & Hibachi, chefs perform acrobatic fiery feats at tableside hibachi grills, carefully wrap sushi rolls, and skillfully throw spices on noodles and pan-Asian dishes using their nondominant hands. In the dining area, the tableside hibachi grills showcase the skills of staffers as they flip and sizzle meat and veggies in front of mesmerized eaters. Though many of the eatery's dishes contain meat, the menu also houses an array of entrees with tofu and vegetables, perfect for assembling colorful dioramas of the rainforest.

Taste the face-melting guitar solos a single sushi on Ace's menu can pull off with one grain of rice tied behind its back. Octopus nigiri ($3.50), scallop sashimi ($8.50), and chicken teriykai skewers ($7.80) crescendo appetites into the main course. Try Ace's signature mango lobster specialty roll with cilantro, spicy mayo, and macadamia nuts ($9). Creative rolls such as the Scorpion (crunchy rock shrimp, scallop, and caramelized pecans wrapped with mango and avocado, $11.50) and the Ozzy (tempura shrimp wrapped with crab, avocado, jalapenos, tobiko, and spicy mayo, $12.50) along with more traditional tastes such as a California roll ($5.25) and dragon roll ($13.50) satisfy any sushi ace.

Established by two brothers in 1994, El Magey feeds the masses with family recipes every day. After warming up with complimentary tortilla chips and salsa, bellies fill up on entrees from a menu of authentic Mexican and Latin American fare. Seasoned grilled skirt steak, grilled shrimp, tilapia, and crawfish star in some of the eatery's specialties supported by a cast of homemade guacamole, pico de gallo, and mole-covered backup singers. A buffet emits swirls of savory aromas, with specialty items starring on Friday seafood nights and Wednesday kids' night buffets. Homemade desserts seal each meal's deal, tickling taste buds with in-house-crafted flan and tres leches cakes as sweet and smooth as a kindergartner's pickup lines.

Next to the lush green Brec Meadow Park, La Reyna fits right in among the shops and restaurants located along Perkins Road. Setting it apart from its neighbors, though, is a menu of authentic Latin American fare, which boasts flavorful dishes from throughout Central America and focuses on Honduran cuisine. Diners are can sample Honduran-style enchiladas, paella, and a cornmeal pancake stuffed with ground pork cracklings, know as a papusa. Maggie Heyn Richardson, a food critic for 225 wrote, "The fish tacos, as Plain Jane as they appear, are outstanding," and also recommended the tajadas de platano, a plate of grilled fish over fried plantains. After a filling meal, quack-fluent guests can stroll the park and stop by the pond to make the ducks jealous with tales of the feast.