Growling stomachs can hamper stealth operations, spoil belly dances, and, in extreme cases, induce dogs to attack. Quiet whimpering tummy tones with today's Groupon for contemporary Creole cuisine at Atchafalaya, located in the Upper Garden District. Choose between two options:

• For $30, you get $60 worth of fare during dinner.
• For $10, you get $20 worth of fare during lunch, brunch, or dinner.

Atchafalaya cooks up classical Creole comestibles for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Start a meal with modernized appetizers such as the citrusy ceviche of the day, happily married to an enticing trio of avocado, tomato, and tostada ($9). Larger appetites will appreciate the eatery's plentiful dinnertime platters, such as the mint and parsley lamb loin, served alongside creamy sun-dried tomato grits ($28), or the signature pasta Atchafalaya, with a hefty sprinkling of crawfish, duck, shrimp, and tasso floating atop a creamy sea of fettuccine ($18). Lunchtime dining affords on-the-go stomachs with lighter fare, such as the goat-cheese and mango-invaded jerk-chicken salad ($12), while the weekend brunches populate plates with delectable items such as bananas-foster french toast ($11) and fresh-crab omelettes ($14).

Atchafalaya's local crowd embodies this small-town establishment, exuding an unpretentious atmosphere with a backdrop of local artwork, hanging lights, and decorative mirrors.

Reviews

Ninety Yelpers and 19 Citysearchers give Atchafalaya a four-star average. TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl-eyes.

• We went here for date night, it was excellent. Atmosphere was very cozy, we loved the live music. – Julia N., Yelp, 2/1/11
• An attentive server, pleasant surroundings and well prepared and presented meals. – skateboardhandle, TripAdvisor