Oscar's

Half restaurant and half neighborhood watering hole for twenty- to fortysomething middle-class Metairites. About a dozen tables accommodate dining patrons in the dark murmur of the space's left side. Off to the right, a jukebox sings pop classics across a long recreation area: Dart boards line the nearby wall while three pool tables handle the action at the back. A narrow horseshoe of a bar connects the rooms; Marilyn Monroe memorabilia shares wallspace in both areas with TVs and neon beer signs.

Less typical "bar food" than expected. Instead of fried appetizers, Oscar's serves a decent spinach dip and unremarkable chips and salsa. Basic sandwiches dominate the small menu, but the house version of the muffaletta--served on French bread--stands out. The real draw, however, is Oscar's half-pound burger: hefty, chargrilled and served with a baked potato. It's one of the best in town.