3 Best American Cities for Foodies with a Pescetarian Bend

Foodies come in all varieties, but for the serious seafood connoisseur there are a limited number of venues that eclipse all others. Whether it is shellfish, fish or the skillful combination of frutti di mare with herbs, veggies and spices, only three locales will do.

New Orleans

Nestling against the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a hotbed for all things pescetarian. Creole, Cajun and French influences meet up with Cuban schools of cooking. Served as po' boys, etouffees or gumbos, it is clear that the best U.S. city for seafood-loving foodies is New Orleans. Restaurants that underscore this claim abound.

Take for example Casamento's Restaurant. It lacks a pretentious attitude; instead, it features an atmosphere that appeals to the local clientele and the outsider who is smart enough to follow his nose to the oyster loaf. Another place to check out is Drago's Seafood Restaurant. Maine lobster, au gratin-style crab meat, fried catfish and BBQ shrimp po' boys are just some of the goodies you might want to order up.

Louisville

Home of the Kentucky Derby and nowhere near the ocean, landlubbers have a hard time connecting Louisville with seafood delights. Sure, there is the Ohio River, but surely this cannot qualify the city as a hot spot for pescetarian foodies -- or can it?

Z's Oysterbar & Steakhouse is a hallmark of fine seafood dining in the area. Specialties include clam chowder, smoked salmon, oysters and whatever the catch of the day might be, which the chef picks up at the airport. Another venue to check out is the Bonefish Grill. It serves a combination of coconut shrimp with ginger that must be tasted to be believed.

Monterey

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a locale you would usually associate with live fish, but once a year the venue hosts a three-day event that focuses on sustainable food choices. Fish is a big deal in this coastal city and the "Cooking for Solutions" event highlights how to enjoy seafood safely and with an environmental consciousness. Celebrity chefs are on hand to provide cooking demonstration while local restaurants provide gourmet meals to attendees.

Given the proximity to the ocean, it is only natural that fish restaurants are plentiful in the area, especially around Fisherman's Wharf. Case in point is the Abalonetti Seafood Restaurant, which is a veritable Mecca for seafood lovers with a yen for calamari. Other menu items include fresh abalone, Dungeness crabs, ahi tuna and sand dabs. No wonder Monterey is one of the best American cities for foodies with a pescetarian bend!

Establishment Information

Casamento's Restaurant

4330 Magazine Street in New Orleans, 70115

(504) 895-9761

Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drago's Seafood Restaurant

2 Poydras Street in New Orleans, 70130

(504) 584-3911

Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Z's Oysterbar & Steakhouse

101 Whittington Parkway in Louisville, 40222

(502) 429-8000

Open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner is served daily from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. (on Sundays), 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays

Bonefish Grill

657 South Hurstbourne Parkway, Louisville 40222
(502) 412-4666

Open daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday)

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Cooking for Solutions

886 Cannery Row, Monterey 93940

(831) 648-4800

Hours vary by event

Abalonetti Seafood Restaurant

57 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey 93940
(831) 373-1851

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.