Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published January 9, 2009 Former Location Of Sal and Sam's, In Metairie Michael Uddo Opens Mike's American Grill After a weekend of private parties, Mike's American Grill opened Tuesday, January 6--the first day of Carnival season, which  should be a good omen. Michael Uddo, the owner and (I assume) the chef, says that the idea will be to have a moderately-priced, casual restaurant positioned right between Zea and Houston's. He means that both in the culinary sense and in the location. The menu is very straightforward, featuring steaks, hamburgers, grilled fish, and a handful of other entrees. More sandwiches appear on the lunch menu. The first courses are also familiar: Caesar and blue-cheese wedge salads, fried calamari, grilled oysters, and crab cakes. They have a brunch on weekends, too. The wine list is more ambitious than one might expect, offering half-glasses and wine flights for those who prefer more than one wine in a meal. Michael Uddo is the most interesting aspect of  the new restaurant, though. He came to our attention as chef of Bouligny, one of the early Uptown bistros. (It was in the same 1983 class with Clancy's, Upperline, and Gautreau's.) He really made a name for himself, though, when he opened the G&E Courtyard Grill on Decatur Street in the 1990s. That was a superb eatery with an utterly unique style. Only a dramatic increase in rent ended its brilliant career. Since then, Mike Uddo has made the rounds both here and in other cities. After the hurricane, he fetched up in Atlanta, where he managed a couple of restaurants before his family wanted to return to New Orleans. The restaurant took over the space that has been Ardoise, a restaurant opened about a year ago that never got off the ground. It's better known, however, as the long-time Suburban Creole restaurant Sal and Sam's. That place had such a loyal (but aging) customer base that Ardoise constantly had to explain that it wasn't the same restaurant. Mike has performed a stunning renovation on the worn-out old establishment. My wife and daughter went there against my orders Thursday and reported on fresh-cut French fries, excellent onion rings, and a first-class hamburger. Mike's American Grill. Metairie: 4300 Veterans Blvd.. 504-885-5566. American. © 2009 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com