Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published February 23, 2006 Click here for the current edition Last-Minute Pre-Mardi Gras Reopenings Sapporo. The good and large sushi bar on West Esplanade in Metairie is back in business. They've also begun doing some Japanese hibachi-style food at the table since last time I was there. 3544 W. Esplanade Ave., 779-9288. Hymel's In Convent. I'm not sure when they got it open--it may have been some time ago--but I just learned that this terrific, old-style seafood restaurant right on the levee in the middle of the sugar plantation in St. James Parish is back in business again. It's just up the road from Manresa. 8740 Hwy 44, 225-562-9910. Pizza Florence. This was still new when the hurricane shut it down, a well-above-average pizza and Italian restaurant on Veterans across from the Clearview Mall. 4445 Veterans Blvd., 888-7888. Li'l Dizzy's. Wayne Baquet, son of the famous Eddie of the long-gone, classic soul food restaurant on Law Street, and former owner of Zachary's on Oak Street, is back in business again at this fine breakfast, lunch, and dinner place in the Treme section. He has the buffet going with the fried chicken, gumbo, red beans, and sausage, and the breakfasts are terrific. 1500 Esplanade Ave., 569-8997. Texas Barbecue Company. It's the successor to Harold's Texas Barbecue, owned by the late Harold Veazey's son. Harold's was the first serious barbecue restaurant in New Orleans, and before barbecue became cool here the old man smoked great briskets and made a first-class sauce for decades, starting in the 1950s. It's back here, across the street from Corky's. The New Orleans East location is still not open. 3320 Houma Blvd., 456-2832. © 2006 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com