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Are you being Koi?

Koi Japanese Cuisine

Tucked next to Louie’s Café, Koi Japanese Cuisine has begun competing with its landmark neighbor for the local crowd but with decidedly eastern flavors. Offering a variety of sushi, sashimi and rolls, the restaurant is an affordable new sushi option, allowing college kids to bask in cool choices such as Wasabi Hot Wings. 217 W. State St. 387-5678

Perkins Rowe adding several new eateries

Camellia Grill

The old-style New Orleans short-order diner, where men in crisp chef whites serve arm-length omelets, pecan waffles and juicy burgers, is coming to Perkins Rowe. Paul Carlson, general manager of Perkins Rowe, said the Baton Rouge location should be open this month. Camellia Grill is opposite La Madeleine on Bluebonnet. camelliagrill.net

Texas de Brazil

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and the largest restaurant in Perkins Rowe will be Dallas-based Texas de Brazil. This churrascaria specializes in rotisserie-roasted beef, pork and chicken, and salads. The new 10,500 square foot restaurant opens this month. 10155 Perkins Rowe, Suite 100. texasdebrazil.com

California Pizza Kitchen

New York has the best pizza, right? California Pizza Kitchen gives that idea a run for its money. The franchise opens in August behind Barnes and Noble. It’s known for interesting toppings on its hearth-baked pizzas: the California club is topped with sliced chicken and avocado, while the mango and tandoori chicken with spicy golden curry sauce is a fresh, Indian twist. 10001 Perkins Rowe, Suite 110. cpk.com

The Grillroom

Power lunch and prime steaks go hand-in-hand at this Chicago chophouse and wine bar. The Grillroom opens August behind Barnes and Noble, sharing its building with California Pizza Kitchen. Along with steakhouse staples like prime rib sandwiches and New York strips, The Grillroom also offers a variety of seafood and entrée salads. 10001 Perkins Rowe, Suite 110. perkinsrowe.com

The morphing mall

Mall of Louisiana continues its expansion this month with a variety of new shops and restaurants that broaden Bluebonnet Boulevard’s footprint.

Circuit City

Near Rave Theater is a new power center at the Mall of Louisiana. The first anchor will be Circuit City, which is set to open first by mid-summer. The electronics superstore will occupy more than 30,000 square feet. malloflouisiana.com

Dick’s Sporting Goods

The power center’s other anchor will be Dick’s Sporting Goods, the fast-growing national chain popular with ESPN Sportscenter junkies. Dick’s sells everything from basketball shoes to badminton racquets. dickssportinggoods.com

Borders

America’s other leading bookstore chain finally breaks into the Baton Rouge market. Borders will set up shop in The Boulevard, the Mall of Louisiana’s open-air expansion that’s also home of the Apple Store. Borders will open by the end of the summer in 25,000 square feet of space. malloflouisiana.com

Bravo! Cucina Italiana

If De Niro ate at chains, he’d eat at Bravo! The white table cloth casual Italian eatery will open its second Louisiana location next to BJ’s Steakhouse and Brewery in The Boulevard this summer. 6401 Bluebonnet Blvd. 766-5288. bravoitalian.com