Roundup: Jason’s Deli re-opening at Citiplace … Seafood specialist vouches for safety of gulf harvest

Deli delight: The Jason’s Deli in the Citiplace shopping center is re-opening Saturday after a complete remodel and update of the interior. Jason’s Deli was recently named the “Best Restaurant Chain in America” by Parents magazine, which hailed the deli’s nutritious, kid-friendly menu options. Safety first: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill led to widespread concern about the quality and safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. However, Lucina Lampila, associate professor and seafood specialist with the LSU AgCenter, says the tainted reputation of the seafood isn’t grounded in actual danger. “I would encourage you to enjoy Louisiana seafood,” she says. Lampila attributes the safety of gulf seafood to both natural and artificial cleaning efforts. She says some species of fish employ natural defenses when oil spills have occurred, in the gulf as well as in other areas around the world, and that chemicals used in cleanup efforts have been effective, with minimal lingering risks to marine life.