Baton Rouge, LA

Looking for a late night place to grab a bite, or more, to eat? Louie’s Café, located right off the Louisiana State University campus, is just the place to curb that late night hunger as it remains open 24 hours for all those night owls. Established since 1941, this café has surely had time to expertly create these greasy, yet deliciously simple meals, craved by practically all of Louisiana State University. This quirky, carefree atmosphere creates a casual vibe to be enjoyed by all, as students and professionals alike frequent this small café.

Baton Rouge, LA

Lagniappe. That little extra. The part you didn't expect but are pleased to have. And when it comes to tailgating at Alex Box Baseball Stadium, well folks that's what we have now. Lagniappe. A gift to the fans from a baseball team that had virtually been written off after a less than extraordinary start to their season.

The excitement was palpable this weekend as the streaking tigers bulldozed their way through the NCAA Regional Tournament. And the tailgating was as hot as Blake Dean's bat. All around "The Box", the flag's were fluttering, the grills were smoking and the jambalaya pots simmered in a sea of purple and gold.

New Orleans, LA

On the rare occasion that the higher powers look down on New Orleans and grant a dry, low humidity evening, there is no better way to celebrate than with a meal in one of the Crescent City's picturesque courtyards. Uptown's Martinique Bistro has one of the best.
Vine covered brick walls separate the restaurant's quiet, jasmine scented courtyard from the bustle of Magazine Street. Large canvas umbrellas over the tables, twinkling strands of lights and a small fountain in the center give the courtyard a cozy and romantic feel. Though the atmosphere on its own is worthy of a visit, the food steals the spotlight at this sophisticated bistro.

New Orleans, LA

Don't get me wrong; bar food has it's place in the culinary world. Heaping piles of nachos can be quite tasty and a gooey basket of cheese fries can curb a craving that can be satisfied in no other way. But when picking a sports bar where I can enjoy, what I hope to be, a good game and a few beers, I look for a place that can branch beyond the generic bar-food menu. The Ugly Dog Saloon does just that, and they do it well.

Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA

While the category of the restaurant may seem typical, Reginelli’s is far from the standard pizza joint. Twelve years after the first Reginelli’s opened its doors; owners Darryl Reginelli and Bruce Erhardt have established five additional eateries.
With all of the locations in Louisiana, Reginelli’s has brought a unique Italian flare and flavor to the Cajun state. Inside and out, Reginelli’s is decked in bright décor; with custard walls painted with geometric shapes in blues, greens, and oranges—you won’t find any checked tablecloths here.

New Orleans, LA

While a New Orleanian can find a grocery store that sells gin or a club that plays jazz at any hour, it may seem distinctly more difficult to find a good poboy at a late hour in New Orleans. According to a website that advertises itself as “the best after hours destinations that New Orleans has to offer,” one can find late night sustenance at a casino, a national chain blues establishment, or a daiquiri place known for its “pretzels.” Pretzels? Being a New Orleanian is less about chain establishments and pretzels than about poboys and institutions, like Cooter Brown’s Tavern and Oyster Bar. It is named for a man (or legend) who lived along the Mason-Dixon line during the war between the North and the South. With family on both sides, he chose not to fight on either side. Instead, he got drunk for the duration of the war.

Hammond, LA

The downtown area of Hammond includes several hidden culinary gems. One of the brightest is the Mariner’s Inn, billed as a “restaurant and lounge” by owner and operator Bruce Labrecque, who acquired the business in 1982, and who graciously agreed to an interview to provide background for this review. He began his association with the restaurant—a fixture of Hammond dining since 1979—as a cook and dishwasher, and has grown the business from a tiny hole-in-the-wall diner into a modest-sized restaurant. By day, the Mariner’s is known to Hammond residents as an easy-going little café what some consider to be the best burgers in town. The evening crowd stays late for the bar, the pool tables, and the entertainment.
Depending on when you visit, the Mariner’s Inn offers something for everyone.

Baton Rouge, LA

Almost lost amongst the many businesses located in the Southdowns area on Perkins, Thai Kitchen is a find to be revisited. This Baton Rouge food find, however, is not a well kept secret, by any means. The growing customer base, discovering this spicy cuisine and traditional Thai ambiance, led Sam - the owner of Thai Kitchen - to expand his restaurant, offering a larger venue for its food and services, including both a karaoke and sushi bar.

Baton Rouge, LA

Some might say the food served at The Silver Spoon is clever, fresh, smart, or genius. No—that’s its original name. This eatery began as a tea room in a small part of an antique shop known as Absolute Genius.

Today, owner Kathy Mangham has moved from her days in the antique shop to a mid-size restaurant that booms during the lunch hours. The Silver Spoon has been open for 15 years; Kathy working nearly each day. Kathy has always been interested in food. Her career started out with gift baskets filled with gourmet foods, which then spurred the tea room. The tea room grew with clients and the business took off to become The Silver Spoon.

Ponchatoula, LA

For 362 days of the year, Ponchatoula is an archetypical Louisiana small town; the diners and cafes there serve their regulars, students attend class at the high school, and life is sedate and regular. On April 11-13 of 2008, Ponchatoula hosted hundreds of thousands of attendees at her annual Strawberry Festival, the largest free festival in the state. Ponchatoula, billing itself as the Strawberry Capital of the world, gave itself over to food, music, dancing, and parades, and revelers from throughout Louisiana and neighboring states.