on location: south O dave bodle LOUISIANA Taste

TreatsFrom Cajun dance halls to f ine dining restaurants, mealtimes highlight itineraries in all parts of the state

n six occasions this fall, OTiger Stadium, home of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers, fills to more than 92,000 fans, becoming the fifth largest city in the state. However, festivities get into full swing long before action on the field begins. The inviting aromas of grillades, jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish etouffee, fried catfish and barbecue fill the air. Louisianans love to eat and take that passion to their tailgating. It’s that af- fection for good food and fun that bodes well for group tour visitors. If you cannot make it to the game, here are a few favorites to get you started on sam- pling Louisiana culinary delights. Possibly the place to begin exploring Any list of Louisiana Louisiana food is the New Orleans food favorites has to include shrimp etouffee. LeisureGroupTravel.com 8th Annual COOLinary restaurant promotion Aug. 1-31, 2012. A wonder- ful way to sample the gastronomic delights of the Big Easy, the event cel- ebrates the cuisine of New Orleans and its culinary community. (coolinarynew- orleans.com) Less than an hour’s drive from New Orleans is Darrow, La. and Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. In addition to a tour of the magnificent main house, guests are welcomed to a fine dining experience at Latil’s Landing Restaurant. Located in the French House built in the 1770s, the restaurant is complete with the origi- Every meal is a special occasion in culinary havens like Lake Charles, La. nal beamed ceiling and floor. (houmas- house.com/restaurant.htm) School of Cooking. Promising a “gar- Only in Louisiana does a childhood Cajun Country is located in South ron-teed” good time for all, it offers staple become more than just ice and Louisiana and is well known for festi- Open Demonstration Lunch Classes colored syrup. Steven Bel, owner of vals celebrating crops, heritage and hol- seven days a week, Private Demonstra- Sal’s, goes through 1,000 pounds of ice idays. However, you will not have to tion Lunch Classes for groups of 25 or daily during the summer. Add this one wait for a festival to enjoy great food more, and a Hands On Cooking Class. to your itinerary; it’s a fun stop on a and fun. Visitors travel to McGee’s Group rates are available. (newor- hot day. Landing in Henderson for Atchafalaya leansschoolofcooking.com) Of course, New Orleans has a well- Basin Swamp Tours and McGee’s Cafe A New Orleans tradition, Parkway deserved reputation for fabulous food & Bar, which features traditional, Bakery & Tavern, is the place to go and world-class dining. Featuring many home-style Cajun and seafood entrees for po’boys. This submarine-style of the Crescent City’s restaurants, the like alligator, fried shrimp and crawfish sandwich is served on a baguette-like New Orleans CVB is preparing for the etouffee. (mcgeeslanding.com) French bread and filled with roasted meat or fried seafood. A frequent win- ner in “best of ” surveys, Parkway cooks its meat for 24 hours and uses only the freshest ingredients. (parkwaybak- eryandtavernnola.com) Another Louisiana staple is the muffuletta sandwich and the best one might just be found at the Central Grocery in New Orleans. Italian bread is piled high with Italian cold cuts and provolone, then topped with an in- triguing olive salad. Just about any New Orleans food, including Central Gro- cery Italian Olive Salad, can be pur- chased online at nolacajun.com. Metairie, located just outside New Orleans, is home to Sal’s Snow Balls. Louisiana dishes take center stage at the New Orleans School of Cooking.

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A Breaux Bridge favorite is Mulate’s The Original Cajun Restaurant. Live Cajun music and wonderful food are all available at a reasonable price. Be careful though—you may want to dance the night away. (mulates.com/breauxbridge). Also in Breaux Bridge, Cafe des Amis is a local favorite where great Cajun food and music daily with a Saturday morning Zydeco Breakfast beg a visit. (cafedesamis.com) Nearby in Lafayette, two distinct Cajun dance hall restaurants can be found. Since 1980 Prejean’s has been welcoming groups with the best in Cajun cuisine and live dance music. (prejeans.com). Randol’s, with its dis- tinctive old time dance hall feel, takes Latil’s Landing Restaurant offers fine dining at Houmas House Plantation. pride in food that nourishes the body, while good times and good friends feed just like the locals. (boncreolela.com). state’s premier gaming destinations. the soul. (randols.com) Not far down the road is Avery Island, Luxurious rooms, more than 1,000 In New Iberia, there’s plenty to see home to the McIlhenny Co.’s Tabasco slots, all your favorite table games and and do, but one thing’s for sure; sauce bottling plant. Look for the a fine dining experience all come seafood doesn’t get any fresher than lunch truck under the live oak trees. together at L’Auberge du Lac Casino what you’ll be served at Bon Creole It’s homemade Cajun cooking. After Resort. Both Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill Lunch Counter. Oversized po’boys, lunch and a plant tour, make time for and Ember Grille & Wine Bar offer fried seafood baskets and plates are the gift shop. (tabasco.com) extensive menus in a comfortable set- featured. You will wait in line, though, Lake Charles is home to one of the ting. (ldlcasino.com) The historically rich roads running on both sides of the Mississippi River have rightfully earned the moniker Great River Road. Many of Louisiana’s majestic plantations can be found in the area. For an enjoyable dining experience, consider The Cabin in Burnside. It has been serving great food since 1973. Do save some time for a visit to the Gen- eral Store. (thecabinrestaurant.com) In the central area of the state just off I-49 is Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. It’s here you’ll discover Lasy- one’s Meat Pie Restaurant. The own- ers have been serving Cajun/Creole cuisine and their famous meat pies for more than 40 years. (lasyones.com) The Mabry House in Shreveport Cajun music and food make the good times roll at Lake Charles dance halls. presents fine dining in a historically

34 October 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com rich, 100-year-old Victorian house. The menu is French and the setting is exquisite. Small groups are welcome and provided outstanding service. (318-227-1121) Louisiana’s passion for food is much more than flavor. Of course, the foods reflect the state’s French, German, African and Spanish influences. How- ever, to the people of Louisiana dining is an event, a reason to celebrate and a chance to bring family and friends together. Each of the state’s tourism regions reflects those values and offer culinary experiences to match. They’ll treat you like family. LGT

Obtain Louisiana visitor guides and itineraries – and contact group- friendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

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