Food adds so much to the equation of living well. It can be all the things — luxurious, cheap, communal, intimate, simple and complex. In Baton Rouge, the culinary scene ranges the complete spectrum of senses.
This weekly space brings you insider foodie news, helpful tips and details of food/wine events for all of your bon vivant aspirations.
In the know
The Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up bar, Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, has returned to Baton Rouge as “Miracle On Bennington at the Station,” 4608 Bennington Ave., Baton Rouge. With over-the-top decorations, festive cocktails and mugs, the holiday season is in full force until December.
Chow Yum Phat, 2363 Hollydale Ave., Baton Rouge, is now open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays.
New (food) on the block
There’s new fall specials at Modesto, 3930 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge: papa y chorizo empanadas, lamb chop plancha, yucatán quail, puebla chicken mole enchiladas, arroz con leche brulee, a pumpkin margarita and bloody maria cocktail.
The November roll of the month has arrived at Rock-n-Sake, 3043 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge. The Voodoo Queen is made with panko-fried salmon, jalapeños, snowkrab, avocado, spicy tuna, jalapeño-sweet chili mayo, green onion, tempura flakes, nori and rice.
Belli, 701 Spanish Town Road, Baton Rouge, has a new Tuesday special: Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, served with a side salad.
Starting at 5 p.m. every Tuesday, Phil’s Oyster Bar, 4335 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, hosts “$2 Twosdays” with a new lineup of sliders: hamburger, cheeseburger, yum yum shrimp, buffalo chicken, roast beef, fried oyster, sweet and sour chicken and crab cakes.
Beginning Nov. 14 through Jan. 15, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 7275 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, has various food and drink specials like short rib marsala, cannoli cake, rigatoni al forno and an Italian cookie martini.
Zee Zee’s, 2943 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, has new seasonal cocktails for the holidays:
- Dirty Snowman: made with Don Julio tequila, Cointreau, white cranberry, lime and coconut
- Roasted Reindeer: Union Joven Mezcal, 21 Seeds Valencia Orange tequila, grapefruit, lime, orange bitters, agave and a Tajin rim
- Santa Clausmopolitan: Smirnoff Red, White & Merry Vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry
- Gin and Tidings: Sugarfield Gin, barrel-aged orange liqueur, lemon, lime and rosemary
- Naughty or Spice: Flor de Cãna 7 Year Rum, local honey liqueur, apple cider, lime, brown sugar and cinnamon
- Jack Frost: Bulleit Bourbon, local honey liqueur, blackberry, lime, Angostura bitters
- Shots: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Oatmeal Cookie and Thin Mint
Markets and more
Tackle Hunger Food Drive: 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Rouses Market, 636 Arlington Creek Center Blvd., Baton Rouge
In collaboration with the New Orleans Saints and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Rouses is working to provide food directly to neighbors in need. Bring donations to Rouses and meet Saints alumni, mascots and cheer krewe.
Family Fun Fest: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway, Zachary
Look no further for a free, family-fun event with BREC’s Family Fun Fest. Enjoy carnival games, live entertainment, vendors, crafts, inflatables and more.
Harvest Market: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the EBR Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge
Red Stick Farmers Market has announced a special market in time for Thanksgiving. Shoppers can look forward to farm-fresh produce, artisanal bread, cheeses, desserts, live music and children’s activities. Local farmers and vendors will be on hand to provide expertise.
Spirit night: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at The Yard Milkshake Bar, 18303 Perkins Road East, Baton Rouge
Enjoy a treat at The Yard and support Dutchtown Sound, the band program at Dutchtown High School in Geismar. Mention Dutchtown Sound at checkout, and 15% of all associated sales will be donated.