Food contributes so much to living well. It can be anything – luxurious, affordable, communal, intimate, simple and complex. In Baton Rouge, the culinary scene covers the entire spectrum of the senses.
This weekly section brings you insider foodie news, helpful tips and details on food and wine events for all your foodie ambitions.
In the knowledge
Cake time is here again. Elsie’s plate & cake, 3145 Government St., Baton Rouge, has opened online pre-orders for Thanksgiving pies. Collection is available on Tuesday, November 21st and Wednesday, November 22nd from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Place an order at elsiespies.myshopify.com.
The high tea is here The Plantry Cafe, 5454 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. The cafe serves modernized plant-based dishes, and high tea on Sundays features dishes like almond flour cookies, pumpkin cheesecake, and curried pepper and chickpea sandwiches. Reserve at www.opentable.com.
The Joe Burrow Foundation raised $100,000 during the Dine for 9 fundraiser in September to support the foundation’s efforts to overcome food insecurity in Athens, Ohio, Baton Rouge and Cincinnati. Several restaurants in Baton Rouge participated, donating 9% of their sales to the foundation.
authorization: 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Belli, 701 Spanish Town Road, Baton Rouge
Kristen Guarisco, owner of Belli, will lead eight group coaching sessions to discuss personal goals in the areas of health, relationships, finances and more. Guarisco supports you in creating individual plans. Registration is $150 for eight sessions. Call 225-223-6695 for more information or to register.
Autumn party: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 5, at Capital Renaissance International School, 10420 Baringer Foreman Road, Baton Rouge
Join Capital Renaissance International School, Baton Rouge’s only multilingual immersion education program, for a free, family-friendly event featuring a corn maze, petting zoo, silent auction, food trucks, yard games and more. For more information, call (225) 421-8303.
Veterans Day promotions: Saturday, November 11, at various stores in Baton Rouge
- Queen Baton Rouge, 1717 River Road, Baton Rouge, is offering 50% off meals with a valid ID in honor of the nation’s heroes. The special offer applies to restaurants throughout the property, including 1717, 3 Woks Noodle Bar, Capitol Coffee and Big Chicken.
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 7275 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, is offering veterans and active military members with ID a free dinner appetizer or dessert paired with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Apollo’s soup and biscuit cook-off: 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at George’s Place, 860 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge
Add your favorite soup or bisque or try something new. Participants should arrive at 5:00 p.m. for setup. Judging begins at 6:00 p.m. A $10 donation is required to sample the soups.
New (food and drink) on the block
Sonny’s BBQ introduced the BBQ Tour Sampler with three proteins: Carolina pulled pork, Memphis dry-rubbed ribs and smoked wings, tossed in an Alabama White Sauce or a Florida Smokin’ Citrus Sauce. This entree is served with two “sidekicks” and bread for $15.99 and is available at all Sonny’s BBQ locations from October 30th to December 24th.
Sonny’s BBQ is located at 12475 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge and 781 W. La. 30, Gonzalez
Mason’s Grill has a new burger coming out in November that’s got our taste buds tingling. It’s the French Onion Mushroom Melt, with half a pound of beef, topped with Monterey Jack and Swiss cheese and topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms on a toasted sourdough bun. There’s also homemade au jus for dipping. You had me caramelized.
Mason’s Grill is located at 13556 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge.
Sunday’s Soda Foundation431 Jefferson St., Lafayette, now offers soup bread bowls with tomato bisque, chili and a seasonal curried butternut squash, drizzled with coconut milk and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Wine and spirits
There’s a new social hour special at Wine and provisions from the library, 7530 S. Burnside Ave., Gonzales. Enjoy a special menu of small plates, cocktails and weekly wine flights Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The menu features dishes like blasé shishito peppers, truffle fries, a seasonal mule and more.
Modesto3930 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, has introduced Wine Wednesday, which includes $4 glasses of wine all day.
mark your calendar
Thanksgiving buffet: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge, 4728 Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge
Celebrate Thanksgiving at Crowne Plaza with dishes like seafood gumbo, roasted turkey, tuna wontons, fig-stuffed pork loin and more. Tickets are $75 for adults, $45 for children ages 6 to 12 and $30 for children 6 and under. Call (225) 925-2244 to make reservations.