Ground Zero
Lafayette Have you ever tried a chamango or mangonada? It’s a tropical sorbet bursting with sweet, salty and spicy flavors from Zero Degrees. Making its debut in Lafayette, the thriving Asian-Hispanic fusion chain from California brings the ube milkshake, fancy slushes, Thai milk tea, Vietnamese coffee, garlic noodles, carne asada fries, and Mexican street corn to Lafayette (zerodegreescompany.com).
Profits of Patience
Lafayette, New Iberia Blue Dog patrons were saddened to learn of the bistro’s surprise July closing after 20 years, but the owners say it may be temporary. New Iberia’s beloved Preservation Bar & Grill (formerly Clementine) also closed briefly, but reopened at a new location after merging with Beau Soleil Café a few blocks away. After Paul Schexnayder finished the new mural, Preservation closed for a health-related hiatus, then reopened recently with new cocktails and music (facebook.com/preservation.method).
Terrebonne
Raise Your Paw and Say “Arf!”
Six four-legged trained deputies recently took their oath of office in Terrebonne Parish: Venerable K9s Oti, Grimm, Hoss, Jager, Karma and Charon acknowledged their oath (read by newly-elected Sheriff Tim Soignet) with punctilious barking. “They are fully commissioned as deputies and do the same work as us, but their senses are 750 times stronger,” he said.
All in a Dog’s Name
Carencro Bailey’s Cigar Room recently opened in Carencro. The handsome lounge has deep leather chairs, a large TV, free WiFi, a humidor, refreshments and assorted cigars. The owners named the shop Bailey’s after their 12-year-old dog because “Bailey is as loyal and welcoming as any best friend, and she sits by our side for most of our smokes” (baileyscigarroom.com).