EatLafayette, the annual celebration of Lafayette’s local restaurants, from humble to haute, continues through Sept. 15. Created by Lafayette Travel in 2005 to boost things a bit during the sultry summer months with cool-on-the-wallet offerings, to qualify as a local eatery, restaurants must have gotten their start in Lafayette Parish. Today, what started out with 18 participating restaurants now has over 100.
Many participating restaurants feature Louisiana’s native Cajun and Creole cuisines but the exploration of flavors does not end there. World cuisines reflecting the culinary cultures of France, Spain, Italy, Asia, the American South and the Mediterranean are also represented.
Standout Deals When You Mention EatLafayette
Paul Ayo at Avec Bacon Cafe will toss in an order of his crisp-from-the-fryer fries gratis when you order a sandwich. He puts his sensational house-cured bacon to stellar use on most of his sandwiches but the LGBT, which combines greens, gouda cheese, bacon, fresh tomato, and spicy mustard on multi-grain bread from Poupart Bakery is a real standout. New on the menu The Whole Farm sandwich combines bacon and chuck, topped with cheddar cheese, two strips of bacon, an over-easy egg, greens, fresh tomato, and spicy mayo on a Poupart’s brioche bun.
For dinner, lunch, brunch and a show wildman Chef Manny Augello’s Bread & Circus Provisions is always a sure bet for a fun time and a fine meal. The focus here is on Sicilian fare, wood-fired cooking, and Neapolitan pizza … not Neapolitan “style.” This is the real deal. At lunch you will score a piece of that fabulous pizza for $1 a slice. Hit him up at dinner and the magic words will score you a split of Tiamo Prosecco with purchase of main entree. Go for Saturday brunch and an order of The Original Bounut (boudin filled donut) is all yours.
Special, elegant and, on the fine dining side in terms of price, say the password at Café Vermilionville and proprietors Ken & Andrea Veron will offer up a special four-course menu for a thrifty $25.
At The Cajun Table a mention of the dining special with score you an order of Nonky’s Fonky Potatoes (seasoned, boiled potatoes diced up and deep fried then smothered in signature cheesy crawfish queso and topped with pork rind croutons and green onions) for $5. That is a fun, indulgent meal for a bargain price.
Are you in the mood for barbecue? Head to Hub City Diner where the EL special is a barbecue brisket sandwich topped with cole slaw and served with potato salad and lemon meringue pie for $9.99.
A buy-one-get-one deal, when you buy a starter, side or small plate at lunch or dinner Monday through Friday, the celebrated Saint Street Inn will shave 25 percent off the second of each when you mention EatLafayette.
The restaurant that made downtown Lafayette cool again, Tsunami prides itself on “LA flare with southern care” with a diverse menu that takes sushi in inventive, globally-inspired directions. Mention EL to receive the Grilled Spicy Yellowtail for $20 — plated on a bed of Asian salsa (made in-house with Fiji apples, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and jalapenos), garnished with micro greens, yuzu tobiko and a drizzle of Asian chimichurri sauce. A serious deal.
EatLafayette / eatlafayette.com
Avec Bacon Cafe
4807 Johnston St. Lafayette. 337-789-6121. avecbacon.com
Bread & Circus Provisions
258 Bendel Road Lafayette. 337-408-3930. bandcprovisions.com
Cafe Vermilionville
1304 W. Pinhook Road Lafayette. 337-237-0100. cafev.com
The Cajun Table
4510 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy. Ste. D. 337-806-9565. thecajuntablellc.com
Hub City Diner
1412 S. College Road Lafayette. 337-235-5683. hubcitydiner.com
Saint Street Inn
407 Brook Ave. Lafayette. 337-534-8112. saintstreetinn.com
Tsunami
412 Jefferson St. Lafayette. 337-234-3474. servingsushi.com
Bonus Bite
Are you traveling to Lafayette? Mouton Plantation, a seven-room B&B near downtown Lafayette, is a circa-1820 restored, raised Creole manor home in the Sterling Grove Historic District. The main plantation is surrounded by quaint cottages along an alley of ancient oak trees and surrounded by lush gardens. Comfortable and romantic, each room, some of which are pet-friendly, is decorated with old world furnishings offset by modern amenities — a large flat screen TV, WiFi, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Each night from 4:30 to 6:30 complimentary hors d’oeuvres and house libations are offered along with tours of the house. Special nights feature live music performances by the celebrated Louis Michot, and every day begins with a lavish breakfast from Chef Craig Kimball — think fresh Gulf shrimp and stone-ground grits and hot biscuits served with excellent fig preserves made in the plantation kitchen.
Mouton Plantation
338 N. Sterling St. Lafayette. 337-233-7816. moutonplantation.com
