Barattini’s Bistreaux Gonzales, LA

I had a client take me out to eat at Barattini’s Bistreaux in Gonzales.  It is located on 2507 S. Purpera Rd., in between Airline and Highway 30.  This Italian restaurant’s motto is “Mangia e Statti Zitto!” (Shut up and eat!).  That is exactly what happened.  We placed our order at the counter, then sat and waited for our food to be prepared.  I ordered the Eggplant Barattini which is “served over angel hair pasta with crawfish in a creole cream sauce”.  My client ordered the Barattini’s House Salad that consisted of a “fresh blend of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce with artichoke hearts, red onion, ripe olives, and pepperoni tossed in [their] signature dressing.  He also made it Supreme, which added salami, ham, additional pepperoni and lots of cheese.

The food took less than 10 minutes to come out and tasted really great.  It was our first time there and we will definitely be back.  I saw a few tables that ordered pizza that looked pretty good.

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LSU Continues Chick-fil-A Bowl Dominance, 38-3

via LSUSports.net

Playing in what’s become its dome away from home, the LSU football team lived up to its defending national champion moniker. The Tigers dominated No. 14 Georgia Tech with the school’s largest first-half output in bowl history to win, 38-3, on Wednesday at the Georgia Dome.

Continue reading at LSUSports.net

Cheer the Tigers, Celebrate NYE w/ LSU Alumni Atlanta

The LSU Alumni Association Atlanta Chapter has been busy since LSU was announced for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  They have organized a Tuesday night party featuring the Evil Twins at Engine 11, a former firehouse that is now a nice restaurant/pub about a mile from the downtown hotels.  They also partnered with Sidebar, a neighborhood bar near the Georgia Dome that will be perfect for before and after the game.  Both bars will donate a portion of sales for LSU scholarships.  Check out the “LSU Atlanta Chick-fil-A Bowl Fan Guide” at www.lsuatlanta.com for helpful tips and links for information about events and attractions.

via LSU Alumni Atlanta Chapter

Win 2 Tickets to Chick-fil-a Bowl + 1 Night Marriot Stay

This is a raffle for all of you that will be in the Atlanta area tomorrow night (Dec. 16th).

A foodraiser is being held by Fifth Group Restaurants for the Atlanta Community Food Bank at two of their restaurants, Ecco and South City Kitchen Vinings.  For each can good you bring to either of these restaurants between 5:30 and 7:30 PM, you will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of priority section tickets to the Chick-fil-a bowl and a one night stay for two at the Marriot Marquis.  One raffle ticket is entered for each can that you bring and there is no limit.  Winners will be drawn at 6:30 and 7:30 and you must be present to win.  So sit at the bar and enjoy a drink or grab a bite to eat and join Fifth Group Restaurants in stocking the Food Bank.

You can call either restaurant for more details and visit their website for menu and location:

Ecco – (404) 347-9555

South City Kitchen Vinings – (770) 435-0700

Lawmakers proposing bill to end BCS

I’m sure most people would agree that our lawmakers should be focusing their time on more important issues.

via Yahoo Sports:

“Taking aim at a BCS system he said “consistently misfires,” a member of Congress planned to introduce legislation Wednesday that would force college football to adopt a playoff to determine the national champion.

Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, didn’t specify what sort of playoff he wants—only that the BCS should go.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Image by Nick Anderson.

Early White Christmas in Tigerland

The Baton Rouge area woke up to an early White Christmas, with an estimated 1-2 inches of wintry mix falling this morning. For a list of school closure, check out The Advocate’s website.

Above image from TigerDroppings

Below from LSU Sports

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2008 Reindeer Run

*** View the results of the 2008 Reindeer Run here.

The Reindeer Run is an annual 5k that benefits Forum 35, a local organization “dedicated to improving [the] community and cultivating the young leaders for the future.” It is held downtown during the Festival of Lights. Festivities include “classic Christmas movies, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, Santa Claus, street dance, Bethlehem Village, Live Nativity Scene, third street restaurants and shops will be open, Old Governor’s mansion open house, fireworks, and ice skating.”

Each year, you can hear bells jingling, as each runner wears Christmas bells around their ankles. Awards are given in different categories and food and drink (beer) is provided after the race. The Reindeer Run is partnering with Toys for Tots. You can drop off a new, unwrapped toy at early packet pickup or on race day and have a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Varsity Sports.

Cost:

• $15.00 entry before race day
• $20.00 on race day
• Entry fee includes a t-shirt
• Family Plan: $12.00 a runner with a minimum of three runners from a family (can be a combination of Fun Run and 5K participants)
• Children 5 and under run free!

You can register online until 10PM tonight (Dec 3rd) here.

Tommy’s Fish House – Market and Restaurant

Since the shrimp season is about over, I planned on boiling shrimp for the Arkansas game (I just couldn’t eat anymore Thanksgiving leftovers).  A few months ago, Tommy’s Fish House opened in Prairieville.  It is located on Old Perkins by Wal-mart and On The Half Shell.  Their prices are very reasonable and the seafood is always fresh and of high quality.

While I was waiting for them to package my shrimp, Chef John Folse walked in to get some of Tommy’s gumbo, saying how good it was.  Next time you’re looking for fresh seafood or just a good place to enjoy a po-boy, give Tommy’s a call.  Check out their menu below.

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Pictures from LSU vs. Ole Miss

Picture Gallery

Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge Tailgate

I stopped by the Mecedes-Benz tailgate and met with Matthew Standefer Executive Sous Chef for Four Seasons catering. This was their first time catering for the Mercedes-Benz tailgate. Their menu featured Cuban marinated shrimp kabobs, New York Strip kabobs, and grilled barbecue brisket pizza.

“We were really out here to pay homage to our existing parts customers and ‘conquest customers’ to a tailgate party so they would remember us when placing their next order for Mercedes-Benz parts” said Gwen Wild, Business Development Manager for Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge.

You can find out more about Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge by visiting their website.

You can book Four Seasons Catering for your next tailgate or event by calling (225) 362-3318.