Cool Baton Rouge Businesses to Watch in 2015

Anyone living in Baton Rouge knows this city is going up. up. up. We are growing…expanding…Quite frankly-getting cooler.  I've always thought this city had the best of all worlds. It's family accommodating, but there is no shortage of fun when you do get that babysitter on a Saturday Night. Well, enough of my Redstick City plug. Here is my list of "cool" Baton Rouge Businesses to keep an eye on in the New Year.

1. Velvet Cactus

I loved this place in New Orleans. Actually, I lived right behind it. This "Mexican Inspired" Restaurant not only has a great menu and killer Margaritas, it throws one of the Best Cinco De Mayo block parties I have ever attended (and I've attended some doozies). The New Orleans-Art Inspired-Voo Doo themed atmosphere make this a place for a Professional Lunch, Saturday Girls Night Out, or your Date Spot. The outdoor courtyard is going to be my go-to Happy Hour Spot when the weather starts to warm up.

7655 Old Hammond Hwy, Baton Rouge
(225) 227-2563
Go like Velvet Cactus Facebook page for more updates!
Visit Velvet Cactus and post your pictures with #GeauxEat on your social media and you could be featured!

2. Barcadia

                                          Picture Courtesy of Barcadia Facebook Page

Another New Orleans little brother place. This joint is not your typical bar. This is arcade themed bar will feature arcade games to keep you boozing and moving. On some nights you can even win FREE BOOZE. Hence the name "Barcadia." Now you are getting it! So start putting your quarters in that jar by your bed. Now you actually have something to use them for.

3347 Highland Road, Baton Rouge LSU
(225) 224-6000
Go like Barcadia Facebook Page for updates!
Post your pictures from Barcadia with #GeauxOut and you could be featured!

3. Matherne's Grocery Store

Ok. Ok. Don't get mad at me. Another one of my faves from New Orleans. If you read this site regularly…you know two things about me. I love downtown Baton Rouge and I like local businesses. And my third weakness?. I am a sucker for doberge cake. And this place is rocking all three of my likes. Move over Whole Foods, this is the new hip grocery store in town.

440 N Third Street Suite 100, Downtown Baton Rouge
(225) 343-0600
Go like Matherne's Facebook page for more updates and deals!
Post your pictures shopping at Matherne's with #GeauxEat and you could be featured!

4. Baton Rouge Krav Maga

 Photo Courtesy of Krav Maga Baton Rouge Facebook Page

Now that you have inhaled your Doberge Cake, Krav Maga Gym and Training is a "killing two birds with one stone" kind of exercise. You get a muscle-building, cardio filled workout while learning how to defend yourself with the art of Krav Maga. The trainers at this gym genuinely care about the super positive atmosphere they provide to their clients. These hour long classes are such a bag-hitting good time…A lot of people gladly stay for multiple classes in a row and get their butt kicked.

10221 Patriot Drive Suite A, Baton Rouge
(225) 329-9820
Go like Baton Rouge Krav Maga Facebook Page for more updates and classes!
Post your pictures at Krav Maga with #GeauxWorkOut and you could be featured!

5. XO Nightclub

A club that opened in 2014,  but I think it is going to really rave in 2015. Already very impressed with this joint and its club feel. Not to mention, I have never seen a room full of such happy people since that epic Lil Jon Concert in 2014.
Bartenders-Friendly. VIP Girls-Hot. Dance Floor-Full. What else were you looking for in your Saturday Night?

150 Mayflower Street, Downtown Baton Rouge
(225) 381-0606
Go like XO Nightclub on Facebook for updates and performances!
Post your pictures at XO with #GeauxOut and you could be featured!

6. Hey Penelope

My last post was about this adorable shop on Jefferson Hwy. that specializes in comfortable-fashionable-Louisanable clothes. From T-shirts to leggings to adorable koozies for POOL SEASON coming up... Stop by. While you are there, pick up one of those Mardi Gras "This is My Bead Catching Shirt" for me...will ya?

7317 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge
(225) 924-5338
Go like Hey Penelope Facebook Page for more updates and sales!
Post your pictures in Hey Penelope with #GeauxShop and #HeyPenelope and you could be featured!

7. Draft House

Beers…Beers…and more Beers. There is already a big beer-lover social scene in Baton Rouge (I personally never turn down a home brew), and now the headquarters for all beer connoisseurs is here! Opening this fall, Draft House is going to be THE place to go for an after work brewski. And I'm not a gambler, but I would put money on the fact that this place will fill up fast on game days.

421 Third Street, Downtown Baton Rouge
(225) 246-2547
Go like Draft House on Facebook for more updates.
Post your pictures at Draft House with #GeauxOut and you could be featured!

8. Tiger Deaux Nuts

There goes my low carb diet out the window. Tiger Deaux-nuts has caused quite the stir as everyone anxiously waited for the doors to open at their new Government location. And how could we not? Bacon Crumbled donuts and king cake that I would probably not be willing to share...This might be my newest "sweet craving" spot.

5162 Government, Mid-City Baton Rouge
(225) 421-1091
Go like Tiger Deaux-Nuts on Facebook for updates!
Post your pictures at Tiger Deaux-Nuts with #GeauxEat and you could be featured!

 

9. Modern Meals

And for the days you are more loyal to your diet…There is Modern Meals. This place is more "Take Out" orientated, but it is said to have tables and chairs for your slower paced days. But for all you fast paced, clean eaters...Here is your easy fix. Their menu is endless and their food...gorgeous! Can't wait for this opening.

2921 Government Street, Mid-City Baton Rouge
(225) 317-2673
Go like Modern Meals on Facebook for updates!
Post your pictures at ModernMeals with #GeauxEat and you could be featured!

The Taste of Tiger Tailgating

Football Season is almost here, and we can taste it...Literally.

August 23, 2014 starting at 5:00 p.m., come to the Baton Rouge River Center Arena for food, beverages, and entertainment kicking off the LSU Football Season. 

Some of Baton Rouge's finest food and beverage vendors show up at this event. Leave stuffed, buzzed, and ready for Kickoff. Tickets are $25, VIP are $35. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Entertainment by Dylan Scott, Natalie Stovall & The Drive. Special Guest Appearance by Jamie Lynn Spears. (Say what you want to say...I've seen the girl's show, and she is GOOD!)

Pho Pho Pho Friday

New Ritual: Pho Pho Pho Friday at Dream Berrie Cafe

My only problem with this place is they don't call themselves "We have the best Pho in Baton Rouge." Some people may pass this place up because it appears, at first glance, to be a yogurt shop (Hence the Name Dream Berrie). And it is. Good Frozen yogurt too. But my new addiction is the Pho Menu. Steamed Dumplings, Noodles, and Lamb. YUM! If you can't find me on Fridays, it's because I'm hiding out here, slurping my life away. Located on Sherwood, it's not far from anyone. Try it out, and tell them I sent ya! Check out the menu by clicking the picture above or here.

Yvette Marie's Cafe... Baton Rouge's Best Unkept Secret

The Locals know about this place...But there are being way too hush hush about it.

Considering it is only open from 11:00am-2:00pm, that is probably why the locals are keeping down on this one. Today it is busy. And delicious. The two things you look for in looking for you new lunch spot. The staff was extremely friendly and patient considering how much they had to run around. And the food...Slap yo mama good. I got the Famous Chicken Salad sandwich with the tomato basil soup. Holly got the Spring Club with the sensation salad. We picked at each other's plates and could not decide who lucked up the best. If my lunch buddy had not advise me against, I would have ran off with the whole pitcher of the Sweet Mango Tea. It was worth going to jail for. And the plus to this place? It's located right inside Circa 1857. So if you save yourself some time, go do a little shopping at one of the adorable shops open around you. Check out more info and the menu here.

ALL GONE!

Sullivan's Has a New Attitude

HELLO HAPPY HOUR!

Yes..Yes. I've been to Sullivan's before. And yes..It is about the most delicious menu in Baton Rouge. But I'm not here to talk about the food. No sir. I'm here to talk about this Ringside experience. I'm talking about a Martini's Slinging-Loud Cover Band Playing-Singing and Dancing-Making Friends with Strangers hell of a time. As many times as I had been to Sullivan's, I had never walk through...what I now call...The Good time Doors into Ringside. It has the best of both worlds. Class, great service from the servers and all with a laid-back "good ole time" feel. I may not feel that great the next morning, but I sure enjoyed myself the night before. Happy Hour on Thursday nights usually starts in the bar, but as soon as we all see that band warming up...We cross on over into Ringside. Come see me pretending like I can dance on Thursday nights. Order the Knockout Martini and tell them I sent ya! #GeauxEat and #GeauxOut

Truly Free Bakery and Deli

Although I am off my super healthy kick, I still am obsessed with this place. We took one of our guy friends here for lunch one time and shoo-ed him in as he rolled his eyes. Guess what? Now HE is obsessed with this place!

My lunch the other day. Caesar wrap with Rice Paper and Tomato Basil Soup. Oh! Did I mention the Caesar Dressing was made with no egg!

Everything at Truly Free is absolutely 1) Organic 2) All Natural 3) Allergen Friendly 4)Gluten Free. This is the one place I can actually order Sweet Tea because it is made with Stevia! I have yet to try the sweets yet, but my mother (who is Diabetic and eats Gluten Free) ordered the Lemon Cake to take home one night. She was in heaven. She never gets to eat that kind of stuff. Whether you need breakfast, lunch, or something sweet...Stop in Truly Free off of Perkins near the Bulldog. Tell them I sent you! www.eattrulyfree.com