Acadiana Profile Magazine August-September 2023

THE ISSUE HOME

WHERE TO LIVE NEXT

The best neighborhoods for every buyer’s needs

A LISTING OF THE REGION’S TOP REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

20 UN VOYAGE AU VILLAGE

Crowley’s motto may be the town that’s “Rice and Easy” (it’s in the middle of rice country), but it’s also considered one of the most haunted in Acadiana

56 RECETTES DE COCKTAILS

The Curious George at the new Tap Room in Youngsville is a fusion of classics nuanced with notes of cotton candy

58 DÎNER DEHORS

Third-generation restaurateurs follow their family’s calling at PJ’s Grill in Crowley

62 DE LA CUISINE

A simple supper for the season

64 EN FRANÇAIS, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT Le

22 L’Art

St. Gabriel artist Connie Harris’ murals and decorative finishes cover surfaces in Louisiana and beyond

24

La Maison

The 2024 St. Jude Dream Home wows crowds with bold hues and playful patterns

Robin Thibodeaux

ThisSouthern Home brings together beauty with classic style and workmanship.

Suzette Fowler owner of Camp Bow Wow worked with Robin Thibodeaux owner of DBR on the details of her home. The custom built home is located in a gated community in North Lafayette. Robin Thibodeaux was one of the first clients at Camp Bow Wow and has been a designer and owner of DBR for over 10 years.

This Southern style home has a gorgeous oversized front porch and a beautiful back patio with an outdoor kitchen.

The kitchen offers cypress beams, lighted glass cabinets for display, brick flooring, custom lighting and hardware., and stunning window treatments.

This custom built home evokes beautiful design at every corner.

DBR

505 Jefferson street

337-344-1570

dbrlafayette.com

EDITORIAL

Editor Melanie Warner Spencer

Art Director Sarah George

Associate Editor Ashley McLellan

Copy Editor Liz Clearman

Lead Photographer Danley Romero

Web Editor Kelly Massicot

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager Rebecca Taylor (337) 298-4424

(337) 235-7919 Ext. 230 rebecca@acadianaprofile.com

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING

PRODUCTION

Digital Director Rosa Balaguer

Senior Production Designer Meghan Rooney

Production Designer Ashley Pemberton

MARKETING

Marketing Manager Greer Stewart

CIRCULATION

Subscriptions Jessica Armand

Distribution John Holzer

ADMINISTRATION

Office Manager Mallary Wolfe

Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne

For subscriptions call 877-221-3512

If HGTV shows, home magazines and niche social media channels are any indication, a favorite pastime for many of us is viewing other people’s houses. I’m certainly in that camp and always get a thrill out of our regular featured home stories in this magazine’s La Maison section. A few years ago we decided to run with the notion that people love home stories and inspiration, and our Home Issue was born. In every other issue throughout the year, we devote many pages — deservedly — to the region’s countless things to do, places to go and people to know, so it’s refereshing to turn our focus toward home. It’s also fitting because, after all, Acadiana not only has a distinctive local architectural venacular, but also a cultural and generational appreciation for gathering together around the hearth — and by hearth I mean the dinner table, but I digress.

This year, we’re tackling something I think the majority of us can relate to: home organization. It can of course be overwhelming to organize the entire house at once, so we turned to a few regional interior designers and professional organizers to zero in on some of the highest traffic and most utilitarian areas. Namely the entry, kitchen and living room.

If you are looking for a change of scenery, we also brought back our “Where to Live Next” feature, which highlights some of the best neighborhoods in Acadiana. Meanwhile, home buyers and sellers will want to save this issue for the Top Real Estate Professionals list.

No issue celebrating home would be complete without a recipe or two and we have you covered. The delectable barbecued crab recipe (with all the fixins) is a surefire way to lure family and friends over for a gathering around the hearth — and by hearth I of course mean the dinner table.

Cheers!

Melanie Warner Spencer Editor Melanie@AcadianaProfile.com

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

THE FOOD ISSUE

Explore the best restaurants, chefs and more in the region with our popular Best of Dining feature, as well as a home with an envy inducing gourmet kitchen, a visit to a can’t miss eatery in the dining column and a little something tasty in En Français, our French column.

Acadiana Kingfish

Acadiana Kingfish is a sponsored section celebrating accomplished businessmen of Acadiana.

Summer Scoops Round up of what's new in Acadiana

BY LISA LEBLANC-BERRY

The Louisiana Food and Wine Festival (Sept. 14-17) offers a plethora of delectable events epitomized by Saturday’s Grand Tasting that showcases top chefs including New Orleans chefs Meg Bickford (Commander’s Palace), Ryan Hacker (Brennan’s) and Edgar Dook Chase IV (Dooky Chase Restaurants and Chapter IV); Lake Charles chefs Amanda Cusey (The Terrace) and Roy Angelle, Jerry Sonnier and Josh Hutton (Culinary arts instructors, SOWELA); and Chef David Rose (Food Network/TV personality). Tastings and awards are held along the Bord du La. Acadiana Profile is one of the event sponsors. (louisianafoodandwinefestival.com).

BOUDIN PIONEER PREVAILS

Now that preparations for Lafayette’s Oct. 21 Boudin Cook-Off & Bacon Festival (boudincookoff. com) are underway, fans of participants Johnson’s Boucanière are reviving stories about the late, great boudin pioneer and origami master Wallace Johnson who died in June. A fixture at the counter (where his original boudin prevails), the colorful nonagenarian raconteur was beloved for making paper boats, jets and spinners “for kids 99 and under” while sharing Cajun tales of old. Johnson closed his circa 1937 boudin haven, Johnson’s Grocery (the first to commercially sell boudin), in Eunice in 2005, three years before his daughter and son-in-law opened Johnson’s Boucanière. Fun fact: Johnson appeared on the cover of Acadiana Profile’s first issue after it was acquired by Renaissance Publishing in 2011.

Sánchez at L’Auberge

Lake Charles Aarón Sánchez, the chef, author, TV personality and owner of Johnny Sanchez restaurant in New Orleans, brings his authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern flair to a second location inside L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. Situated near the pool in the former Favorites Southern Kitchen, the newly opened eatery has 74 seats in the dining room, 26 seats in the bar and 66 seats on the outside patio. Guests can enter the patio bar directly from the pool area (llakecharles.com/dining/ johnny-sanchez).

24-Hour Pizza and Dog Park

For more news briefs visit AcadianaProfile.com

Opelousas

The newly constructed 13-acre Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store along I-49 (at Harry Guilbeau exit) features a 12,000-square-foot store with a 24-hour Godfather’s Pizza and Hardee’s plus a large full-service tire center, an eight-bay auto/RV canopy and eight RV parking spaces with utility hookups plus a gazebo with fire pits, picnic tables and an ample dog park for perky pets (comparably. com/companies/loves).

LAKE CHARLES

Fabulous Foodie Fun

ENTERTAINING TOTS IN LAFAYETTE

Toddlers are descending on Miko’s Playhouse, a colorful new indoor playground designed for babies, toddlers and young children featuring a wide range of play equipment that encourages imaginative play. Adults can enjoy a full café area to relax within close proximity of their children at play (mikosplay.com).

Bodacious Biscuit

Lafayette This fall, Parish Biscuit Company introduces a new fast-casual breakfast and lunch concept to the Oil Center from restaurant veteran Steven Laborde (formerly of Carrabba’s Italian Grill) partnered with Andrew Ahrens (angel investor in Crying Eagle Brewery, Pour and Romacelli). Chef Mike Richard (former executive chef at Café Vermilionville, Coyote Blues and Saint John) offers glorified, opulent biscuit combinations (stuffed with everything from catfish to huevos rancheros), cocktails and mocktails.

Burgers à la Brees

Smalls Sliders, the Louisiana-based concept backed by NFL/Saints legend Drew Brees and co-founded by WalkOn’s CEO, Brandon Landry, recently opened its seventh Louisiana eatery in Lafayette. Locations are comprised of 800-square-foot modular “cans” delivered in one piece and can easily be moved. The simple menu features cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, including a “Drew Style” slider with a colossal amount of bacon plus milkshakes and fries. Youngsville is among 40 more locations in line for development (smallssliders.com).

For more news briefs visit AcadianaProfile.com

Hey Sugar!

New Iberia Revelers will be able to enjoy four parades at the 80th annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival (Sept. 21-24) led by the Farmer’s Tractor Parade featuring vintage farm equipment, the Berry Queen Candy Toss Procession, the Children’s Parade and the glittering Royalty Parade along with dancing to live bands at the nightly fais-do-do, rides and games at the street fair, a car show and an elaborate horticulture show (hisugar.org).

LAFAYETTE, YOUNGSVILLE

Haunted History

Crowley’s motto may be the town that’s “Rice and Easy” (it’s in the middle of rice country), but it’s also considered one of the most haunted in Acadiana.

BY CHERÉ COEN

1

Crowley Motor Co. & Ford Building

HISTORY LESSON

The old Ford Motor Company building, built in 1920, is now home to four cityrun museums: The Ford Automotive Museum, the Rice Interpretive Center, History of Crowley and J.D. Miller Music Recording Studio where native musician J.D. Miller wrote the hit single, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” and recorded it with Kitty Wells. Some claim it’s haunted, but no one knows by whom. Maybe Wells?

CROWLEY MOTOR CO. & FORD BUILDING

425 N. PARKERSON

AVE., CROWLEY ACADIATOURISM. ORG/THINGS-TO-DO/ CROWLEY-MOTORCO-FORD-BUILDING

GRAND OPERA HOUSE

505 N. PARKERSON

AVE., CROWLEY THEGRANDOPERAHOUSE.ORG

CROWLEY MAIN STREET (GHOST TOUR)

TICKETS THROUGH

ACADIA PARISH

LIBRARIAN CLAIRE DORÉ FACEBOOK.COM/ CROWLEYMAINSTREET

2 3

Grand Opera House of the South BE ENTERTAINED

Celebrities have visited Crowley to perform in the Grand Opera House, from Clark Gable and Enrico Caruso to appearances by Babe Ruth and former Gov. Huey P. Long. The 1901 elaborate theater still used today also houses a few who refuse to leave once the stage lights dim. Folks have witnessed a woman in white, children and a 6-foot man — none of them alive.

History Alive Guided Tour of Historic Downtown Crowley

GHOST HUNTING

Acadia Parish librarian and archivist Claire Doré gives visitors an historic tour of downtown Crowley every fall — and her stories naturally include a ghost or two. “Crowley was kind of a Wild West town so we have a unique history.” If you’re lucky on the History Alive Guided Tour, you’ll get a glimpse inside the historic Rice Theatre, said to be very haunted, Doré claims.

BRINGING PAINTINGS TO LIFE

The famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera once said a mural “is like a poem in colors.” Artist Connie Harris of St. Gabriel in Iberville Parish has gained a large following, painting her own poems “in colors” on the walls of homes and public buildings in Louisiana and across the nation.

The Thibodaux native, who lives with her husband David Martin at Chatsworth Plantation in St. Gabriel, began her art career in 1989 in the hand-painted tile industry. What started as a hobby quickly became a business that branched out to creating elegant and detailed “faux finishes” on cabinets, furniture, walls, floors and ceilings as well as painting murals, her favorite art form.

“Murals bring the paintings to life in a bigger space,” says Harris, a distant cousin of the French Impressionist Edgar Degas through his New Orleans-born mother Célestine Musson. “They are permanent and timeless. With canvases you pick them up and move them around. The murals are there to stay.”

BY JOHN R. KEMP

St. Gabriel artist Connie Harris’ murals and decorative finishes cover surfaces in Louisiana and beyond

In addition to scores of private homes, Harris’ brightly colored wall paintings can be found in numerous commercial spaces such as the Synergy Bank lobby in Houma. Long-time Baton Rouge area residents also might remember the large-scale mural she painted at the former Woman’s Hospital before it moved to its current location on Woman’s Way.

“That was fun,” says Harris, a self-taught artist. “I did a mural of nursery rhymes on a 200-foot wall ... As a baby was born, the parent could buy a little star and put on the wall. It’s not there anymore because Woman’s Hospital has moved. It was important to the new parents because they got to commemorate their new born baby in the Hall of Stars.”

Painting commissioned murals in people’s homes or commercial spaces is delicate process of visualizing a concept, execution and pleasing clients. Most of who, Harris says, already have an idea of the scene they want. Harris does her research and does a preliminary sketch of the scene that brings the concept, as she says,

“to life.” If she is doing a landscape, she then freehand draws the scene directly on a prepared wall. If the image includes animals and people, she first draws those figures on graphite tracing paper that she positions on the wall and then traces over the drawing to transfer the image.

Does she have favorite scenes that she likes to paint? Harris says she loves doing them all, but florals with lots of color are her favorites. Growing up in Thibodaux, she is also partial to South Louisiana landscapes.

“It’s such a natural thing for me,” says Harris. “I’ve done a lot of murals of the Louisiana landscape. At Philay’s Catfish n’ More restaurant in Gonzales, I did a 16-by-22-foot wall of a swamp scene all done in lavenders and purples. It was one of my favorites.”

In addition to her art, Harris and her husband have restored the Chatsworth Plantation, which is filled with her art, and the 1760s Marguerite Plantation house next door, which they run as a bed and breakfast. It’s her art, however, that wakes her up at night thinking about things to create.

“It’s just in me,” she says. “It’s God-given, it’s a gift. I just absolutely love what I’m doing. It’s a joy and I’m so blessed to do what I love. I thank God every day for that. It’s amazing.” 

Hometown Born and raised in Thibodaux

Residence Chatsworth Plantation, St. Gabriel

Born 1957

Inspiration French Impressionist Edgar Degas

Clients Private homes and commercial spaces

Painting Style Decorative faux finishes and murals

Favorite Imagery Floral scenes and Louisiana landscapes Web connieharrisart.com

MEET THE ARTIST

Connie Harris

Dream Weavers

The 2024 St. Jude Dream Home wows crowds with bold hues and playful patterns

BY MARIE ELIZABETH OLIVER PHOTOS BY HAYLEI SMITH

The 2023 Acadiana St. Jude Dream Home in Broussard’s Langlinais Estates showcases a vibe shift away from neutral territory. This home isn’t meant to blend in, says Jim Van Breemen, construction manager at McLain Companies — currently in its 14th year as driving force behind the fundraising project.

“The kitchen cabinets have color,” says Van Breemen. “The countertops are exotic stones with a lot of movement. That’s where things are turning, toward more color and more texture.”

A handful of the rooms lean into richly patterned wallpaper, adding drama at every turn.

One of his favorite details is the tucked away scullery that allows the kitchen to have a more formal feel. He sees increasing demand for this extra space among his clients, which he attributes to a post-pandemic rise in home entertaining.

Jodi Bolgiano and Gabrielle Bolgiano of Bolgiano Interiors designed the open kitchen and living room. The motherdaughter duo infused the space with pops of color and texture.

“That used to be the norm in the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s,” says Van Breemen. “If people had parties, that’s where the dishes go. You don’t end up with all the clutter at the end of the day.”

He says the space is also great at providing families with young kids the best of both worlds — an open concept kitchen and a place to hide the mess.

The home itself represents efforts by countless craftspeople and designers, who donate their time to the fundraiser that raises more than $1 million each year. He says the goal is to keep the construction cost down as low as possible, so more of the ticket money goes toward helping the children at St. Jude. The sheer amount of contributors to the home’s construction makes the final product that much more impressive.

“It’s a lot of moving parts because we do have so many people donating,” says Van Breemen.

DETAILS Builder McLain Companies Designers

Jodi Bolgiano and Gabrielle Bolgiano, Bolgiano Interiors

Leslie Maxwell Wooters

Paige LaVergne Home

S Clare Design Studio

Paige Gary Sold by Design Dona Designs

Fringed drapery in the formal dining room, also designed by Bolgiano Interiors, continues the green and blue color story, which is repeated throughout the home. A whimsical chandelier complements the dining room table and adds extra flair.

Breemen says the contributing designers have free rein to showcase the latest trends, as well as their personal aesthetics. This could have the potential to feel hodgepodge, says Van Breemen, but instead, each space tells a cohesive color story.

“The most impressive thing is the house does flow and have a style to it,” says Van Breemen.

Although the interior of the Dream Home is more contemporary, the exterior is classic Acadiana. Van Breemen says when contemplating the home’s curb appeal, they were conscious of one detail.

“We really wanted to stay away from the all-white painted brick,” he says. “We made the commitment to do something different.”

Another big change this year is the creation of a foundation so members of the Acadiana community can support the Dream Home effort year-round. Van Breemen says every little bit helps, from painters and cabinet makers donating their time to financial sponsors and ticket buyers. This widespread support is how the Acadiana Dream Home is able to raise as much money as similar markets, he adds.

“That’s a testament to Acadiana and their involvement in our project,” says Van Breemen. 

Whether they opted for dramatic wallpaper, bold color or wood slat panels, designers went big when it came to wall coverings in this year’s Dream Home. Their selections make a statement and showcase how to incorporate some of the latest trends in home design.

Do you want to support the 2024 home fundraiser?

Make contributions to Acadiana Dream Home Foundation by mailing a check made out to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to P.O. Box 52222 Lafayette, LA 70505. For additional details and a full list of vendors and sponsors visit: StJude.org/give/dreamhome/lafayette.html

BY MARIE ELIZABETH OLIVER

Do you want to know a secret? One of the best improvements you can make in your home doesn’t require buying anything. In fact, it’s the exact opposite, say organizing experts. “It’s a competition between stuff and space, and you have to decide what’s more important,” advises Anna Napier, professional organizer. Letting go of our things is a psychological hurdle we’re hardwired to resist, but the sweat is more than worth the payoff. So clean up and clear out, then follow these tips for breathing new life into your space — one room at a time.

SAVING SPACES

1 Entryway

Avoid the dreaded shoe pile by placing sturdy baskets or boxes below the bench. Gautreaux says this keeps overflow out of sight, but easily accessible.

Welcome home: Create an entryway that exudes warmth and stops clutter in its tracks.

First impressions are important, but an entryway is also your primary line of defense against clutter. Set yourself up for success by designating a separate family entrance, says professional organizer Jenny Gautreaux (completeorganization.com). Whether it’s a back or side door, she recommends outfitting this high-traffic space with plenty of hooks and a bench to remove shoes or temporarily house oversized items.

DROP SPACE

Gautreaux recommends placing a roundedframe mirror near your door. The circular shape adds balance, especially if the furniture piece below is more boxy.

Ready to make an entrance?

Mirror

Hang a mirror to brighten and open up the space. This classic accent can instantly make your foyer feel more inviting.

Plant

Add a touch of green, something as simple as a succulent, says Gautreaux, or make a bold statement with a large-scale plant.

Clock

A traditional timepiece adds flair, while keeping you and your guests running on time. Opt for one with an interesting shape.

Whether you go with something custom, antique or out-of-the-box, a multitasking piece of furniture is crucial to keep each entry point organized. “For the front entrance, you want it to be way more clutter-free and inviting,” says Gautreaux. Her go-to for this area is a chest of drawers, but she says a table or narrow desk can work in a pinch (bonus if it has at least one drawer). Hall trees, lockers or wall-mounted hooks are better suited for your family entrance. Read on to find the best fit for your needs.

Chest of Drawers

Opt for a chest of drawers with a cabinet below, which Gautreaux says is ideal for hiding a basket full of larger items, such as hats, scarves or shoes. The upper drawers can be used to stash keys, mail or pens, so your foyer stays tidy and ready for unexpected visitors.

Hall Tree

Gautreaux’s says hall trees are a great fit for your back or side entrance. Choose one that matches your vibe: Antique stores and online retailers have a variety of styles. Or, if you want something more versatile, create your own “tree” with a bench and wall-mounted hooks.

Light

Layer in some soft lighting by incorporating a table lamp or candle into this zone, suggests Gautreaux.

Built Ins

Even if you don’t have a huge mudroom, locker-style custom cubbies can be a game changer for kid accoutrements. When each person in the family has their own space, it gives everyone ownership and help promotes a unified organizational mission. Add bins and baskets as needed to contain miscellaneous items, says Gautreaux.

EXPERT Jenny Gautreaux, professional organizer and owner of Complete Organization, completeorganization.com, Instagram: @completeorganization

Napier insists it’s worth the extra effort to decant your most used seasonings from their packaging into a set of uniform, labeled containers. Bonus points for organizing them in alphabetical order. Store any back stock in the original canisters in your pantry or an out-ofthe-way cabinet.

Streamline your meal prep with smart planning.

Everyone’s favorite gathering spot can all too easily turn into a clutter magnet without the proper systems in place. Add a revolving door of groceries, and it’s a recipe for disaster. When it comes to organizing in the kitchen, less is more, says Anna Napier, professional organizer (inlineorganizing.com).

Take Stock

“Kitchens sometimes accumulate a lot of the same things, when you’re only using one or two of them,” says Napier. Store the excess and reclaim that space for the items you reach for the most.

Zoning Rules

Starting with the pantry, designate separate sections for snacks, baking, dinner, canned goods, etc. Follow the same method for cookware and dishes, but keep function top of mind. “It’s placing it in a spot that’s more conducive to how you live your life,” says Napier.

Go for Drawers

Napier says deep lower cabinets can often become a black hole. Instead, put your most used pots and pans in a deep drawer. If that’s not an option, try adding a slide-out shelf or pot rack.

Bring order to your pantry

Jars

It’s a cinch to find what you need and evaluate inventory with clear glass or plastic containers. Napier loves these for baking supplies, or kids’ snacks, like granola bars. Nothing is worse than reaching for your favorite treat, only to find an empty box.

Baskets

These work great for larger, sturdy grocery items you’ll likely have with a meal, says Napier. Think: chips, breads or rice. They can also be used to stow gear that might free up your drawers, such as potholders or napkins.

Labels

We all eat, so this is a space where it’s especially crucial to have buy-in from everyone in the house. Napier’s secret? “Labels are a way for you to boss people around without them knowing you’re bossing them around,” she says.

EXPERT Anna Napier, professional organizer and owner of In line Organizing, inlineorganizing.com, Instagram: @inlineorganizing

Reserve your upper cabinets for everyday dishes. Find an alternative home for anything sentimental, seasonal or special-occasion. You shouldn’t have to grab a ladder to reach your favorite dish, says Napier.

CURATE YOUR COFFEE STATION

Location, location, location. Anchor your coffee maker above a drawer or near a cabinet, where you can conveniently tuck away your cups and accessories— without taking up any more counter real estate. “The key to maintenance is to make it easy for yourself,” says Napier.

Living Room

Think like a pro: Upgrade your bookshelf

Edit

Sift through your books and weed out anything that doesn’t fit your current needs. Use the opportunity to stock up a nearby Little Free Library.

Categorize

Don’t worry if your memories of the Dewey Decimal System have faded. Try sorting by topic or author, depending on what makes more sense for your collection.

Color Code

You may not want to judge a book by its cover, but ROYGBIV-style sections can make it surprisingly easy to find what you’re looking for.

Highlight your collections by giving them space to shine.

One added perk of deep cleaning? You never know what treasures could be lurking in storage. “I think a lot of people have art and objects in their house that are scattered in closets and get put to the side,” says Nicole LeBlanc, designer and builder (nlbdesigns.com). A well-curated display can add personality to your walls and shelves. Strike the right chord by prioritizing quality over quantity.

Media Management

Vintage media, like vinyl (and, yes, even cassettes) are making a comeback. But those dusty boxes of CDs aren’t doing you any good if you don’t have anything to play them on. Turn your living room into a listening room with a sideboard or freestanding media cabinet. Reserve the top for a player or two and sort albums behind closed doors.

Gallery Wall

Turn any blank wall into a museum-worthy gallery with a few simple steps. LeBlanc recommends choosing pieces that speak to you, and then laying them out on the floor about the dimension of the wall space. She says they don’t all have to match, but you should aim for a reappearing color that can unite the objects. A mask or plate can add depth and texture.

Infuse your bar cart with local libations. LeBlanc recommends JT Meleck vodka or Wildcat Brothers rum. “It’s a conversation starter,” she says. Alcohol free? Use this spot to showcase houseplants and flowers.

Add Flair

Give your tomes some room to breathe. Alternate vertical and horizontal stacks, and mix in a few sentimental items.

Lamps

bring character, just pay attention to scale. LeBlanc loves layering sculptural floor lamps. Go for table lamps or sconces to glow-up smaller spaces.

EXPERT Nicole LeBlanc designer, builder and owner of NLB Designs nlbdesigns.com Instagram: @nicolelbdesign

WHERE TO LIVE NEXT

WHERE LIVE NEXT

Across its almost two dozen parishes and nearly 700 cities and towns, Acadiana is comprised of a rich tapestry of histories, cuisines and landscapes. Whether you’re searching for a small town steeped in Cajun culture, a tight-knit neighborhood with kid-friendly activities or a city with easy access to nature, here are some great places to look for your next Acadiana home.

Story by MARIE SIMONEAUX with development by MARIE ELIZABETH OLIVER

photos by HAYLEI SMITH

ARNAUDVILLE

A Small Town For a Foodie

If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to a small community brimming with heart, culture and community, Arnaudville is a great option. The town has a population of only about 1,000 people, but it’s a hub for Cajun dancing, music and some of the best food in the region.

Kevin Robin owns popular Arnaudville restaurant Little Big Cup, which he opened with his partner, Sanjay, in 2012. Robin was born and raised in Arnaudville, where his family’s roots run deep. His great grandfather opened a small grocery store there in the 1930s, and the store is still in business and family-run today.

Robin moved to New York City and lived there for about 20 years, before finding his way back to his hometown in 2011.

“I wanted to be somewhere where I could actually be a part of a community where I could effect real change. And in a city like New York,

very few people can make an impact, but in Arnaudville, I knew I could make a difference,” Robin said.

In the years since he’s been back, Robin said he’s watched Arnaudville experience a renaissance, which he is proud to have been a part of.

“I think the true credit is that Arnaudville has always had a very strong cultural identity. We held on to the old ways of doing things, and that’s helped to put us on the map.”

Tourism is a big part of Ardaudville’s economy, Robin said, with people visiting to get a peek at life in an authentic Cajun town.

HONORABLE MENTION Opelousas

For foodies seeking a somewhat larger place to settle, Opelousas is a fantastic place to look. With a population sitting around 15,000, the city has maintained its small-town Cajun feel. Opelousas is the state’s third-oldest city and claims the title “spice capital of the world.” Like Arnaudville, the city hosts a variety of festivals and is home to a number of celebrated restaurants.

Top Real Estate Professionals

Methodology The agents in this feature were selected through a submission process analyzed and vetted by Professional Research Services. Agents were asked to submit their sales volume over a specified 12-month period. Sales volumes were required to be accompanied by proof (MLS numbers/letter from broker/letter from accountant). Submissions were open to residential real estate agents working within Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion and West Baton Rouge parishes. Once the submissions were collected, PRS established a cutoff based on the top 5 percent to 10 percent of volumes submitted. All agents above this cutoff were named Top Real Estate Professionals for 2021. Additionally, the selected agents had the option to endorse up three mortgage professionals within the market area. The mortgage professionals listed were added to a separate list of Top Mortgage Professionals.

“That’s been a huge draw for visitors, but also for bringing our young people back who might have otherwise moved to New York or New Orleans or somewhere like that, which is exactly what I did for a time,” he said. “But now, because we really celebrate our history and traditions, people want to stay and make something for themselves here.”

For a town of its size, Arnaudville boasts a surprising number of shops, eateries and attractions. In addition to the Little Big Cup, there’s the Bayou Teche Brewery, NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, and Myran’s restaurant, to name a few.

The town hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including the annual étouffée festival, a Bastille Day celebration and Le Feu et L’eau, which showcases local arts and culture.

“It’s a small town, but we have a lot going on,” Robin said.

TEAMS

Caitlin Hebert & Team

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-680-0323

Carole/Calvin Team

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-258-4073

Debbie/Suzanne Team

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

832-509-9422

Get Sold Team

Latter & Blum

New Iberia

337-519-4773

Hailey and AC

Latter & Blum

Youngsville

337-349-9370

Keaty Real Estate Team

Keaty Real Estate

Lafayette

337-235-7770

McDaniel/Braun Team

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-0463

Team Lisa and Denise

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-5239

Team of Allen Amy Corey

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-356-1943

Teresa Hamilton & Team

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-8687

AGENTS

Drake Abshire EXP Realty Lafayette 337-316-0479

Douglas Adams Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-552-3815

Patricia Adler

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-501-9093

A Place Fit for Families

ELLENDALE, HOUMA

Houma’s Ellendale neighborhood is a great option for families seeking a safe haven full of fun, kid-friendly activities. Featuring tree-lined streets and the city’s only country club complete with swimming pool, tennis courts, a golf course and restaurant — Ellendale is a perfect destination for higherincome families with independent kids who like to stay busy.

The neighborhood also has its own levee system, protecting it from the levels of flooding surrounding areas experience. Plus, with only one road and no pass-through streets, Ellendale is a great place for “free-range kids,” according to realtor and Houma native Melanie Bruce.

“Going through the neighborhood, you’re always going to see kids playing outside, riding their bikes, or walking down the street,” Bruce said. “Most of the kids who live in Ellendale take golf or tennis classes, which are just down the street at the country club. It’s great for parents, because the kids can get themselves there no problem, and they don’t have to worry about traffic.”

The neighborhood is also a destination for trick-ortreating on Halloween and holiday decorations in the winter, which Bruce said are some of the best in the city.

“Overall, Ellendale is very family-friendly. It’s a great place to raise kids, and residents who don’t have children are also passionate about keeping it that way,” she said.

Most Ellendale families choose to send their kids to private schools, Bruce said, but there’s some great options for both Catholic and non-denominational choices nearby.

The neighborhood was established in the 1960s, according to Bruce, and features mostly large ranchstyle homes, with some

HONORABLE

Greenbriar Estates

Lafayette’s Greenbriar Estates is another great option for higher-income families looking to settle down in Acadiana. Known for its quiet streets and easy downtown access, Greenbriar Estates is also within walking distance from Moncus Park, which frequently hosts family-friendly events and programs. With several good schools in the area, it’s a desirable location for families with kids of all ages.

Harold Anderson

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette 337-412-8769

Andrew Angerer

Century 21 Action Realty

Lafayette 337-706-2103

Stacey Arceneaux

Latter & Blum

Lafayette 337-257-7234

Frederick Arsement Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette 337-654-9200

Emily Babineaux Keaty Real Estate, LLC

Lafayette 337-278-6469

Michelle Badeaux

Latter & Blum

Lafayette 337-366-7940

Cindy Bailey

Latter & Blum

Lafayette 337-281-2909

Alok Banga

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette 337-781-5865

mid-century modern gems thrown in the mix, along with Greek revival, colonial, and Tudor-inspired architecture. Most residents own their homes, according to Bruce, and the majority of listing prices start around $850,000.

Bruce was born and raised in Houma and she said the city as a whole is very familyoriented. In the past decade or so, she said the area has seen a surge in people returning to their roots.

“When I was growing up, people weren’t really doing much to preserve the Cajun heritage here. Over the past few years, there’s definitely been a big shift in efforts to bring that back into daily life,” Bruce said.

Ellendale is a quick drive to downtown Houma, where Bruce said numerous organizations host regular Cajun and Zydeco workshops, French lessons and showcase culture that once risked being forgotten to time.

Eric Blood Coldwell Banker

Ingle Safari Lake Charles 337-540-8061

Cheryl Boullion

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette 337-654-5521

Jon Bourgoyne Century 21 Action Realty

Houma

985-498-8239

Amy Britt Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Lake Charles 337-563-1900

Blair Broussard District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette 337-704-7101

Isha Broussard Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-298-2323

Lori Broussard Latter & Blum New Iberia 985-519-1845

Rose Chaisson Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-278-6314

Michael Chapple Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-366-5376

Amy Charrier Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-212-9830

Alma Criddle Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-288-3363

Reba Crochet District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette 337-658-8024

Pam Crutti Realty Executives South Louisiana Prairieville 225-413-6762

Kathy Daigle Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-280-5160

Lulu David Rhodes Realty Lafayette 337-296-3643

James Barnard Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-692-1277

Charles Baudoin

Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-654-6881

Kiwi Bautista Bridge Realty Group

Lafayette 337-706-4445

Kristin Bellanger GL Realty Group LLC

Luling 985-856-2073

Shelby BennettDubé

GL Realty Group LLC Luling 504-462-0146

Carrie Billeaud

EXP Realty

Lafayette 337-258-5379

Kristen Blanchard

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette 361-727-7271

Lyndsie Blanchard Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lake Charles 337-513-6938

Shannon Broussard District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette 337-315-0654

Glenda Bryan Latter & Blum Youngsville 337-251-3216

Lisa Bucher Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-288-9255

Walter Campbell Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-251-6500

Raquell Carrington Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-278-7293

Michelle Cart Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-344-8050

Trey Case Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Lake Charles 337-526-2848

Giovanna Castille Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-251-7380

Teri Desormeaux Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-315-6116

Crissy Domma Realty Executives South Louisiana Prairieville

225-910-2190

Bailey Dowden Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-853-2557

Melanie Doyle Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-349-8981

Francis Allen Duhé Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-254-7812

Jennifer Duhon Century 21 Action Realty Lafayette

337-704-9021

Drusilla Ellender Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Lake Charles 337-274-1320

Tina Estilette Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-247-1790

Calling All Nature Lovers

MAIN STREET/ CITY PARK, NEW IBERIA

Nestled between the banks of Bayou Teche, this neighborhood has easy access to the water, lush walking trails, bike paths and more. Plus, New Iberia is less than a half hour away from both Avery and Jefferson Islands, two of the region’s premiere outdoor attractions.

The neighborhood is located in the city’s historic district and is home to about 8,000 of the city’s 28,000 residents. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the area is full of charming homes in an eclectic mix of architectural styles.

While nature isn’t far from reach anywhere in the city, the Main Street/City Park area is a destination for New Iberians seeking an outdoor oasis within city limits. The park itself sits on the bayou, where visitors can enjoy an oak-shaded walking path, a fishing pond, a playground and more.

The city’s retail hub is just a short trek from City Park, including the Church Alley pedestrian walkway, which

is also the starting point of a roughly 3-mile bike trail. Siblings Phyllis Belanger and Bo Belanger grew up in the area and now live across the street from each other’s Main Street homes, and said people flock to the neighborhood to enjoy the park and surrounding areas.

Another popular outdoor attraction is the neighborhood’s new boat launch, which the Belangers said was put in as the community started to “reorient” itself to the bayou.

“The bayou is a big deal, and it’s becoming more so,” Bo said. “It was a big deal when we were growing up, and I think it kind of went through a period, when you didn’t see a lot of people in the bayou anymore. But

now, there are always a bunch of kayakers in the water and it’s definitely becoming popular again.”

Like many New Iberians, the Belangers enjoy frequent day trips to Avery Island, Jefferson Island and Cypremort Point State Park, all of which are within a 30-minute drive from their homes.

“We love going out there, it’s like stepping into another world,” Phyllis said. “It’s such a treat to live so close to so many unique and beautiful places.”

Aside from outdoor activities, residents of the Main Street/City Park area enjoy easy access to a community theater, bars and restaurants, and a public library.

HONORABLE MENTION

Prien Lake

If you’re more into water sports than land-based activities, consider checking out homes in Lake Charles’ Prien Lake area. On the east side of the lake — an historic waterway where 19th-century schooners once sailed — is a popular park featuring a boat launch, playground, walking paths, picnic areas, and more.

April Faul

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

225-360-5510

Jennifer Fialeix Century 21 Action

Realty

Houma

985-856-5132

Alyson Finch District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-280-9651

Steven Floyd Coldwell Banker Ingle

Safari Lake Charles

337-274-5684

Tiffany Fontaine

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-258-9388

Terry Foreman

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-280-3493

Christine Foret

Century 21 Action

Realty

Houma

985-856-7787

Aj Francis Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337- 849-2668

Tricia Freeman Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-288-2880

Paige Gary District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-412-8977

Melissa Gaubert District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-257-8129

Lynne Gautreaux Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-315-6265

Deborah Gill Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-654-1235

Dawn Gotreaux Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-356-6537

Kayla Granger District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-354-7069

Diana Greene Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-739-3938

Sam Griffin Century 21 Action

Realty Houma

985-665-6356

Brian Griggs Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lake Charles

337-794-4016

Carolyn Groner Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-578-4345

Melissa Guilliot

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-781-9658

Thomas Hayes

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-280-0480

Rachel Hebert

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-371-2228

Wesley Hebert Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-258-5062

Clare Hensarling

Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-849-8861

Robert Hillard Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-692-8474

Deborah Horaist Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-534-3289

Lucius Hornsby Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-344-9949

Stephen Hundley Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-789-6538

Kristi Huval Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-356-1211

Charles Ilonya Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-344-9875

Robbie Ingle Coldwell Banker Ingle

Safari Lake Charles 337-304-0481

Mindy Ivanicky

Realty Executives

South Louisiana

Prairieville

225-715-6996

Dennis Jones

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-852-5236

Krystal Jones

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-335-5140

Lauren Jones

GL Realty Group LLC

Luling

504-812-4020

Amel Kates District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-900-7653

Erin King Realty Executives

South Louisiana

Prairieville

225-681-0161

Jamie Knight

District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-654-3174

Lisa Krause Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-342-0206

Jessica LaCourse Broussard Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-200-0048

Brandon Landry EXP Realty Lafayette

337-852-8210

Lexi Langlinais

Anthony District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-579-8355

Amy Larriviere

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-230-4899

Rhett Ledet

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-257-9299

Natalie Leon

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-2661

Tashiah Lewis

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-280-0429

Selena Lormand

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-962-6305

Cameron Luquette

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-962-7862

Mandy Luquette

RE/MAX Acadiana

Lafayette

337-412-8277

Virginia Luquette

Realty Executives

South Louisiana

Prairieville

225-715-9234

Jacqueline Lyle Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-781-1273

Sandy Mann

Latter & Blum

Youngsville

337-288-3707

Stefanie Mars

SMRG Real Estate

Baton Rouge

225-205-6044

William Mccarthy

Latter & Blum

Youngsville

337-739-0938

Wendy Mccombie

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-277-0590

Scott Mccubbin

Century 21 Action Realty

Houma

985-217-7284

Twila McFarland

Coldwell Banker Ingle

Safari Lake Charles

337-912-9913

Benjamin Mcgehee Latter & Blum

Youngsville

504-343-2357

Jasmine Mcgehee

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-7777

Tatsi Mckissick

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lake Charles

337-424-6000

Brandi Mcknight RE/MAX Acadiana

Lafayette

337-316-1320

Sylvia Mclain District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-349-0470

Lauren Meche

RE/MAX Acadiana

Lafayette

337-207-1254

Angel Metrejean

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-298-2638

Setareh MirianDelcambre

Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-344-0067

Michele Montesano Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-298-8899

Noelle Montgomery District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-319-4873

Michelle Mouton Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lafayette

337-371-1033

Cody Musgrove District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-962-4296

Wallace Myers Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lake Charles

337-368-7553

Yvette Naquin-Guidry District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-501-3231

Brandy Nichols

GL Realty Group LLC

Luling

504-390-3381

Karen Northcutt

Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari

Lake Charles

337-499-9811

Kimberly Nugent

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana

Lafayette

337-306-0331

Jammie Parbhoo Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-739-0290

Midge Parker Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-278-4142

Ryan Parrish District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-366-3381

Amanda Peacock RE/MAX Acadiana

Lafayette

337-257-3938

Tiffany Pellerin

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

702-239-1448

John Perkins Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-654-9480

Ryan Petticrew Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette

337-255-7481

Kim Pham Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-322-8682

Deborah Pierce Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette

337-316-0951

Jalyn Plaisance District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-356-2285

Melanie Poehler Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-654-0822

Julie Politz District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-296-3733

Kane Racca Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette

337-412-3731

Lindsey Reed District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette 337-303-3987

Derek Rhodes Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette

225-200-3289

Colby Richard Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-290-3551

Diana Richard Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-349-7586

Padgette Richard Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-288-6334

Kreshonda Robertson Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-704-1134

Shane Robichaux Century 21 Action

Realty

Houma

985-870-0400

Kay Rockweiler

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-412-1860

Emily Rosenquist Bridge Realty Group Lafayette

337-399-3915

Nicole Rowell Realty Executives

South Louisiana

Prairieville 225-936-4250

Nick Saloom

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-277-9782

Kristian Salvador Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana

Lake Charles 337-853-8400

Jonetta Sam

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-280-7494

Walter Sampson

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-384-8849

Miles Santiago

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-308-2595

Teresa Scarsella Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-962-3362

Kirk Schexnaider Latter & Blum

Youngsville 337-962-2894

Candra Scott District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-500-5593

Forrest Sillavan Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-303-8165

Kaysha Sims

Coldwell Banker Ingle

Safari Lake Charles 337-842-3008

Arla Slaughter Latter & Blum

Lafayette 337-344-5263

Brandy Smith EXP Realty

Lafayette 337-962-6733

Lana Soileau

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-945-1324

Jennifer Steen Latter & Blum

Lafayette 337-296-4670

Krystal Steward One Way Realty LLC

Lake Charles 337-302-4258

Jennifer Stonicher

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-781-4932

Susan Strait Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-501-4047

Kelly Streva Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-356-9835

Tyler Summerlin

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-230-3850

Linda Taylor Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 337-945-2467

Jan Terhune

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 985-804-0714

Shonna Theriot Century 21 Action Realty

Houma 985-868-4663

Leah Thibaut Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette 225-721-1208

Sandy Thibodeaux Latter & Blum Lafayette 337-278-6217

Lucinda Tillman

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-577-1459

Lori Trumps

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette 337-739-2791

Dana Turpin

Coldwell Banker Ingle

Safari Lake Charles

337-485-0244

Merrick Valentino Latter & Blum

Lafayette

337-288-3987

Christi Van Eaton District South Real Estate Co. Lafayette

337-654-6700

Mark Van Eaton District South Real Estate Co.

Lafayette

337-654-5700

Leticia Verhage

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-212-0125

Natalie Vied

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-255-7158

Mary Beth Walsh

NextHome Cutting Edge Realty

Lafayette

318-237-0462

David Walther

Keller Williams Realty Acadiana Lafayette

337-254-1932

Sara Whitney Latter & Blum Lafayette

337-501-7129

Mikaela Wiggins

Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

720-299-2400

Tracy Wood Keller Williams Realty

Acadiana Lafayette

337-298-4595

MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS

Corey Albarado Bank of England Mortgage

Lafayette

337-278-7687

Jason Alexander Family First Mortgage Lafayette 337-993-5626

Caroline Arceneaux Executive Mortgage

Lafayette

337-806-9300

Liz Breaux GMFS Mortgage

Lafayette 337-278-3834

Corey Burgess Central Mortgage Lafayette 214-886-0912

Shannon Connelly Universal Lending Services Inc.

Lafayette 337-349-1961

Sarah Cooley Neighborly Home Lending

Lafayette 337-806-9940

Scott Dailey Executive Mortgage

Lafayette

337-806-9300

Aimia «Mimi» Doucet GMFS Mortgage Lafayette 337-257-4999

Justin Doucet GMFS Mortgage

Lafayette 337-250-2178

Tara Gaspar Preferred Lending Solutions

Broussard 337-852-1446

Terri Gondron Priority Mortgage

Lafayette 337-289-0550

Todd Guidry Preferred Lending Solutions

Broussard 337-280-3163

Erin LaFont NOLA Lending Group

Lafayette

337-789-7381

Tracey Lassere Assurance Financial Group, LLC

Lafayette

337-257-9146

Phyllis Miller Standard Mortgage Corporation

Lafayette

337-298-6672

Fabio Passos Milestone Mortgage

Lafayette 337-381-2130

Aimee Power

Approved Mortgage, LLC

Lafayette

720-616-2017

Chris Quebedeaux Approved Mortgage, LLC

Lafayette

337-344-3199

Jesse Regan Preferred Lending Solutions

Broussard

337-258-9992

Brian Reulet First American Bank and Trust Boutte

985-785-8902

Austin Shumaker

Neighborly Home Lending

Lafayette

337-806-9940

Kim Smith NOLA Lending Group

Lafayette

337-288-2731

Lauren Tylock Assurance Financial Group, LLC

Lafayette

337-258-3783

Sandy Vongbounemy Milestone Mortgage

Lafayette

337-381-2130

Kindred Cocktails

The Curious George at the new Tap Room in Youngsville is a fusion of classics nuanced with notes of cotton candy

BY LISA LEBLANC-BERRY

PHOTO BY ROMERO & ROMERO

The enticing Enzoni cocktail, created by bartender Vincenzo Errico of Milk & Honey in New York in the early 2000s, is a modernized hybrid of a classic Negroni (gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and an orange peel) and Gin Sour (gin, lemon juice and simple syrup) elevated with muddled grapes in place of vermouth. Requests for Enzoni cocktails surge during Negroni Week (Sept. 18-24), when thousands of bars and restaurants raise money for charity by promoting Negronis with its myriad variations.

Youngsville’s new Tap Room has a signature Curious George cocktail that kicks up the Enzoni a notch by muddling juicy cotton candy grapes with a flavor that smacks of old fashioned spun sugar. Plump with a tantalizing pop, and far sweeter than other varieties, the grapes are available through September.

“The Curious George is our spin on the classic Enzoni cocktail,” says Anna Goodson Stringer of Southern Hospitality Kitchens (Charley G’s, Social Southern Table & Bar, Marcello’s, Pete’s and both Tap Room locations in Lafayette’s River Ranch and Youngsville’s Sugar Mill Pond).

“It’s a lighter and more approachable Negroni offshoot,” she adds. “The floral Bombay Sapphire gin paired with the bitter Campari is the backbone of the cocktail elevated with our fresh lemon juice that adds an acidic bite. We decided to give it a spin by muddling cotton candy grapes instead of green grapes. It’s garnished with grapes and an orange peel over a large, single cube of ice in a rocks glass.”

The latest Tap Room exudes sophistication, elevated with a sleek design and expanded menus. But it still has that same welcoming pub feel and remains a magnet for the afterwork cocktail crowd and sports enthusiasts gathering for the big game. 

Negroni Week in September is the perfect excuse to try this twist on a classic

THE TAP ROOM 200 PRESCOTT BLVD., SUITE 101 SUGAR MILL POND YOUNGSVILLE LATAPROOM.COM

HOME BAR

Curious George

Muddle 4-5 cotton candy grapes with ¼ ounce simple syrup and ¾ ounce lemon juice. Add 1½ ounces Bombay Sapphire gin, 1 ounce Campari and ice. Shake vigorously and double strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Garnish with 3 skewered grapes and a twist of orange.

PALATE PLEASERS

As far as the Boulet men of Crowley are concerned, the restaurant life may be grueling, time-consuming, and sometimes headache causing; but they are thoroughly involved for one reason.

“It’s a calling,” said Peter John Boulet Jr. The 36-year-old is holding the fort down the day we take the time to talk about PJ’s Grill.

Sitting inside the restaurant which boasts two huge rice silos in the front of the main restaurant area — this is where cool outdoor eating takes place — Boulet asks me a question.

“Do you know what Boulet means?” he says.

Actually, I don’t,” I reply.

“In French, Boulet means meatball,” he answers. Added evidence that the Boulet men are cosmically connected to food and restaurants … remember, it is their calling.

Boulet explains that his father Peter John Boulet, Sr. began his restaurant career working as a general manager at Burger Tyme in Lafayette. The senior Boulet eventually started working with his father Billy who owned several Sonic Drive-Ins and two Luther’s Bar-B-Qs.

BY ERIC CORMIER PHOTOS BY JOSEPH VIDRINE

“My dad got his food business stripes at the Luther’s in Little Rock that my grandfather owned. The business has been in our blood a long time,” Boulet Jr. explains.

Third-generation restaurateurs follow their family’s calling at PJ's Grill in Crowley

Breakfast in the land of rice starts with eggs, onions, bell peppers and cheese. Add some salsa and you have PJ’s version of the Mexican omelet. The potatoes and toast enhance the delicious breakfast.

Aside from plate lunches, diners have a variety of delicious and wellprepared menu selections at PJ’s. Po’ boys filled with seafood have been making customers happy for years. Salads and dressed stuffed potatoes are favorites, too.

TRY THIS!

1

Fiesta omelet

A breakfast consisting of a three-egg omelet filled with onions, bell peppers, cheese, salsa, grilled potato squares and toast is too delicious to pass up. 2

Popeye & Olive

Named after a beloved cartoon couple, one of which loves spinach, the Popeye & Olive is a crowd pleaser. This gourmet burger is made with spinach and oil — hence the name — vinegar, avocado, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and provolone cheese. 3

Coach Cassedy

How in the heck can any selfrespecting catfish or crawfish lover pass on a po’ boy with fried or grilled catfish topped with crawfish?

Immediately, a flavor-induced memory pops into my mind the minute I recall eating at Burger Tyme.

“You guys know the recipe for that spicy burger with onions?” I ask, having eaten an untold amount of those burgers at the restaurant in the 1990s.

PJ’S GRILL 2021 N. PARKERSON AVE. CROWLEY PJSGRILLCROWLEY.COM

Boulet Jr. smiles and provides some crucial Acadiana area hamburger knowledge.

“They have the Cajun Blaze. We make one called the Cajun Blast with a barbecue sauce, jalapeños, fried onions and cheddar cheese. We use my uncle Brian

Boulet’s seasoning and barbecue sauce. He owns Cajun Blast Southern Seasoning,” Boulet explains. With it unequivocally proven that the Boulets are food enthusiasts of the highest fashion, the most logical question sitting inside the restaurant — that featured crawfish étouffée over rice and veggies as the plate lunch of the day — is what do people order the most when they walk through the doors of PJ’s?

Dishes and their descriptions started rolling off Boulet’s tongue like he was a radio DJ reviewing the week’s Top 40 hits.

“The Bon Temp Boulet, which is a grilled chicken sandwich, sells all the time. Our beignets which were voted number one in Acadiana Times for years are

second best only to Café Du Monde in New Orleans. And our biggest seller is the Philadelphia Lawyer which is our version of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, only we make it into a hamburger.”

Let’s pause for a moment to take in the idea of a cheesesteak burger.

Yes, the burger has grilled onions, grilled peppers, and grilled mushrooms, plus it’s topped with provolone cheese and beef gravy.

“Oh, and our turkey club sandwich is ordered all the time, too. The folks in Crowley love it,” Boulet said.

I left PJ’s with my mind, body and palate in a delightful place.

Yes, food is a calling for the Boulet clan. ■

was put on PJ’s menu. The beef burger includes oil, spinach, vinegar, avocado, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and

The Popeye & Olive has been exciting palates since this burger

provolone cheese.

SUMMER SEAFOOD

A simple supper for the season

BY MARCELLE BIENVENU

PHOTO & STYLING BY EUGENIA UHL

When I was a youngster, my family celebrated Labor Day weekend by gathering for what we considered was the last holiday of the summer. Mama and Papa’s menu for the day never changed. Barbecued chicken, cooked long and slow on the locally made grill fashioned with a 55-gallon barrel. The aroma tickled our taste buds. Sides were potato salad tossed with Mama’s homemade mayonnaise, green bean casserole and French bread from LeJeune’s Bakery in Jeanerette slathered with barbecue sauce. Dessert was plenty of homemade ice cream.

But there were times we spent the holiday weekend at our camp at Cypremort Point on Vermilion Bay where we caught dozens of crabs from our covered pier. There, the menu was a plethora of crab delights. Everyone helped with peeling the crabs so we ate as we supplied crabmeat to the cooks who labored over the stoves throughout the day. 

Henry’s Barbecued Crabs

These barbecued crabs are a creation of an old friend, Henry Mayer.

2 dozen live blue crabs salt

cayenne pepper

2½ sticks butter , melted

2 tablespoons Zatarain’s Concentrated Shrimp & Crab Boil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 ⁄3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon paprika

1. Run very hot tap water over live crabs in sink. This will stun them so they can’t pinch. Pull the back off the crab, clean out dead man fingers, lungs and center of the crabs. Crack claws, but do not remove the shells.

2. Sprinkle crabs generously with salt and cayenne. Combine butter, liquid boil, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire and paprika in a small saucepan. With a basting brush, brush about one-third of the sauce all over crabs.

3. Place crabs, cavity side down, on a medium to low fire and close lid of the pit. Cook for about 10 minutes. Turn crabs over and fill cavities with more butter sauce. Close lid and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. Time will vary according to the heat of the fire and the size of the crabs. Brush remaining butter sauce on crabs and serve immediately. Makes 6 servings

1 teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

²⁄3 cup chopped black olives

½ cup chopped green onions

¼ cup chopped parsley

Paprika

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

2. Cut loaves in half lengthwise. Spread bread evenly with melted butter. Spread mayonnaise evenly over butter. Sprinkle cheeses over mayonnaise and sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper. Top with olives, green onions, parsley and sprinkle with paprika. Place loaves on a sheet pan and bake until cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Slice and serve immediately. Makes about 10 servings

ON THE SIDE

Best Coleslaw

2 cups shredded white cabbage

2 cups shredded red cabbage

1 cup shredded spinach

1 green bell pepper , thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper , thinly sliced

1 cup thinly sliced red onions

2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños

½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 cup mayonnaise

¼ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons Creole mustard

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons sugar

ON THE SIDE

Italian Cheese Bread

2 large or 4 small loaves of French bread

1 stick butter , melted

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Toss cabbage, spinach, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, and parsley in a large salad bowl.

2. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, mustard, salt, pepper and sugar and mix well.

3. Add mixture to salad bowl and toss to mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Makes 6 to 8 servings

To get the recipe for Crab Puffs, visit acadianaprofile.com

A chilled coleslaw is my choice for this menu.

La Butte des chiens

Le zarico et les chevaux dans un voisinage créole

PAR DAVID CHERAMIE

ILLUSTRATION

PAR SARA WILLIA

Dans le sud du Lac Charles, sur la rue Common, il existait un voisinage comme on ne reverra peutêtre plus jamais. Une exception maintenant, les communautés soudées, par nécessité et par choix, était plutôt la norme à l’époque. Parfois liés par la parenté, souvent par le besoin de partager le travail et les célébrations de la vie, les habitants de la Butte des chiens ont formé un de ces groupes uniques. Elle a produit un homme qui s’est distingué dans deux domaines souvent associés chez les Créoles : le zarico et les chevaux. Les randonnées à cheval en témoignent du lien intime. Wilson Chavis, Sr., dit Boozoo, était non seulement un des grands de la musique zarico avec une carrière en deux volets, mais aussi un entraineur de chevaux de course hautement recherché. « Mo gain papier dans mon soulier », raconte l’histoire d’un jeune homme pauvre qui, faute de pouvoir s’acheter de nouvelles chaussures, mettait du papier dans ses souliers troués. Sortie en 1954, avec plus 100,000 exemplaires vendus, la chanson était un énorme succès. Malgré sa popularité, méfiance du côté parfois malhonnête de l’industrie musicale l’a décidé de quitter la scène et de se consacrer aux chevaux de course pendant une vingtaine d’année.

Il continuait néanmoins à jouer pour son plaisir jusqu’au jour où il a remarqué que le zarico passait de plus en plus à la radio. Selon ses propres dires, cette musique n’était pas aussi bonne que la sienne. Après un long hiatus, qu’il a repris l’accordéon avec la même ferveur que pour les chevaux. Habillé de son chapeau de cowboy et de son

tablier imperméable pour protéger son instrument de la sueur, Boozoo était de retour sur scène. Son voisinage a été immortalisé dans une autre de ses chansons les plus connues, « La Butte des chiens ». Sortie en 1990, elle a aidé à relancer sa carrière vers le haut pour atteindre une popularité qu’il n’avait pas connue auparavant. C’est au sommet que cette carrière a malheureusement pris fin. En 2001, il a succombé à une crise cardiaque qu’il a subi sur scène. Comme un vrai cowboy, il est décédé dans ses bottes.

Le musicien zarico Sean Ardoin se rappelle avec nostalgie les concerts que Boozoo et sa famille donnaient à la Butte des chiens. « Il n’y avait jamais de problème. Tout le monde se respectait. Le respect, ça manque aujourd’hui. » Cette célébration était toujours le jour de la fête du Travail. Le fils de Boozoo, Wilson Jr., dit Pancho, raconte, « le monde venait de partout. C’était devenu tellement grand qu’on a dû trouver un endroit plus grand. » En 2019, le 35e et dernier festival a eu lieu, victime comme tant d’autres, du COVID. Pour l’instant, il n’y a pas de plans de recommencer mais, comme dit Pancho, « ce n’est pas hors de question. » En attendant son retour, on peut encore danser le zarico à « La Butte des chiens, ayoù y a toutes les jolies femmes. » ■

For an English translation visit AcadianaProfile.com