New food and drinks on the block
Stop and smell the roses at Tap 65, 515 Mouton St., Baton Rouge with the "Smell the Roses" cocktail, made with a blend of Empress 1908 elderflower rose gin, Sipsmith strawberry gin, zesty lemon, lavender syrup and rosewater.
Hayride Scandal, 5110 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, rolled out a few new drinks for the spring and summer menu. Try a "Violet Cowgirl" with tequila, violette, génépi, lime and soda or a "Catamaran" with cognac, pineapple, rum and falernum. The bar also introduced an old fashioned buffet starting at $5 every Tuesday for customers to try out a bevy of bitters, syrups and liqueurs.
There are seven new taco Tuesday specials at Zippy's, 3155 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge. For $3.75 each, pick from the "Love Shaq U" with steak, black beans, rice, onions and salsa; the "Porkins Road Overpass" with pork, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole sauce, cheese and onions or five other tasty options.
In the know
Pop Up Market: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Mid City Beer Garden, 3808 Government St., Baton Rouge
In collaboration with Ellemnop.Art, the market will feature artists, makers and creatives with local, unique products to shop.
A Taste of Fresh Food fest: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at 1955 Dallas Drive, Baton Rouge
Explore nonmeat dishes and treats at this street food festival for vegetarians, vegans, veg-curious and those who love fresh, local dishes and offerings. The event is free to attend, but tickets must be purchased at www.atasteoffresh.com.
Wine and spirits
Share a Splash: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Martin's, 6463 Moss Side Lane, Baton Rouge
Special guest Barbara Jurbala of Share a Slash Wine Co. will be at Martin's to discuss a lineup that includes Twin Vines Vinho Verde, Astrolabe Pinot Noir, Angels and Cowboys Brut Rosé and more.
Tickets are $25 per person, available for purchase at eventbrite.com.
Lazy Louisiana Brunch: 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 28, at The 121, 121 Convention St., Baton Rouge
Indulge in a delicious Louisiana spread with lump crab salad, beignets, praline chicken and waffles, grits Manchac, bananas foster pain perdue and more. That's not all. There's hurricane towers, mimosas and bloody marys on deck, too. The Chris Leblanc Band will provide live entertainment.
Tickets are $62 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under, available for purchase at eventbrite.com.
Spring rosé tasting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Bin 77, 10111 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge
Taste and try over 20 rosés from around the world, along with passed hors d'ourves and paella from Solera. Live music will start at 6:30 p.m. for a perfect night on the patio. Tickets are $50 per person, available for purchase at resy.com.
Wine tasting dinner: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Crowne Plaza Executive Center, 4728 Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge
Feeling fancy? Want to support a cause? The wine dinner at Crowne Plaza will feature a five-course menu with music from Opera Louisiane to support the musical organization. The menu includes pan-seared octopus vegetable salad paired with a Giacosa Fratelli 2022 Arneis Roero Arneis; beef tenderloin, foie gras and a port wine demi glaze paired with a Banfi 2018 Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino; Ed Baker's cheesecake paired with a Ceretto Moscato D'asti Vignaioli Di Santo Stefano 2022 and more.
Tickets are $150 per person, available for purchase by emailing sales@executivecenterbr.com. All retail wine proceeds will go to Opera Louisiane.
Food adds so much to the equation of living well. It can be all the things — luxurious, cheap, communal, intimate, simple and complex. In Baton Rouge, the culinary scene ranges the complete spectrum of senses.
This weekly space brings you insider foodie news, helpful tips and details of food/wine events for all of your bon vivant aspirations. Email Lauren Cheramie with food news at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.com.