Live from Randol's Dancehall

After a whole day of Mardi Gras parades and parties, we headed over to Randol's Restaurant et Salle de Danse, for some boiled crawfish and a little dancing. The place was packed with Mardi Gras revelers, dancing to the Cajun sounds of Kevin Naquin and Ossun Express. Since this is one of my favorite bands, I danced more than my share of songs. Then our crawfish came and once we started eating, we couldn't stop. Cest bon, cher!

What a blast! Lassier Les Bon Ton Rouler!

Le Bon Vieux Temps Noel + Pecan Pralines

After a delicious Sunday brunch at home, we decided to take a break from Christmas shopping and headed out to find some fun. Vermilion Ville, a Cajun/Creole Heritage and Folklife Park, was having their annual Le Bon Vieux Temps Noel. The weather was warm and balmy which was perfect for walking around the grounds, along the Vermilion Bayou and attending the various activities planned for the day. 

There was a Praline Cooking demonstration at the Cooking School, L'ecole de Cuisine. Margo Latiolais was making pralines, a delicacy among Cajuns, and gave out samples to the guests. When I tell you that these were the best pralines that I have ever eaten. Ca' Cest Bon'! Old fashioned craft demonstrations were held all day and many children enjoyed learning the art of candle making.

The Jambalaya Cajun Band played in The Performance Center, Le Jour de Fete, from 1-4 pm., where there was a whole lot of dancing going on. Then someone told us that they were serving a delicious Christmas buffet at the restaurant, La Cuisine de Maman. Who could resist an all you can eat Cajun Christmas buffet! (highly recommended) A perfect ending to an enjoyable day.

Margo's Pecan Pralines

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
2 Tbls. melted butter
2 Tbls vanilla
2 cups pecans, whole or chopped

*Mix brown and white sugar,and evaporated milk
*Continue cooking on medium heat until mixture reaches a softball stage
*Stir constantly and add butter, vanilla, and pecans
*Continue cooking about 1 minute or until mixture is thick again
*Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper

Enjoy!

Fun on Saturday Mornings

If you're looking for a place where you can eat a good breakfast and get a little dancing in, too, Cafe' des Amis,' in Breaux Bridge, La., is perfect. Every Saturday morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the popular restaurant hosts a Zydeco breakfast, featuring a Zydeco band and breakfast entrees such as Eggs Begnaud with eggs, your way, and your choice of crawfish etouffee or crawfish au gratin, and homemade biscuits. Other favorites include grilled boudin patties, beignets, and couche couche. And, of course, lots of strong Louisiana coffee, or even a little champagne or beer.

 After a good breakfast, you are asked to kindly give up your table to make room for the dancers that didn't quite get enough dancing in, on Friday night. A great way to burn off any extra calories from the rich, decadent breakfast. True to Cajun tradition, the cafe' caters to locals and visitors alike. Conveniently located right off 1-10 East, at 140 E. Bridge Street, in Breaux Bridge. For a complete schedule and menu, click here.

Cajun Summer Fun

After we had our pot of coffee and crawfish omlette, we set out to find some fun this afternoon. We headed over to Whiskey River Landing, on Levee Rd., in the town of Henderson, La. Whiskey River is a boat landing on the beautiful Atchafalaya Basin, as well as a popular dancehall and bar. There is a beautiful view of the basin from the dance floor.

 

Their Sunday afternoon dances host some of the best bands and dancers, anywhere. Today's band was Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie who entertained the packed crowd with highly seasoned Cajun and Zydeco music. By the end of the 4 hour dance, the dance floor was so crowded that the patrons took to dancing on the bar and anywhere else they could find to dance!


And all that dancing worked up an appetite, so we drove back down the Levee Rd. and stopped in to eat at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf and Restaurant. Fresh seafood entrees including , a fried seafood platter and seafood gumbo were delectable and highly recommended. No room for dessert, this time. Besides, there was a band starting to play in Pat's nightclub which has the biggest dancefloor in Louisiana. Who could resist the sounds of The Foret Tradition, a traditional Cajun band with a following of their own. So, more dancing to work off that big dinner and more fun. Cest toi !