In Louisiana, meals are meant to share. We enjoy the dining experience from the shaken specialty cocktails, to the fresh vegetable sides, and most importantly, the company that gathers at the dinner table. Memories are made at the dinner table.

As we adapt our meals at home to the seasonal vegetables and warmer weather, restaurants do as well.  I was able to get recipes of a few of my favorite summer selections from the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel’s Otis & Henry’s and L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Ember Grille and Wine Bar.

Ember Grille &Wine Bar
Recently, I shared a memorable dinner at Ember listening to the soulful John Guidroz singing with Kevin Lambert playing piano while I sipped on the old Ember classic Cable Car. 

John T. Edge, an esteemed Southern food writer and founder of the Southern Foodways Alliance, once said, “What intrigues me is how food in public is everyday theatre.” 

As the mixologist dramatically melted sugar with fire for my Cable Car, the servers at Ember were definitely in the midst of a performance when they brought the main dish to the table.  The Ember Prime Tamahawk, a 40 ounce rib eye for two, was carved tableside and was as high quality as it gets.  Although it comes with your choice of two sauces, my dad always told me that you never want to cover the taste of good piece of meat with sauce.  The quality of the meat, simply prepared with salt and pepper, spoke for itself.

As a side dish, we shared the Truffled Mac n’ Cheese, an adult version of the childhood staple.  Cheesy, rich and delicious, this nostalgic Southern dish brought me back to my mom’s kitchen in the house where I grew up.  (They also offer Crawfish Mac n’ Cheese that is packed with flavor!)

For dessert, award winning Pastry Chef Bill Foltz prepared a banana nut honey churro.

Otis & Henry’s

For an affordable lunch date, my husband and I love going to Otis & Henry’s at the Isle of Capri – especially on Saturdays and Sundays when they have live music.  (Check out the Events Calendar to see who's playing.)  The bartenders are always crafting their specialty martinis that are fun to try.  It’s like being at an island oasis!

Otis & Henry’s Shrimp Cocktail is making a splash on their summer menu and is an outstanding appetizer choice.   It just doesn’t get any better than flavorful, Louisiana seafood! 

I enjoy the Cajun Rib Eye (medium plus please!) that is always seasoned just right and expertly prepared.  We always split the Bourbon Pecan Pie for dessert.  It’s made from scratch and tastes pretty close to my great grandmother’s recipe.

On Sundays, the Otis & Henry’s has their Blues Brunch that is an option for live blues music and delicious food.   

Check out a few of these recipes to try at home this summer.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is coming back to Sulphur for a rematch against the Bayou All Star Celebrity Team, Friday-Saturday, June 20-21 at McMurry Park, 300 S. Hazel St., Sulphur, La.

Come see several celebrities including reality television stars Willie Robertson, of Duck Dynasty and Gator Queen Liz and Justin from Swamp People hit the diamond to help raise money for the wounded warriors.

The Bayou All Star team also features Jennie Finch-Daigle, former pitcher for Team USA softball; former MLB players, Casey Daigle, Patt Rapp, John Thomson, Kevin Mench and Roy Oswalt who is a 3 time MLB All-Star and Future Hall of Famer. Other athletes playing are David LaFleur, former Dallas Cowboy, Thomas Henderson, former Houston Rocket, Calvin Murphy, NBA Hall of Famer and former Team USA Softball players, Leah O’Brien-Amico and Toni Mascarenas.