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Showing posts with label Crawfish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crawfish. Show all posts
Friday, January 23, 2015
Lt.
Governor Jay Dardenne and the Louisiana
Office of Tourism have deemed 2015 the “Louisiana Culinary Celebration!”
With that in mind, how can I possibly diet? Plus, it’s almost Mardi Gras, so King
Cakes are in no short supply and my office is directly across the street
from Steamboat
Bill’s on the Lake. I can practically hear the boiled crawfish calling my
name every day after work.
Eating in Cajun Country means good food prepared by the
people who know what to do with the bounty that nature provides. My mom recently “borrowed” kumquats from her
neighbor’s tree to make a marmalade. My brother-in-law knows a thing or two
about preparing ducks and geese after the hunt.
With seafood, everyone has their preferred methods of
cooking. You won’t find a shortage of
fried foods in Southwest Louisiana restaurants!
Don’t get me started on boudin.
Or cracklins.
.jpg) |
| www.monsoursphotography.net |
One of my favorite gumbo stories was covered recently by Michelle
Winner on www.CulinaryTraveler.com
mentioning Chef Lyle Broussard from Jack
Daniel’s Bar & Grill®. He was telling Jay Ducote, Bite and Booze food blogger, how he
knows when the roux is ready – he recalls the flavor from when he was a small
child, standing on a stool with a big heaping spoon of “chocolate” on his mother’s
stove. Little did he know, the “chocolate”
was actually roux! He’ll never forget that surprising taste!
Check out The Culinary Trails
Taste-umentary YouTube video that celebrates the local food scene and
features local restaurants at www.visitlakecharles.org/seafood.
Other culinary videos can be seen on the Visit
Lake Charles YouTube channel.
Cajun food is simple. And it’s complex. It is a conversation
starter. Food in Southwest Louisiana is
filled with passion. Don’t take my word
for it- come and taste for yourself!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
By Glen Turk
The sum of any great golf trip is a collection of its parts. Even the most avid golfer will tell you it's the adventures enjoyed in between the fairways hit and birdies made that truly define a distinctive golf vacation. Without a doubt the 120,000 person city of Lake Charles, LA, located less than 3 hours from both Houston and 4 hours from New Orleans, was created with those parameters in mind. In late April a group of golf writers from around the country and Canada were treated to a four day extravaganza of golfing, gaming, fishing, and eating that would have made Caligula blush. Below is a recap of our exciting jam-packed four day journey to bayou country.
Day one began with our touchdown at Lake Charles Regional Airport, the perfect place to make the proper first impression. The cozy airport features direct flights to Houston and Dallas, therefore allowing anyone from anywhere to experience Lake Charles easily and cost effectively. Then it was off to Mallard Cove Golf Course, a city run municipal course located on the former Chennault Air Force Base. The 7015 yard layout dates back to 1976 and can be best described as a sporty layout at an affordable price. You'll never pay more than $40 to play and every shot in your bag will be tested as half the holes are impacted by water hazards including the mind-bending 563 yard, par-5 18th.
It is truly one of Lake Charles' most talked about holes and PGA Professional Derek Smith loves hearing the stories come through his pro shop like this one as described by former World Long Drive Champion Brian Pavlet.
"Memorial Day weekend in 2000, I was in Lake Charles, La., at Mallard Cove Golf Club playing in a charity pro-am. The last hole says "540 yards, par-5" on the card, but the tees were up about 30 yards. Having played in the event previously, I knew I could take a shortcut and drive the green if I could carry the ball about 390 yards. The hole horseshoes around a big swamp with these huge trees in the middle. When I swung, I knew it was going to be good. My ball landed just short of the green and bounced on, stopping about 12 to 15 feet from the hole. When I got to the green, everybody was going nuts. Now, I am thinking, I've got to make this. I walked up, gave it a read and nailed it for double eagle," regaled Pavlet. For more information on Mallard Cove, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com or call (337) 491-1204.
I love the second day of four day golf trips. You're over the stress of getting there plus you've got a bulk of the trip to look forward to. In a rare admission, day two in Lake Charles would have been amazing without hitting a single golf shot as our group got to enjoy an early morning fishing excursion by Capt. Eric Rue's Calcasieu Charter Service. Eric offers some sweet Stay and Play packages at www.calcasieucharters.com that includes lodging on site and the opportunity to play either Gray Plantation or Contraband Bayou Golf Course, which will be discussed shortly. The four writers plus our guide Bryan combined to catch 14 redfish that we later devoured at the legendary Seafood Palace. Besides our catches of the day we dined on one of every appetizer they serve including Pistollettes, Crawfish Pies, Fried Alligator, and their legendary deep fried boudin sausage balls.
In between fishing stories and eating glory, we took in the sights and sounds at National Golf Club of Louisiana at Westlake. Stepping off the bus my first comment was "Wow, this doesn't look like we're in Louisiana anymore!" Director of Golf Ron Brown agrees.
"As a matter of fact, most people that play here say that often. Many compare The National to Pinehurst in North Carolina. They say when they drive up that they feel like they are definitely in a different place, not in Louisiana. They love the look, the service, and the consistent quality of the course," stated Brown.
Speaking of the quality of the course, it's in remarkable condition considering it's only a few years old. The Dave Bennett design plays 6946 yards from the tips and requires shot-making expertise throughout. The course unfolds like a best-selling mystery novel as it gets better the further into it you are. To that end, one of Ron Brown's favorite holes is The National's penultimate one.
"I love the par-5 17th that's reachable in two with a huge risk reward factor involved. The hole is a slight dog-leg left with close OB on the left and trees and water all the way down the right side. The green is very well protected by bunkers in the front and back and missing the green can cause a major headache when it comes to getting up and down. This hole normally is very pivotal in the completion of the round and/or how you finish a tournament," finished Brown. For more information on all that Louisiana National has to offer including their upscale housing community,visit www.nationalgcla.com or call (337) 433-2255.
Legendary golf architect Tom Fazio drew from his considerable design acumen when shaping the Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L'Auberge, located only a well struck driver away from the stately entrance of the L'Auberge Casino Resort. Completed in 2005, the 7077 yard layout is the perfect complement to a property that rivals any casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Fazio was able to fit the bill of what a casino course should be - a playable test for all abilities while still creating many memorable shot values throughout the journey.
"Mr. Fazio is good at what he does. He has the ability to visualize and move earth to make his visualization a reality. We wanted a fun course that could be challenging simply by moving back a set of tees," stated Bill Belcher, the Director of Resort Services at L'Auberge Casino Resort.
The best stretch of golf on our entire trip resides on holes 8 through 15 at Contraband. A two hour fun fest waits on this elite 8 that any course in America would be thrilled to have on their roster. The journey begins with the backdrop of a stunning edifice.
"That stretch has a great variety of holes in it. You have three great par-3's, one reachable par-5 (depending on the wind), one par-5 that makes you think on all three shots, and three par-4's - one dog leg left, one right and one straight. We are very fortunate to have such a great collection of holes. Of the eight hole stretch, the 15th is the hardest hole on the course due to all the trouble that exists on both sides all the way from tee to green," said Belcher.
For more information on Contraband Bayou including their Stay and Play packages and their top notch amenities including pool, spa, and food services, visit www.llakecharles.com call (337) 395-7777.
The final day of our trip ended in style with a bonafide southern experience at Gray Plantation, one of America's top 100 public courses according to Golf Digest. Not only is the semi-private property home to the 7,200 yard Rocky Roquemore design, but it is also home to the Golf Academy at Gray Plantation.
"The Gray Plantation Golf Academy is the most technologically advanced Academy in the region. The Academy provides our members and customers with all forms of game improvement, equipment upgrades, and analysis necessary to have the ultimate experience. With three Class A PGA Professionals on site we're able to host golf schools and clinics of any size with an impressive student to teacher ratio that feels like a one on one lesson," stated Kevin Tracy.
It is my humble opinion that you should join the Academy first and then play The Gray as the better you play the more you'll enjoy this amazing property. It's also important to note that Gray Plantation was a charter member of the Audubon Golf Trail in Louisiana when the course opened in 1999. The natural beauty of Louisiana's bayou country is on full display as 8 of their 18 holes are built along the wetlands of the Calcasieu River. No more is this beauty revealed that the quartet of par-3's-quite possibly the finest collection of short holes I've seen since The Harvester Golf Club in Iowa.
Kevin Tracey expands from there: "All four par- 3's force golfers to carry the Calcasieu River in front of the green. Two of them are island greens with wetlands surrounding the putting surface. Only one of the par 3's plays further than 150 yards, which allows golfers of skill levels an opportunity to hit it close. However, any errant shot on the wrong side of the green will inevitably reach the water," concluded Tracey. For more information on the Gray Plantation and their adjoining Graywood Community, visit www.graywoodllc.com or call (337) 562-1663.
In conclusion, four thrilling days in bayou country was the perfect elixir for the spring blues that befell the Midwest this year. Whether you want to golf 54 or 9 holes a day, I promise you'll never be bored in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For more all information on all that Lake Charles has to offer, visit www.visitlakecharles.org.
Where to Stay and Gorge Yourself in Lake Charles, LA
L'Auberge Casino Resort offers first class accommodations complete with a pool to rival any Vegas casino and gaming. (866) 580-7444
Darrell's for subs and sandwiches. A unique twist on the stereotypical po-boy. 119 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70605. (337) 474-3651
Mazens's Mediterranean Restaurant. A perfect blend of local flavors with Cajun and Mediterranean style cooking. 217 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70601. (337) 477-8207
Seafood Palace. The spot to get local flavor complete with crawfish and fried alligator. 2218 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601. (337) 433-9293
Ember Grille & Wine Bar. Located inside L'Auberge Casino Resort, you are in for a culinary experience. A modern steakhouse complete with a variety of certified angus, kobe and natural grass fed beef. (337) 395-7565
What Else to do:
Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail - a popular Cajun sausage follow this trail to several stops to taste a little local flavor.
Calcasieu Charter Service. Create a customized trip complete with fishing, hunting and golf, of course. 210 Bank Street - Big Lake, Lake Charles, LA 70607. (337) 598-4700
Golfing, Gambling, Fishing, and Dining Combine to Create a Memorable Trip
.jpg) |
| www.monsoursphotography.net |
Day one began with our touchdown at Lake Charles Regional Airport, the perfect place to make the proper first impression. The cozy airport features direct flights to Houston and Dallas, therefore allowing anyone from anywhere to experience Lake Charles easily and cost effectively. Then it was off to Mallard Cove Golf Course, a city run municipal course located on the former Chennault Air Force Base. The 7015 yard layout dates back to 1976 and can be best described as a sporty layout at an affordable price. You'll never pay more than $40 to play and every shot in your bag will be tested as half the holes are impacted by water hazards including the mind-bending 563 yard, par-5 18th.
 |
| Mallard Cove Golf Course |
It is truly one of Lake Charles' most talked about holes and PGA Professional Derek Smith loves hearing the stories come through his pro shop like this one as described by former World Long Drive Champion Brian Pavlet.
"Memorial Day weekend in 2000, I was in Lake Charles, La., at Mallard Cove Golf Club playing in a charity pro-am. The last hole says "540 yards, par-5" on the card, but the tees were up about 30 yards. Having played in the event previously, I knew I could take a shortcut and drive the green if I could carry the ball about 390 yards. The hole horseshoes around a big swamp with these huge trees in the middle. When I swung, I knew it was going to be good. My ball landed just short of the green and bounced on, stopping about 12 to 15 feet from the hole. When I got to the green, everybody was going nuts. Now, I am thinking, I've got to make this. I walked up, gave it a read and nailed it for double eagle," regaled Pavlet. For more information on Mallard Cove, visit www.cityoflakecharles.com or call (337) 491-1204.
I love the second day of four day golf trips. You're over the stress of getting there plus you've got a bulk of the trip to look forward to. In a rare admission, day two in Lake Charles would have been amazing without hitting a single golf shot as our group got to enjoy an early morning fishing excursion by Capt. Eric Rue's Calcasieu Charter Service. Eric offers some sweet Stay and Play packages at www.calcasieucharters.com that includes lodging on site and the opportunity to play either Gray Plantation or Contraband Bayou Golf Course, which will be discussed shortly. The four writers plus our guide Bryan combined to catch 14 redfish that we later devoured at the legendary Seafood Palace. Besides our catches of the day we dined on one of every appetizer they serve including Pistollettes, Crawfish Pies, Fried Alligator, and their legendary deep fried boudin sausage balls.
.jpg) |
| www.monsoursphotography.net |
In between fishing stories and eating glory, we took in the sights and sounds at National Golf Club of Louisiana at Westlake. Stepping off the bus my first comment was "Wow, this doesn't look like we're in Louisiana anymore!" Director of Golf Ron Brown agrees.
 |
| National Golf Club of Louisiana |
Speaking of the quality of the course, it's in remarkable condition considering it's only a few years old. The Dave Bennett design plays 6946 yards from the tips and requires shot-making expertise throughout. The course unfolds like a best-selling mystery novel as it gets better the further into it you are. To that end, one of Ron Brown's favorite holes is The National's penultimate one.
"I love the par-5 17th that's reachable in two with a huge risk reward factor involved. The hole is a slight dog-leg left with close OB on the left and trees and water all the way down the right side. The green is very well protected by bunkers in the front and back and missing the green can cause a major headache when it comes to getting up and down. This hole normally is very pivotal in the completion of the round and/or how you finish a tournament," finished Brown. For more information on all that Louisiana National has to offer including their upscale housing community,visit www.nationalgcla.com or call (337) 433-2255.
Legendary golf architect Tom Fazio drew from his considerable design acumen when shaping the Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L'Auberge, located only a well struck driver away from the stately entrance of the L'Auberge Casino Resort. Completed in 2005, the 7077 yard layout is the perfect complement to a property that rivals any casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Fazio was able to fit the bill of what a casino course should be - a playable test for all abilities while still creating many memorable shot values throughout the journey.
 |
| Contraband Bayou Golf Club at L'Auberge Casino Resort |
"Mr. Fazio is good at what he does. He has the ability to visualize and move earth to make his visualization a reality. We wanted a fun course that could be challenging simply by moving back a set of tees," stated Bill Belcher, the Director of Resort Services at L'Auberge Casino Resort.
The best stretch of golf on our entire trip resides on holes 8 through 15 at Contraband. A two hour fun fest waits on this elite 8 that any course in America would be thrilled to have on their roster. The journey begins with the backdrop of a stunning edifice.
"That stretch has a great variety of holes in it. You have three great par-3's, one reachable par-5 (depending on the wind), one par-5 that makes you think on all three shots, and three par-4's - one dog leg left, one right and one straight. We are very fortunate to have such a great collection of holes. Of the eight hole stretch, the 15th is the hardest hole on the course due to all the trouble that exists on both sides all the way from tee to green," said Belcher.
For more information on Contraband Bayou including their Stay and Play packages and their top notch amenities including pool, spa, and food services, visit www.llakecharles.com call (337) 395-7777.
The final day of our trip ended in style with a bonafide southern experience at Gray Plantation, one of America's top 100 public courses according to Golf Digest. Not only is the semi-private property home to the 7,200 yard Rocky Roquemore design, but it is also home to the Golf Academy at Gray Plantation.
 |
| Gray Plantation |
"The Gray Plantation Golf Academy is the most technologically advanced Academy in the region. The Academy provides our members and customers with all forms of game improvement, equipment upgrades, and analysis necessary to have the ultimate experience. With three Class A PGA Professionals on site we're able to host golf schools and clinics of any size with an impressive student to teacher ratio that feels like a one on one lesson," stated Kevin Tracy.
It is my humble opinion that you should join the Academy first and then play The Gray as the better you play the more you'll enjoy this amazing property. It's also important to note that Gray Plantation was a charter member of the Audubon Golf Trail in Louisiana when the course opened in 1999. The natural beauty of Louisiana's bayou country is on full display as 8 of their 18 holes are built along the wetlands of the Calcasieu River. No more is this beauty revealed that the quartet of par-3's-quite possibly the finest collection of short holes I've seen since The Harvester Golf Club in Iowa.
Kevin Tracey expands from there: "All four par- 3's force golfers to carry the Calcasieu River in front of the green. Two of them are island greens with wetlands surrounding the putting surface. Only one of the par 3's plays further than 150 yards, which allows golfers of skill levels an opportunity to hit it close. However, any errant shot on the wrong side of the green will inevitably reach the water," concluded Tracey. For more information on the Gray Plantation and their adjoining Graywood Community, visit www.graywoodllc.com or call (337) 562-1663.
In conclusion, four thrilling days in bayou country was the perfect elixir for the spring blues that befell the Midwest this year. Whether you want to golf 54 or 9 holes a day, I promise you'll never be bored in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For more all information on all that Lake Charles has to offer, visit www.visitlakecharles.org.
Where to Stay and Gorge Yourself in Lake Charles, LA
L'Auberge Casino Resort offers first class accommodations complete with a pool to rival any Vegas casino and gaming. (866) 580-7444
Darrell's for subs and sandwiches. A unique twist on the stereotypical po-boy. 119 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70605. (337) 474-3651
Mazens's Mediterranean Restaurant. A perfect blend of local flavors with Cajun and Mediterranean style cooking. 217 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70601. (337) 477-8207
Seafood Palace. The spot to get local flavor complete with crawfish and fried alligator. 2218 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601. (337) 433-9293
Ember Grille & Wine Bar. Located inside L'Auberge Casino Resort, you are in for a culinary experience. A modern steakhouse complete with a variety of certified angus, kobe and natural grass fed beef. (337) 395-7565
What Else to do:
Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail - a popular Cajun sausage follow this trail to several stops to taste a little local flavor.
Calcasieu Charter Service. Create a customized trip complete with fishing, hunting and golf, of course. 210 Bank Street - Big Lake, Lake Charles, LA 70607. (337) 598-4700
Thursday, March 27, 2014
By Kaylen
Fletcher
We have food seasons and my favorite happens to be CRAWFISH SEASON!
.jpg) |
| www.lindseyjanies.com |
Not only do I love the taste of
boiled crawfish, but just like food is a part of the Louisiana culture,
crawfish brings me back home to a long-standing family tradition. Ever
since I can remember, I've eaten crawfish with my dad and sister. Every year for
Easter Sunday we’d invite the family over and have a huge crawfish boil outside
and play horseshoes. By the age of 13 I learned how to peel crawfish extremely
fast because I realized we had only purchased a certain amount of crawfish to
share between my dad and sister. If I
didn’t peel fast, I didn’t get as much as I wanted. By high school I could eat
7 pounds of crawfish by myself in less than an hour. I know this because my
dad, sister and I would have competitions on who could peel the fastest and eat
the most.
As we got older, we realized it was
getting expensive to just buy by the pound so we would plan ahead the beginning
of every season and research which restaurants had the all-you-can-eat buffets
because it was cheaper for us to eat. We would then typically rotate between
the local casinos to taste-test who seasoned the best. To this day, my
family and I still get together every year for Easter Sunday and have a huge
crawfish boil, and my dad still calls my sister and I every other week and says
it’s time for father/daughter bonding and we always know what he means.
If you’re traveling to Lake Charles,
don’t miss out on the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival April 11-13 where
Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake will be on site selling over 10,000 pounds of
boiled crawfish.
.jpg) |
| Festival attendees enjoyed the music and food at the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival. Photo by www.lindseyjanies.com |
If you want to learn how to peel like
a pro before you feast on some delicious boiled crawfish, check out the video
tutorial below and then maybe I’ll have some competition!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Lake Charles / Southwest Louisiana is known for its amazing cuisine, and no cuisine is held on a higher pedestal to locals than Crawfish (aka- mudbugs or crawdads). Usually boiled in a large pot and liberally seasoned, it's not unusual to see a local go through at least 5 lbs of these delicious critters! So if you are ever in the area and find yourself with the privilege to eat crawfish, you better be prepared!
Enjoy the this fun video and if you have a better way to peel a crawfish, take a video and share the link with us here in the comments section or on our Facebook wall at https://www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesCVB.
Monday, December 17, 2012
As an individual who grow up in
the cornfields of Northern Indiana, nothing could prepare me for the excitement
that is Mardi Gras! Sure, we had our county festival that was plenty exciting
with rides, entertainment, food and, my personal favorite, the pig races, but
the fair never lasted long enough and the parade was generic and lacking.
This brings me to my
first Mardi Gras experience that hopefully you can learn from. I was 21 and
lured down to Lake Charles by my future wife. I decided that Mardi Gras season
would be the perfect time to leave the mundane behind, and I was right!
During my trip I was treated to
the legendary southern hospitality, to the point that people I had just met
invited me to my very first crawfish boil! I had never eaten crawfish before
and my first impression of everyone going crazy about these little mud bugs was
that they were nuts. After my first heaping tray full of the little critters, I
could see why everyone was crazy… They were delicious!
As the trip progressed I was
able to explore the Mardi Gras Museum which is home to the largest collection
of Mardi Gras costumes in the world. It was amazing to see all of these very
unique and over-the-top costumes that the Mardi Gras Kings and Queens wear at
their balls and parades.
After a while I was
introduced to my very first King Cake. For those of us not raised in the Mardi
Gras culture, it is a delicious cake that comes in a variety of flavors (my
favorite is cream cheese and strawberry) traditional served around the Mardi
Gras season. My first bite in the cake offered quite a surprise, a tiny plastic
baby! Apparently, there is a plastic baby hidden in the King Cake’s that when
found offer the finder certain privileges and obligations, such as buying the
next King Cake! What a way to welcome a visitor, shove a toy in his food, don’t
tell him about it, and then have him buy the next cake! It was a great bonding
experience, but be warned, Baby in Cake!
After the cake
fiasco, I was finally lead to my very first Mardi Gras parade, the Krewe of
Krewes Parade. This happened to be one of the largest parades in Southwest
Louisiana. Starting right before dark the excitement was alive with people who
had been camping out all day. I quickly learned this was not your typical
parade with marching bands, the crazy little guys who fly around on go carts,
and beauty queens. Instead, I witnessed these crazy, raised floats pumping out
music and a shower of beads, cups, and plastic coins raining down upon my head!
People were excited, waving their hands in the air and yelling “Throw me
something mister!” It took a little bit for me bust out of my shell, but I quickly
found myself having the time of my life.
So, if you’re looking for
something different and exciting that you will remember for a lifetime, try
visiting Mardi Gras in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana!
For more info go to http://www.visitlakecharles.org/mardi-gras/
For more info go to http://www.visitlakecharles.org/mardi-gras/
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