There’s a big fall and winter ahead for the downtown culinary scene, and we’ve got the scoop. Keep an eye out for these upcoming openings and fresh offerings from new restaurants in the heart of downtown.
Cocha
This international bistro focusing on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients is tentatively slated to open in early December.
The brainchild of chefs Saskia Spanhoff and Enrique Pinerua, Cocha’s menu of chic and fresh dishes will be complemented by original seasonal cocktails, local craft beers and an international wine list. The bar will feature communal tables for friendly get-togethers, while the semi-private back dining room will offer space for meetings or small gatherings of up to 25 people, plus a view into the open kitchen.
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Cocha will be open at 445 6th St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with brunch served on Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Another Broken Egg
Latest word on the new location of Another Broken Egg in the ground floor of the IBM Building has the opening tentatively set for mid-January. Like the restaurant’s other twoBaton Rouge locations, the downtown restaurant will offer breakfast and brunch fare 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., targeting downtown professionals in need of a power breakfast or brunch meeting on a weekday and the brunch-hungry masses on weekends.
Lava Cantina
Newly opened on Oct. 20, Lava Cantina has launched a second location in the former 3rd Street home of Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar.
The new downtown digs boast a renovated menu that incorporates more Creole and down-home elements into their Tex-Mex lineup, like fork-and-knife fajitas made with whole rib-eyes and chicken breasts and enchiladas made with crepes instead of corn tortillas. Unlike its Perkins Rowe predecessor, downtown’s Lava Cantina does not feature a full stage for concerts and instead offers a smaller area for more toned-down live music.
And, under the new ownership of the Lava Cantina team, the Roux House next door has rolled out a lunch and dinner menu.
The Gregory
Located inside the newly opened Watermark Hotel, The Gregory is a fresh stop for power lunches, a fancy dinner and chic scenery.
This gourmet Southern eatery features an open kitchen, classic cocktails and a wine room with more than 140 wines to choose from. For more, check out our First Look at The Gregory.
The Watermark will also play host to a New York-style Jewish deli with Milford’s on Third, with plans to open by December.
Magpie Cafe
Now full-service with Tuesday pizza nights, cocktails, brunch and beyond, the new Magpie Cafe on the first floor of the Commerce Building is working on mastering its menus and expanding offerings.
One of the newest additions is the recently rolled-out “bar nibbles” menu offered on Fridays and Saturdays during happy hour, 3-5 p.m., which includes spiced nuts, white beans and spiced pita chips, house-made potato chips with green tomato relish and portobello goat cheese empanadas with avocado cream.
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The bar has already found its best-selling signature cocktail in the Espresso Old-Fashioned made with espresso-infused bourbon, simple syrup, black walnut bitters and orange bitters, and Magpie plans to continue growing the cocktail menu as each new drink is perfected.
And for the dog lovers and fresh air fans, a cause to celebrate: The location has introduced outdoor seating for Saturday brunch.
Editor’s note: Driftwood Cask & Barrel and the Commerce Building‘s rooftop restaurant are two other upcoming restaurants/bars in downtown we’re anticipating; owners declined to comment for this article.