With 20 years of restaurant industry experience under his belt, Baton Rouge native Chef Blake Abadie will show off his dishes at a new venue—Le Bon Temps Bar and Grill (Map it!). The restaurant and bar hosted its grand opening last week and it’s no surprise the response has been electric. Abadie says the menu encompasses all Louisiana cooking styles, not just the Cajun and Creole influences.
“Saying Louisiana food is just Cajun is like a curse word to me,” he says. “To me, Louisiana cuisine is the Irish and Italian influences, the French and German … I try to encapsulate all of that.”
Some of his signature dishes include the muffaletta po-boy, a red bean osso bucco, a boudin-stuffed bone-in pork chop, and Abita tempura shrimp corn dogs. The cocktail list is also no slouch, featuring everything from a LBT Fizz (the bar’s twist on the Bellini) and an upcoming bacon Bloody Mary, which will be garnished with half of a grilled cheese.
Another highlight of the new spot is the ultra lounge area open Thursday-Saturday 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Think of Le Bon Temps as an upscale sports bar with classy atmosphere and food, Abadie says.
While this family-owned business shares no connection with the New Orleans bar/restaurant of the same name, Abadie wants Le Bon Temps to become a destination.
“This isn’t just a place to eat dinner or lunch,” he says. “This is the place where you can go to watch a sporting event and enjoy time with friends and family. And if you’re not with your family, you can enjoy the lounge area late at night.”
For more information on Le Bon Temps Bar and Grill, click here or call 408-8203.—Matthew Sigur
