Cajun Encounters
Photo by Cajun Encounters
The cheerful city of Slidell sits pretty on the Northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain, near the southeast edge of St. Tammany Parish. There’s more art, culture, and things to do in Slidell than ever before, while the new culinary establishments along with the classic institutions are eager to share their menus with visitors. What more could you expect from the Camellia City?
A lot more, in fact.
A Saturday morning stroll along Front Street, right across from Heritage Park in the middle of Olde Towne Slidell, brings visitors right to the center of the Camellia City Farmers Market, where live music floats in the air and tasty local produce awaits perusal. Skip a bit further and you’ll find cute shops amid an antique lover’s paradise, nestled among modern art galleries such as Lori's Art Depot, with lots more art to see at the Slidell Cultural Center. Don’t miss the third annual iteration of Olde Towne’s White Linen & Lagniappe—a free night of art, evening shopping, and delicious offerings—happening on August 10.
Antiques, art, and produce can take a toll on an appetite. If the dinner bell rings near Olde Towne, you won’t be far from an expanse of delicious dining options. From the fresh seafood and mouth-watering steak options at Gallagher’s on Front Street, to Restaurant Coté’s modern take on classic Creole (think Cochon de Lait Poboys to Fried Scallop Bordelaise), this part of town has your hunger pangs covered.
The Wine Garden, tucked a few streets away, offers a creative selection of perfectly cooked-to-order steaks, fresh seafood, a curated wine menu, charcuterie, and more. Join them for a meal in August to experience their Tammany Taste of Summer prix fixe menu, featuring a special meat and cheese board; an eight ounce filet mignon or today’s fresh catch; and a dessert. Whether it’s your first visit or your thousandth, The Wine Garden won’t leave you hungry during August—and their three-course spread will only set you back a very agreeable $39 per person.
Those who love a waterfront table can find one at Palmettos On the Bayou, an Acadian-style gem nestled against a bend of Bayou Bonfouca. Palmettos has been serving up creative and classic Cajun fare, such as Crawfish Beignets and Oyster Fettucine, since 2002. Those who end up near Palmettos on a Sunday morning will have a hard time passing up the Jazz Brunch, where the first Mimosa or Bloody Mary is on the house; while Saturdays offer a Cajun Brunch with benedicts, pain perdu, and other classics. The folks at Palmettos crafted a generous August prix fixe menu for both lunch and dinner, each of which offers three courses, and the option to try the Catfish Bonfouca.
The city life in Olde Towne isn’t the end of a Slidell adventure, however; nor is it the only option for flavorful fare. Don’t miss a water tour of the magnificent Honey Island Swamp, led by any of several local tour guide companies; nor the opportunity to charter a fishing boat to handle dinner on your own terms.
There’s lots to do, see, and eat in Slidell. Get an even better bang for your buck in August during Tammany Taste of Summer with specially priced menus and other culinary deals and events. There's plenty to go around, so don't forget to share your experience with #TammanyTaste!
