With a name of a Louisiana small town, a menu inspired by Gulf South favorites, and a location in the Renaissance Hotel in the heart of Baton Rouge, Tallulah Crafted Food & Wine Bar manages to lay out a table that does delectable justice to Southern hospitality without bowing to tired stereotypes. Instead, it blends Louisiana tradition and creative flair, culinary passion and high craft standards, to create an experience all its own.
Executive Chef Drue Vitter, a New Orleans native, takes his food seriously, as evidenced by the thoughtfully crafted upscale-casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus of Tallulah as well as banquet and catering offerings for Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. However, his inventive approach to Southern classics and sheer enthusiasm when talking about cooking is a reminder that “serious” is by no means “boring.”
“We’re very lucky to be in a place with this kind of culinary tradition,” says Vitter. He explains how he and his staff honor this tradition, incorporating innovative touches that call attention to the overall quality of the dish and seeking out first-rate ingredients sourced as locally as possible. “For us, it’s very important to make sure the flavors of the earth (or in the case of seafood, the ocean) come through in the food.”
It’s only good manners to pair good food with equally good drink; fortunately, Tallulah’s bar is up to the task. An extensive selection of over 36 fine wines by the glass, preserved at the peak of freshness by the revolutionary Enomatic Wine Serving System, as well beer taps that boast local brews including Baton Rouge’s own Tin Roof, guarantees the perfect pour for any meal. The bar staff is also well-versed in classic Southern cocktails, as well as craft creations from a signature cocktail menu always fresh with seasonal selections.
You can’t have a true Louisiana experience without sitting down to a good meal. Whether you’re an out-of-town guest at the Renaissance Hotel or a Baton Rouge local hungry for a hometown haunt, Tallulah is sure to sate your appetite for an elegant serving of Southern comfort or your thirst for a worthy libation. Visit tallulahrestaurant.com to explore more.
