During the nineteenth century, well-to-do New Orleanians seeking to escape the city’s stifling heat boarded ferries and set sail for 'l'autre cote du lac', or “the other side of the lake.” They came to bask in the breezes off of Lake Pontchartrain, to stroll through the shaded groves of the Northshore’s longleaf pine forests, and to partake of the rejuvenating spring waters that bubbled forth in Abita Springs. As one might expect of visitors at a summer resort destination, they came in search of standout dining, too, and in small towns including Abita Springs, Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, and Slidell, a sophisticated restaurant scene evolved to meet the demand. Fortunately for visitors in search of summer dining destinations in the 21st century, The Northshore continues to uphold a well-earned reputation for culinary excellence, welcoming adventurous diners to tables during the seventh annual Tammany Taste of Summer program. Throughout August, a showcase of celebrated restaurants participate, offering a diverse range of prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus designed to make the Northshore’s outstanding culinary scene accessible—and affordable—for locals and visitors alike.
With easy access to farm-fresh produce, the Gulf’s seafood bounty, and a location right across the lake from the Crescent City’s culinary mecca, it’s no surprise that the Northshore hosts a number of landmark Louisiana restaurants. There’s plenty of casual, waterside dining, spectacular seafood, and classically prepared Creole fare to be found here. After all, nothing says “summer” quite like a platter of oysters and a frozen French 75. But St. Tammany parish is also home to chefs who have brought international flavors and world-class culinary experience to local menus. Whether Louisiana-born and raised or arrivals from elsewhere, many Northshore chefs built their resumes in fine dining establishments around the country or the world before returning to create distinctive restaurants that nourish the heart and season the soul.
This month, the Tammany Taste of Summer program is your chance to try them all! Head to LOLA in Covington’s historic train depot to experience upscale Louisiana fare by husband and wife team Keith and Nealy Frentz. Or settle in at Gallagher’s on Front Street to discover why longtime St. Tammany restaurateur Pat Gallagher’s steak and seafood menu keeps folks coming back. The spectacular country-French-meets-Creole fare at Mandeville’s Café Lynn has been earning classically trained chef Joey Najolia accolades since he and his wife, Brandi, opened their restaurant in 2007 (there’s a wonderful wine list to match). Over in tiny Madisonville, al fresco dining with sweeping views of the Tchefuncte River awaits at Tchefuncte’s Restaurant. And at Restaurant Coté in historic Olde Towne Slidell, every Saturday night is a party as the restaurant hosts live music in the Maple Room while upscale Creole classics including blackened fish and chicken, fried green tomatoes, and soft shell crab roll forth from the kitchen. Ready to sample all the flavor that The Northshore has to offer? Tammany Taste of Summer lets you sample all these and more from August 1—31 throughout St. Tammany Parish. So pull up a seat and get ready to experience some of the Northshore’s finest flavors. There’s a list of participating restaurants and their prix-fixe menus at TammanyTaste.com.
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