city of chefs
and welcoming and this keeps people
coming back for more.
Long known as a Mecca for great
Cajun cuisine and Zydeco music,
the city also boasts world-class art
museums, a professional symphony
orchestra, and numerous art galleries,
arts events and performances. to cultured experiences. From the dizzying
spin of a Cajun two-step to the graceful swirl of the prima ballerina…from
funky Cajun dance hall beats to the
violin concertos in all their symphonic
glory…from spicy boiled crawfish to
the finest in Creole dining…Lafayette
has the best of both worlds.
Lafayette’s downtown is dynamic
with eclectic shops, diverse restaurants,
urban parks, galleries and art spaces.
The spring and fall are special times
with Downtown Alive!, a weekly concert series held on Friday evenings.
Downtown Alive!, a favorite with visitors and locals alike, is an institution
that has been going strong for 30 years.
68 FOOD TRAVELER | WINTER 2013
THE FRENCH PRESS, A FINE DINING
restaurant holding the distinctions of
being hailed as one of SAVEUR Magazine’s Top 100 Inspiring Places and
Things to Eat (Jan/Feb 2013) and rated
as one of Urban Spoon’s Top Breakfast
Restaurants in the country (2013). The
restaurant serves inventive versions of
traditional Cajun and American cuisine
with a focus on fresh, high quality ingredients and rich flavors. Co-owner
and Executive Chef Justin Girouard
puts his own forward-thinking spin on
each dish, resulting in food that is both
modern and comforting.
The French Press is a favorite neighborhood spot tucked away on Vermilion Street across from Parc Sans Souci
in the heart of downtown Lafayette.
The French Press is located in the historic Tribune Printing Plant building,
built in the 1930s, and the building
retains much of its original character.
Leaving the original floors and walls
intact, co-owners Margaret and Justin
Girouard designed an intimate restaurant and bar that plays with the idea
of French-style dining and the building’s former use as a printing plant.
Chef Girouard draws inspiration
from his Cajun, French and Italian
heritage and always using what is local and in season. The result is a menu
chock full of satisfying dishes with
bright, bold flavors that appeal to
adventurous and conservative diners
alike. From our Cajun Benedict and
house-made chicken and sausage
Gumbo, to the selection of both local
and exotic seafood, each meal at The
French Press celebrates the region
they call home.
The staff is professional, attentive,
experienced and treats every guest
like part of the family. Each member
of our staff is extremely knowledgeable about our menu and wine list,
and ably assist our fine dining guests
in finding the perfect bottle for both
food pairing and budget.
The wine list is ever-changing in order to keep pace with varying menus
and trends. In the cooler months,
the list is stocked with rich and bold
wines, whereas in the warmer months,
the focus is on light and refreshing
profiles.
DENNY CULBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE FRENCH PRESS