Savor Louisiana's Summer Menus: Highlights and Recipes from Ember Grille & Otis & Henry's
In Louisiana, meals are meant to share. From shaken specialty cocktails and fresh vegetable sides to the cherished company at the table, memories are made over dinner.
As warmer weather arrives, home cooks and restaurants alike adapt menus to seasonal vegetables. I've secured recipes for some of my favorite summer dishes from Isle of Capri Casino Hotel's Otis & Henry's and L'Auberge Casino Resort's Ember Grille & Wine Bar.
Ember Grille & Wine Bar
Recently, I enjoyed a memorable dinner at Ember, with soulful singer John Guidroz and pianist Kevin Lambert providing the soundtrack as I sipped the classic Cable Car cocktail. I've tried recreating it at home—even for my Pokeno group—but without a blowtorch for the dramatic sugar melt, it's just not the same.
Renowned Southern food writer John T. Edge, founder of the Southern Foodways Alliance, captures it perfectly: “What intrigues me is how food in public is everyday theatre.”
Ember's servers performed tableside as they carved the Ember Prime Tomahawk, a 40-ounce ribeye for two. Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, its premium quality shone through—no sauce needed, as my dad always advised.
We shared Truffled Mac 'n' Cheese as a side—a rich, cheesy upgrade on a childhood favorite that evoked my mom's kitchen. (Their Crawfish Mac 'n' Cheese is equally flavorful.) For dessert, award-winning Pastry Chef Bill Foltz's Banana Nut Honey Churro delighted.
Otis & Henry's
For an affordable lunch, my husband and I head to Otis & Henry's at Isle of Capri, especially weekends with live music (check the Events Calendar). Bartenders craft fun specialty martinis, creating an island oasis vibe.
Their Shrimp Cocktail is a standout summer appetizer, showcasing Louisiana's superior seafood. The Cajun Ribeye (medium-plus) is perfectly seasoned, and we always share the scratch-made Bourbon Pecan Pie—reminiscent of my great-grandmother's recipe.
Sundays feature Blues Brunch with live music and delectable dishes.
Try these recipes at home this summer.
As warmer weather arrives, home cooks and restaurants alike adapt menus to seasonal vegetables. I've secured recipes for some of my favorite summer dishes from Isle of Capri Casino Hotel's Otis & Henry's and L'Auberge Casino Resort's Ember Grille & Wine Bar.
Ember Grille & Wine Bar
Recently, I enjoyed a memorable dinner at Ember, with soulful singer John Guidroz and pianist Kevin Lambert providing the soundtrack as I sipped the classic Cable Car cocktail. I've tried recreating it at home—even for my Pokeno group—but without a blowtorch for the dramatic sugar melt, it's just not the same.
Renowned Southern food writer John T. Edge, founder of the Southern Foodways Alliance, captures it perfectly: “What intrigues me is how food in public is everyday theatre.”
Ember's servers performed tableside as they carved the Ember Prime Tomahawk, a 40-ounce ribeye for two. Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, its premium quality shone through—no sauce needed, as my dad always advised.
We shared Truffled Mac 'n' Cheese as a side—a rich, cheesy upgrade on a childhood favorite that evoked my mom's kitchen. (Their Crawfish Mac 'n' Cheese is equally flavorful.) For dessert, award-winning Pastry Chef Bill Foltz's Banana Nut Honey Churro delighted.
Otis & Henry's
For an affordable lunch, my husband and I head to Otis & Henry's at Isle of Capri, especially weekends with live music (check the Events Calendar). Bartenders craft fun specialty martinis, creating an island oasis vibe.
Their Shrimp Cocktail is a standout summer appetizer, showcasing Louisiana's superior seafood. The Cajun Ribeye (medium-plus) is perfectly seasoned, and we always share the scratch-made Bourbon Pecan Pie—reminiscent of my great-grandmother's recipe.
Sundays feature Blues Brunch with live music and delectable dishes.
Try these recipes at home this summer.
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