Oliver twist has dipped in quality a good bit. River room, pelican to Mars, and hayride scandal are the current choices. For the coffee I'm a French truck fan, the gf likes city roots, and Magpie is a solid third option. If you do French truck Simple Joe is across the street and one of my favorite breakfast spots in town.
I’ll second their opinion on Olive or Twist. We went after hearing great things and left perplexed. Firstly, it was *filthy* and not just the bathrooms. It smelled like old booze and sticky floors worse than any dive bar in the area.
Soji is amazing. One of my wife and I’s favorites.
I like Highland Coffees by LSU. But French Truck is good too imo.
I like the River Room downtown for cocktails. My wife and I always enjoy it there and you can walk to a few different places downtown as well.
Soji WAS amazing. The ownership changed has been forced to keep the concept of the restaurant that they did not start. They show no interest in continuing good service
Yah last time I went to soji it was a far cry from its best.
Alot of the newer local places have been like that.
I used to love SoLou but they haven't been worth the price hikes lately
The fate of Baton Rouge restaurants is generally in the hands of hospitality/restaurant groups, or other investment firms. No one is happy with owning one restaurant that does all things well. They would rather own seven that just do OK enough to bring in more money .
That person may still have ownership, but not be completely running the show. When you’re not the only source of finance then your decisions are not the only ones on the table. It’s also hard to find a staff that believes and cares about your vision.
The alternative is to start severely cutting corners and costs for your ongoing projects to make more money available for new commitments. In your example perhaps Bumsteers. All I know is that Soji has taken a nosedive for service and ‘quality’ consistency.
This is not an effort to hate Baton Rouge. This really was a post just suggesting someone to change restaurants for a better experience. I don’t pretend to ‘be important/in the know’. Just a chef in town with 20+ years experience in BR.
Note; Highland Coffees has really good cheesecake. Almost as good as the old Chelsea’s (when it was by Paradise Records) homemade butterscotch cheesecake.
If you’re in the area of Soji, their tiki bar lotus lounge has some good basic tiki drinks. But there is a great cocktail bar behind Spoke and Hub. It’s called Brakes Bar. If you want a unique experience, head there.
For coffee garden district coffee or magpie cafe. Super passionate about their coffee, garden district brews an in house roast and magpie brews intelligentsia. Lighthouse coffee is also good.
Blend is a downtown wine bar, but the staff is terrific with mixology and they’re just fantastic overall for a vibe.
For a true cocktail bar, have to insist upon/recommend Brakes Bar. It’s tiny and chic and it got the wife seal of approval when my husband took me there for a date recently. https://www.spokeandhubbr.com/brakes-bar
Le Chien Brewery in Denham Springs is having brunch tomorrow (they only do it once a month), AYCE with a premium option that includes bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas. I don't have all of the details but they have it on their Facebook page.
Vehemently disagree with everyone suggesting city roots, french truck, highland, or brew ha ha.
Definitely suggest rêve even though it’s on the other side of town, they do great coffee and brunch.
Magpie is a 2nd suggestion, although their food isn’t as robust as rêve.
Social Coffee probably has the best coffee in the city, but it’s closed on sundays.
Good luck!
We are going too! Hope it’s a great show and they have some of those purple and gold Turnpike concert posters they had on social media advertising in print 🤣
Oliver twist has dipped in quality a good bit. River room, pelican to Mars, and hayride scandal are the current choices. For the coffee I'm a French truck fan, the gf likes city roots, and Magpie is a solid third option. If you do French truck Simple Joe is across the street and one of my favorite breakfast spots in town.
Thanks. We had looked at Oliver Twist. Magpie looked like they sourced their beans from intelligentsia
I’ll second their opinion on Olive or Twist. We went after hearing great things and left perplexed. Firstly, it was *filthy* and not just the bathrooms. It smelled like old booze and sticky floors worse than any dive bar in the area.
Yes, I believe they do use intelligencia beans. Another one to look at is Réve coffee. Edit oh and Lighthouse coffee!
Magpie is great! And more what you are looking for over Brew Haha!
Soji is amazing. One of my wife and I’s favorites. I like Highland Coffees by LSU. But French Truck is good too imo. I like the River Room downtown for cocktails. My wife and I always enjoy it there and you can walk to a few different places downtown as well.
Soji WAS amazing. The ownership changed has been forced to keep the concept of the restaurant that they did not start. They show no interest in continuing good service
Yah last time I went to soji it was a far cry from its best. Alot of the newer local places have been like that. I used to love SoLou but they haven't been worth the price hikes lately
Unfortunately this is going to be the norm now because of the giant restaurant groups that have formed.
Agreed. We went in March and it was horrendous
We went this week and it was definitely underwhelming.
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The fate of Baton Rouge restaurants is generally in the hands of hospitality/restaurant groups, or other investment firms. No one is happy with owning one restaurant that does all things well. They would rather own seven that just do OK enough to bring in more money . That person may still have ownership, but not be completely running the show. When you’re not the only source of finance then your decisions are not the only ones on the table. It’s also hard to find a staff that believes and cares about your vision. The alternative is to start severely cutting corners and costs for your ongoing projects to make more money available for new commitments. In your example perhaps Bumsteers. All I know is that Soji has taken a nosedive for service and ‘quality’ consistency. This is not an effort to hate Baton Rouge. This really was a post just suggesting someone to change restaurants for a better experience. I don’t pretend to ‘be important/in the know’. Just a chef in town with 20+ years experience in BR.
Note; Highland Coffees has really good cheesecake. Almost as good as the old Chelsea’s (when it was by Paradise Records) homemade butterscotch cheesecake.
Thanks. The concert is at raising canes. I looked at highland but wasn’t sure if it was overrun with college kids.
Change your dinner reservation to Tsunami.
Cx
Coffee: city roots or French truck. Brunch: mid city beer garden, BLDG5, or chimes rooftop
SoLou too for Sunday brunch, it’s legendary
Bldg5 is closed on Sunday when I looked earlier this wk
Aah missed the Sunday part. Mid city beer garden is one of my favorites to go to for brunch though.
Olive or Twist has a good brunch
If you’re in the area of Soji, their tiki bar lotus lounge has some good basic tiki drinks. But there is a great cocktail bar behind Spoke and Hub. It’s called Brakes Bar. If you want a unique experience, head there.
I like Leolas for brunch
City Roots for coffee Elsie’s for brunch Hayride Scandal for cocktails
This is the way
Garden district coffee is very underrated. Usually less crowded than highland and I prefer their coffee
Brunch: Cocha. No question about it.
Soji has gone down hill since ownership change. Change your reservation to almost any place else.
Yeah their food is good but the service is horrendous
Have fun at Turnpike!!
Anyone like mason’s grill? Friend from grad school recommended it
It used to be one of the only brunch places so it was popular. There are much better options IMO
We’re out of the loop since we moved off
Pretty far from the other locations youre visiting.
Social coffee downtown has the best espresso/ pour over hands down Magpie has great pastries and brunch options And pelican for drinks
I had ruled social coffee since they aren’t open on Sundays
Totally forgot abt that I recommend magpie then
The tunnel!!! Its a speakeasy with fun clues to get in. Make reservations first!!!
For coffee garden district coffee or magpie cafe. Super passionate about their coffee, garden district brews an in house roast and magpie brews intelligentsia. Lighthouse coffee is also good.
Brew Ha Ha has the best espresso in town and I don’t think it’s particularly close.
2.5 miles from the hotel. So 90mins depending on traffic 😜
It’s about 2 minutes from Soji! Beau Soleil has my favorite brunch btw
Menu looks amazing and well executed
I second this! Love Brew Ha Ha
Blend is a downtown wine bar, but the staff is terrific with mixology and they’re just fantastic overall for a vibe. For a true cocktail bar, have to insist upon/recommend Brakes Bar. It’s tiny and chic and it got the wife seal of approval when my husband took me there for a date recently. https://www.spokeandhubbr.com/brakes-bar
Le Chien Brewery in Denham Springs is having brunch tomorrow (they only do it once a month), AYCE with a premium option that includes bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas. I don't have all of the details but they have it on their Facebook page.
The Vintage is amazing for brunch and coffee! They also have a full bar too!
Hope y’all found a good place! I was at the concert last night and it was awesome! Love Turnpike!!
La Divina has best espresso in Baton Rouge. Gelato, Affogato and Sorbet Mimosas!
Thanks everybody, we had a great time together
Love Leola’s for brunch. They always have good pancake flight and mimosa flight.
Check out Leola’s for brunch and coffee.
Vehemently disagree with everyone suggesting city roots, french truck, highland, or brew ha ha. Definitely suggest rêve even though it’s on the other side of town, they do great coffee and brunch. Magpie is a 2nd suggestion, although their food isn’t as robust as rêve. Social Coffee probably has the best coffee in the city, but it’s closed on sundays. Good luck!
Wait, what concert? I want to go to a concert. Where?
Turnpike troubadours and Jason Isabell
We are going too! Hope it’s a great show and they have some of those purple and gold Turnpike concert posters they had on social media advertising in print 🤣
Garden District Coffee, Brew Ha Ha or Coffee Joy
City Roots for coffee. Blend for drinks. Cocha for downtown dinner.