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Dine Roundup: New Caribbean cafe, Valentine’s Day dance party and more food news


‘Daily Report’: Rocco’s adding Port Allen location and new Caribbean concept here

Rocco’s New Orleans Style Poboys and Café in the Drusilla Shopping Center may be best known for its authentic take on the classic Crescent City sandwich. But the restaurant’s owner is branching out into island fare with the recent opening of Caribbean Joe’s Café.

The new restaurant, which currently serves breakfast and lunch, is located at 2900 Westfork Ave., off Sherwood Forest Boulevard.

Owner Rocco Moreau, who is partnering in the venture with St. Croix native Jose Boriel, says he has long wanted to open a true Caribbean-style restaurant in Baton Rouge, and that the café is a way for him and Boriel to test the market.

“When we get everything to where we know what the public wants we will search for a real brick and mortar location and open a full-service island restaurant and bar,” says Moreau, who’s owned Rocco’s New Orleans Style Poboys and Café since 1998.

The menu at Caribbean Joe’s includes nearly a dozen of Rocco’s most popular poboys as well as a sampling of classic Caribbean dishes, such as Cubano sandwiches, jerk chicken and sautéed cabbage with sausage and jasmine rice. Boriel, who has worked with Moreau in an unrelated construction business, grew up in the Caribbean and is using many of his parents’ authentic recipes.

Find out more about the café and the new Port Allen location in this Daily Report story.


Terrance Osborne meet and greet at Calandro’s tonight, Feb. 3

Renowned New Orleans colorist Terrance Osborne will meet, greet and sign posters of his “Mardi Barq’s” artwork, which celebrates Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Barq’s Root Beer.

The signing takes place Wednesday, Feb. 3, 4-6 p.m., at the Perkins Road location of Calandro’s Supermarket.


The Radio Bar to host Valentine’s-themed dance party

The Radio Bar will host its Be My Valentine Dance Party, which will feature romantic hits from the ’50s and ’60s, Saturday, Feb. 13.

Local singer-songwriters Molly Taylor and JP Richey are the event’s official hosts. Refreshments will be provided, as well as a DIY photo booth.

The dance party begins at 10 p.m. and ends at close.


Chefs to share comfort food at upcoming Simple Joe Cafe and Confectionary event

Chef Tom Ramsey of stäge and Chef Doug Hosford of Fat Cow will present their interpretations of comfort food Saturday, Feb. 20, at Simple Joe Cafe and Confectionary.

The event begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., then dinner at 7:30 p.m. The night ends with chef meet and greets following dinner.

Advanced tickets are required. Purchase tickets here.