225BatonRouge.com

I don't know about you, but I love to eat!

While the mathematical revelation a 30-year-old has spent more than two years consuming food might alarm some people, for me that is just fine. When you think about it, eating is at the heart of most social activities in our culture. And no matter where you travel in the world, people know in south Louisiana we have some of the best food on the planet.

When we conducted market research, we learned most of our 225 readers dine out twice or more a week. It confirmed what I already knew--that you love to eat, too.

There are few businesses as difficult to run as a restaurant. This is particularly true today in and around Baton Rouge. Along with hundreds of established local restaurants, dozens of new ones have opened their doors. Every one of them must compete not only for customers, but a competent staff as well. The Baton Rouge restaurant market has always been competitive, and it keeps getting more so every day.

But as always, successful restaurateurs have to be skilled at selecting food, preparing it, training their staffs, marketing themselves plus administering the business. And they have to be adept in a competitive market where new offerings tempt diners every day. Not everyone is up to the task, and some restaurants may not survive.

But the best will, and that is one of the truly wonderful perks of living in Baton Rouge--we have so much great food to chose from.

This month, 225 brings you the best of the best--the first annual Best of 225 Awards. It's our readers' choices for the best restaurants, night spots and interesting people. Discover Baton Rouge's favorite spot for a romantic dinner, savory ethnic foods and all sorts of other tasty treats. From Creole cuisine and creative sushi to Cajun stuffed shrimp and crispy tacos, all of this year's winners will make your mouth water.

The Best of 225 is more than food and drink, though. You'll read which local celebrities and politicians are tops with 225 readers. You'll learn about great outings for the family, and maybe you'll remember forgotten gems that have been here all along.

Much more than the routine popularity contests you may have seen in other cities, the Best of 225 Awards represent thorough market research.

First, we asked our readers to nominate their favorites in more than 50 categories. We tabulated the top nominees in each category and then commissioned SCI Research to conduct a scientific, random survey of more than 24,000 people.

I'm sure the Best of 225 is destined to become a favorite in Baton Rouge. Check it out and e-mail us your thoughts.

This old Maison

Speaking of food: With so many new people, restaurants and hot spots arriving in Baton Rouge this year, it's easy to overlook great places right here under our noses. One of those is Maison Lacour (page 71). This classic French restaurant has been serving gourmet cuisine for 20 years. Our restaurant writer, Maggie Heyn Richardson, takes you on a tasty tour of Maison Lacour's classic menu. I had the pleasure of eating at this little cozy cottage recently, and my entire meal was fabulous. You may have trouble pronouncing some of the choices on the menu if you're not fluent in French. Among my favorites are New Zealand rack of lamb, or the lamb tenderloin, which is baked, sliced and served with horseradish cream sauce. Vivé la maison!

A Baton Rouge original

One of Baton Rouge's most distinctive voices, writer Ed Cullen, published a book of essays and commentaries in Letter In a Woodpile. The longtime Baton Rouge resident has achieved a national audience, reading his commentaries on NPR's All Things Considered, and he's been a writer for The Advocate for more than 30 years. Thoughtful, humorous and compelling, his essays take readers on interesting journeys, often no further than his back yard. For example, he writes about his garden archnemesis, an armadillo he calls Amal, who rummages his vegetable patch for grubs. "Amal has the timing of a U.S. Navy Seal on a mission of do-or-die. I've tried spreading blood meal and red pepper. The last time, I swear I heard Amal yell "Aiee, laissez le bon temps roule! As he rolled out of sight." Read about Cullen on page 29.