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Heart-warmed and charmed to my core. Lunch at Beauregard Gallery and Bistro has that effect.

As you walk along the East Indian-inspired walkway and through the front door of the building, which for 75 years housed the family fish business, take in the heavenly aromas of toasted herbs.

This art gallery cum café is filled with local artwork and homey, soul-warming food. The menu is mainly comprised of salads, sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, quiches and soups. However, there are creative house-made daily specials such as Soul Food Monday’s plate of red beans and rice, or seafood on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The soups are deep-flavored and hearty. I’m a fan of the tomato-rich and aromatic crawfish bisque…with heads. Don’t forget to get a slice of the daily cake. If it’s a rum cake, get two slices—one for now, one for later. There’s also a frozen case for take-home soups.