Dine Roundup: Holiday goodies in Baton Rouge at the Festival of Lights

Food and fun at the Festival of Lights

Downtown Baton Rouge’s premier holiday event, the Festival of Lights, returns Friday, Dec. 4, 4-9 p.m.

In addition to free ice-skating, 10 tons of snow and the much-anticipated lighting of a 35-foot tree, the festival features several options for event-goers to satisfy their holiday snack craving.

In North Boulevard Town Square, Cortana Kiwanis will host a food and beverage stand with all proceeds benefiting children’s charities in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana Youth Orchestra will host a bake sale, and the Manship Theatre will host a hot chocolate bar along with popcorn and other beverages.

First Baptist Church at 529 Convention St. will host “A Front Porch Christmas” with live music, hot chocolate and holiday treats, and the Louisiana Art & Science Museum will offer complimentary refreshments with admission fees.

The annual free event also features a variety of family-friendly activities such as ice skating, face painting and Forum 35’s Reindeer Run and Jingle Bell Jog. Local art vendors, balloon sculptors, magicians and other festival staples will also be present.

See the full schedule of festival events here.

Portobello’s Grill owner planning new concept in Denham Springs

P-Beauxs, a spinoff concept of Portobello’s Grill, which will be more relaxed and casual than the Italian restaurants in Baton Rouge and Plaquemine, is set to open near Bass Pro Shops in early February.

The new restaurant will offer a variety of sandwiches and comfort foods, which owner Kiva Guidroz says will give him more flexibility in menu items and restaurant locations.

Portobello’s Grill currently has two Baton Rouge locations and one Plaquemine location, and Guidroz says he is thinking about opening a Central location, too. Read the full Daily Report story here.