Dine Roundup: Zoroona plans hookah lounge, LSU Museum of Art’s July 4 preview party and more food news
Zoroona eyes opening of hookah lounge and café
Zoroona Mediterranean Grill general manager Bill Qasem says the restaurant is on track to open an adjoining hookah lounge and café early next week. The additional space was at one point planned as a Mediterranean market, but “people kept asking for a hookah bar,” Qasem says. He was happy to oblige, and is aiming for a high-end yet comfortable lounge experience for guests.
The hookah lounge includes a spacious area of plush seating with flatscreen TVs on the walls and a garage-style door that opens up to a covered patio with more seating and an area for live music.
Qasem says the hookah lounge and café will offer a small food menu with items familiar to fans of Zoroona, made-to-order fresh juices, coffee and, of course, several flavors of hookah tobacco.
Zoroona is at 6900-D Siegen Lane. Check out our review of Zoroona from when it first opened.
LSU Museum of Art hosts Red, White & Blue Preview Party
In conjunction with the 12th annual Fourth of July fireworks viewing from the top of the Shaw Center, the LSU Museum of Art is hosting its Red, White and Blue Preview Party on Saturday, June 25, 7-10 p.m.
The preview party will fill several floors of the Shaw Center with an array of signature dishes provided by some of Baton Rouge’s finest restaurants and caterers, a full cash bar, live music and the opportunity to view the current exhibitions “Art In Louisiana: Views into the Collection” and “Hunt Slonem: Antebellum Pop!”
The cuisine spread will include dishes from Capital City Grill, Chef John Folse & Company, Galatoire’s Bistro, Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, Ruffino’s Catering, Stroubes, Tio Javi’s, Tsunami Sushi and many more.
Guests can also bid in a silent auction featuring high-end items such as fine art from local artists, a New Orleans getaway package and jewelry from Cut Fine Jewelers.
Purchase tickets here.
Tomato event at the farmers market this Saturday
As part of Fresh Fest 2016, the Red Stick Farmers Market will feature its “Tomato Me Crazy” celebration this Saturday, June 25, 8 a.m.-noon at 5th and Main streets in downtown Baton Rouge.
The event will highlight the Louisiana tomato harvest and shoppers can play “guess the number of tomatoes” for a chance to win gift certificates and tomato-themed prizes. Chef Peter Sclafani will be the guest chef for the Fresh from the Market cooking demonstration at 10 a.m., where he will use locally-grown tomatoes in summer recipes and offer samples to the crowd.
Forum 35’s June Uncorked next Thursday
Forum 35’s next Uncorked food and wine event will be held Thursday, June 30, 6-9 p.m. at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. It will benefit the Baton Rouge Bridge Academy.
Participants will enjoy an evening of fundraising, wine tasting, and a unique team wine competition.
Purchase tickets here.
Baton Rouge Distilling releases Strawberry Brandy
The new Baton Rouge Distilling has released its first spirit, Strawberry Brandy, made using strawberry wine from Amato’s Winery in Tangipahoa Parish.
Strawberry Brandy is already on the shelves at both Calandro’s Supermarket locations, Olive or Twist, Matherne’s Supermarket and Hokus Pokus Liquor in Prairieville, among other places.
Read the full story on Daily Report.
