Gourmet Strand’s Cafe sweetens downtown

The classic hard-working early-morning baker, the guy from fairy tales and big cities, is finally here in the Capital City, except “he” takes the form of two young female pastry chefs and their extended family. Baton Rouge native Linelle Mon, 29, and her cousin, Lilita Blanchard, 27, along with Lilita’s parents Bruce and Lilia Blanchard, opened Strands Cafe on Laurel Street in late December. The coffee house and patisserie serves the chefs’ original pastries and chocolates made fresh by hand. Read the 225 story here.