Lava Cantina to open in Perkins Rowe

Perkins Rowe is getting a new tenant that will be part live music venue, part Mexican restaurant. Lava Cantina, as the establishment will be called, is set to open in late spring in the 6,700-square-foot space next to California Pizza Kitchen that previously housed The Grill Room. “This is the first of its kind,” says Steve Vaughn, who is launching the restaurant as a retirement business with his son, Ian Vaughn, who lives in Dallas. “But we hope it will be the first of many.” Steve Vaughn, who recently retired from his day job at the Syngenta plant in St. Gabriel, is a musician on the side and plays in the local band Magnolia. Ian Vaughn is in the restaurant business in Dallas. The two decided to combine their passions—music and food—and create a concept restaurant they compare to a cross between the House of Blues and Hard Rock Café with a Mexican-themed menu. Lava Cantina will feature live bands and also take advantage of the many traveling acts that pass through Baton Rouge on their way to New Orleans. “We were originally looking at Dallas,” says Ian Vaughn. “But then we heard about this space at Perkins Rowe and thought it would be a perfect fit because when they feature live music on Thursday nights—the Rock N Rowe, as they call it—it’s always just packed. If you can create a cool vibe, we think the customers will welcome it.” —Stephanie Riegel