Third Street’s new wave

Baton Rouge’s newest wave of bars and restaurants settles nicely along the revered North Third Street downtown. Like a refreshing breeze off the Mississippi River just a few blocks away, the latest crop of food and beverage establishments is most certainly a welcome sight for downtown. With new offerings, inventive menus, passionate chefs, friendly bars and live music, it is safe to say Third Street is experiencing a new era. Here is a look at some of the new spots worth checking out:

Underneath The Office at 421 N. Third Street is an open and inviting dining venue with a patchwork wooden interior called Restaurant IPO. Chef Chris Wadsworth saw that tapas, or Spanish-style small plates, are hot right now, but he wanted to do them a little differently. Restaurant IPO takes diners on a world tour while still using familiar Louisiana ingredients. The small plates menu includes dishes like Bayou Eggs, which are deviled and topped with a fried oyster, a Roasted Duck Crepe and a few twists on traditional favorites like the redfish-filled Pequeno Tacos. The bar has a nice wine list as well as eight beer taps, most of which support local and craft beer. Click here to read more about Third Street’s resurgence.