Tidbits: Chef Varnedoe previews James Beard menu; Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s introduces happy hour dishes and more

If you found yourself drooling at the description of Chef Scott Varnedoe’s planned James Beard Dinner in New York in last week’s Dine, never fear—you’ll have a chance to sample it for yourself. On Tuesday, July 19, Stroubes Seafood and Steaks will be offering limited reservations for sampling the planned James Beard menu, which includes striking combinations like duck and oyster gumbo with green onion, pecan, and wild dirty rice-stuffed quail breast and Asian-Cajun surf and turf, Asian-spiced and blackened Gulf of Mexico tuna with pickled mirliton, and more. Reservations to sample the James Beard menu will be limited to 100 for the evening, and the prix fixe dinners will be available with a wine pairing for $195 per couple and $150 without the wine pairing. Reservations must be made by July 18—call 225-448-2830 to make yours. … Downtown hangout Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s have added a happy hour menu to supplement their extensive lunch menu and roster of beers and specialty drinks. From 4-7 p.m., B&T will serve up fried green tomatoes, gumbo, meat pies, blackened alligator, oysters on the half shell and much more, giving you a great chance to unwind after a long day. Click here to view the full menu. … Sullivan’s Steakhouse has a new “Jazz up Your Summer” dinner-for-two menu through Sept. 5, featuring a prix fixe selection of signature starters, delicious entrées and dessert faves for $79. You and your dining companion can sample everything from chilled asparagus bisque with jumbo lump crab to filet mignon, finishing it off with a dessert, like chocolate mousse or New York-style cheesecake. Check sullivanssteakhouse.com for more info.