Did I mention I dined at Cafe Vermilionville?

Cafe Vermilionville, "Cafe V," really forged the way for fine dining in Acadiana. It was one of the first to combine high-quality cuisine in an intimate environment nearly 25 years ago.

The former Judge Roy Bean's watering hole and historic site of Vermilionville (Lafayette's first name as a city), has a soothing view of gardens, an cozy bar and world-class cuisine.

Cafe V sometimes is mistaken for a special occasion restaurant only. Not true. It's also a cool place for a power lunch, lunch with the girls or dinner with friends. With plenty of free parking and a location just around the corner from S. College Road and Pinhook Road, it's easy to get in and out of any time of the day.

There's a fresh new chef there and it's worth sampling what he's offering in addition to the classics like turtle soup!

Riverside Inn is "the Acadiana tradition."

When a friend of mine suggested we go to Riverside Inn for dinner one Friday night, I couldn't but help but say yes. How many times has anyone in Acadiana been asked - "where do I go for an authentic Cajun/Acadiana experience?"

The answer is Poor Boy's Riverside Inn. Family owned and operated since 1932. Serving fine Cajun cuisine and specializing in Gulf Coast seafood, choice steaks, live Maine lobster, and exotic meats in a casual yet fine-dining atmosphere. It's the one restaurant that anyone who's been Lafayette for any amount of time remembers as their first "authentic" dining experience.

I had my favorite, the stuffed flounder. And, unless you are ready for the to-go box, never mind, you need to make that discovery yourself. The service is very good and the portions are generous.

I need to remind myself to go more often. It's cozy. It's encourages conversation. It's just good food.

Charlie Goodson Inducted in LRA Hall of Fame.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) inducted Charles Goodson of Charley G’s in Lafayette into its Hall of Fame during the annual President’s Reception and Grand Awards Banquet on Aug. 6.

Goodson has been an LRA member for almost 21 years, and during that time served as a chapter president, state president, state board of director and chairman of the association’s Legislative, HostPAC and Membership Development committees as well as the Chapter President’s Council.

Goodson served on the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors and received the LRA’s “Active Member of the Year” award in 1993 and the “Restaurateur of the Year” award in 2001. Goodson is also a founder and chairman of the EatLafayette campaign that promotes local eateries in Lafayette, LA.

Other members of the LRA Hall of Fame include Ralph Brennan, Virginia & Savare DeFelice, Gregory Hamer and Shirley Deluzain.
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The Louisiana Restaurant Association is one of the largest business organizations in the state, representing more than 7,000 restaurant operations and related businesses. The restaurant industry in Louisiana is the state’s largest private employer with 130,000 employed directly and another 55,000 indirectly employed. Restaurants in Louisiana are expected to generate sales of $4.8 billion in 2006.

Guama's for lunch.

I told you I wasn't done with this EatLafayette thing. Today was lunch at Guama's in downtown Lafayette. If you work downtown or anywhere downtown, Guama's is a good place to socialize or conduct that power lunch. Make sure to ask if Julietta is in the house with her new daughter. (Julietta has the biggest smile and it's easy to see why her family and her business does so well). Her son was outside babysitting a new puppy. Ruben made the rounds to make sure everything was good and it was. The service is good and the food - well you just have to taste it yourself. I know you won't be disappointed.