Recently I took a trip to Shreveport-Bossier in Louisiana. I was fortunate enough to spend time with Pat, Brandy and Angel who are part of the Convention and Tourist Bureau. Talking about laying out the red carpet! These ladies sure know how to show off their town and I was grateful. Shreveport-Bossier should be happy to have them. 

 

We covered so much ground while I was there that I’ve decided to separate the food and wine from the sites and attractions. However, you can still take a peak at some of the great places that I visited while there in the LIVE section of the magazine under Visit Shreveport-Bossier.

 

Enjoy,

 

Now on with the show…

 

There’s a side of Louisiana you may not be familiar with. You have to experience it to fully understand. The northwest corner of the state, in and around Shreveport-Bossier, is a little different than the rest of Louisiana. We’re a mixture of spicy Cajun attitude and wide-open Texas spirit. In Shreveport-Bossier, you’ll find a getaway that’s full of variety and offers a taste for life.

 

Shreveport-Bossier is full of artistry, music, food, fun and so much more. Our museums feature rare and treasured finds. Learn of the area’s history and culture, see how early area pioneers lived, gaze at the stars, catch a great independent film or see where Elvis Presley got his start.

 

Shreveport and Bossier City are joined by the Red River in the northwest corner of Louisiana, about 20 miles east of Texas and about 35 miles south of Arkansas. Two interstate highways, I-20 and I-49, intersect in Shreveport. The cities are 187 miles east

of Dallas, a 2.5-hour drive along I-20, and 341 miles north of New Orleans, a 5-hour drive.

 

 

Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop, located on the popular and historic Line Avenue in Shreveport’s Highland neighborhood, offers the area exceptional food and wines at reasonable prices, and in a comfortable, yet refined environment. Enjoy a flavorful wine at dinner, then move to the bottle shop at the back of the restaurant to purchase a bottle to take home. The bottle shop also features a large selection of artisan cheeses, gourmet products and wine accessories. Aside from fresh and tasty menu options for lunch and dinner, Wine Country also offers weekly wine tastings in the bottle shop and special wine dinners with vineyard owners in the bistro.

 

This is a place you cannot miss for great food and wine. Chef Bradley and the crew really go all out. The ambiance is wonderful, the Bottle Shop is fantastic and the food and wine are to die for. While there, Chef Bradley graciously went all out for our group and some of my favorites were his Cherry Wood Smoked Salmon, the Low-Country Shrimp and Grits and the Seared Duck. He also makes this special cornbread that comes out in a mini cast iron skillet. It was amazing! Also be sure to try the Bread Pudding and the Peach & Bourbon Cobbler – yum! Don’t forget to say hello to Chef Bradley as well… http://www.winecountrynet.com

 

Debbie Keckler, began making her own wine several years ago in her own home.  With her wine-making talents and inspiration from a out-of-state winery, Debbie went forth with creating her very own winery. "The Biggest Little Winery in Louisiana", On Cloud Wine is Shreveport's very own winery. At this unique winery, you can sample our latest wines while walking around our fabulous gift shop, where we provide unique gifts for the southwest side of Shreveport. They currently have 6 wines ready to serve you at their wine bar ran by their wine maker Diadra. Their wine is made, sampled, and sold at On Cloud Wine. The wine is made by using juices that come from all over the world. From dry, semi-sweet, we are sure to have a wine that will satisfy everyone's taste. Because we make all the wines on the premises, we are able to provide you with quality wines at affordable prices.

 

Debbie and Diadra are great and we had a blast there sampling the wines along with various cheeses, crackers and spreads. The wine shop is cute and inviting with not only great wines for sale, but may other wine accessories and gifts. For more information log onto: http://oncloudwineonline.com.

 

Strawn's Eat Shop opened in 1944 under the ownership of Mr. Strawn. Gus Alexander took over the restaurant in 1958. Under Gus's leadership, Lula McCoy ("the fried chicken maker"), Ella Hamilton ("the pie lady"), and Gladys Duncan ("the great waitress") joined him to make Strawn's Eat Shop a success. It was during this time that Strawn's became known as a "Shreveport Tradition."

 

We decided to go for breakfast, but looking at all of the pies, we had to have dessert too! The service was down-home southern hospitality and the food was excellent! This is a must on the list. http://strawnstoo.com

 

For a taste of local history with your meal, there is no place better than Fertitta’s Delicatessen. This business has been owned by the same family since the building was constructed in 1927 and is the first family-owned restaurant in Louisiana to be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Fertitta’s sells a variety of sandwiches, but is most famous for the Muffy – a toasted sandwich made with muffuletta bread. The closely guarded family secret includes a generous spread of Papa Fertitta’s famous olive mix. We sampled several muffy sandwiches and the olive mix was delicious! I had to purchase some to go…   http://www.papafertitta.com

 

If you’re craving crawfish, enjoy the juicy lobster-like crustaceans boiled to perfection with red potatoes and seasoned corn cobs at Crawdaddy’s Kitchen in Shreveport. They allow you an up-close view of the crawfish boil experience. Once you’ve seen how it's done, take a seat at the restaurant’s indoor picnic-style tables along with family and friends and feast on crawfish, gumbo and other delicious dishes. Yum!  http://www.crawdaddyskitchen.com

 

A long-time Shreveport treasure, The Glenwood was created in 1990 inside the old Glenwood Drugstore (est1923). Today, the building houses this authentic British tea house and restaurant as well as several specialty boutiques offering exquisite ladies jewelry and accessories, British china and toiletries and fine gifts. The Glenwood Tearoom has been nationally featured in Southern Living Magazine, Fine Dining Louisiana, Weekend Getaways in Louisiana and Mississippi, Fodor’s Travel Guide to the South, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Ft. Worth Star Telegram, Weddings and Destinations Magazines, and on The Travel Channel.  

 

I had the pleasure of going to the tearoom for breakfast and had the Fresh Fruit with Honeyed Yogurt Dressing, Canadian Bacon and Gouda Quiche; and the Assorted Scones and I can’t forget the tea. It was wonderful! I’d suggest you give it a try and after your meal is done, visit the bead shop where you’ll find many great treasure and gifts! http://www.glenwoodvillagetearoom.com

 

New Orleans-style dining at its best! Our relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere simply sets the stage for a great seafood dining experience that’s affordable (our children’s menu starts at only $3.99). While you’re here, check out our False River Gift Shop. This Louisiana and Cajun seafood restaurant experience is so good you’ll want a souvenir! At Ralph & Kacoo’s it really is all about the food. But don’t take our word for it!

 

The Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport is a dynamic venue for independent, international and classic cinema, a must see… However, another must is its Abby Singer’s Bistro. Be sure to visit Chef Chris Hayes and the crew and grab a delicious lunch or dinner at the bistro. When we arrived, Chef Chris was trying out some items for his new menu so we were able to sample quite a few items. My favorites were: The BLT&E (bacon, lettuce, tomato and egg); the Crab Cakes Pimento, the Shrimp Remoulade; the Crème Brulee and his amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies! All simply fantastic! http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org/abby-singers-bistro

 

Ethnos Coffee and Tea serves coffees and teas with a cause. Because they wanted to make the world a better place in many different ways we have decided to partner with Larry’s Beans. Larry’s Beans is a coffee roasting company with a mission. They understand that Over 70% of the world’s coffee comes from small family farmers who don’t have trucks to transport their crop and or access to info about its market value. Plus, there’s been a huge oversupply of low grade, environmentally unfriendly coffee on the market which has caused ALL prices to drop. Even farmers who produce superior coffee get pressured to sell for prices that make it a struggle just to break even. And meanwhile the giant coffee companies that keep driving the prices down rarely if ever lower their prices for the consumer. That’s why they decided to partner with them and go “fair trade.”

 

While visiting the shops at Villaggio in Bossier, be sure to visit Ethnos Coffee and Tea and learn more about their not to mention the coffee, tea and service are tops – for various reasons! http://www.ethnoscoffeeandtea.com

 

 

Buttercups Cupcakes is a gourmet cupcake bakery that makes cupcakes from scratch daily, using original recipes & only the finest ingredients. Choose from unique flavors like Red Velvet, Key Lime Pie, & Wedding Cake just to name a few. Once you try one you will know why these sweet treats have received national attention in People Magazine & Southern Living Magazine. 

 

This cute little shop was not only one of my favorites on the tour, but is a favorite to celebrities as well, the biggest being Katie Holmes! Our group was able to sample all of the cupcakes mentioned above as well as Carrot Cake, Strawberry and the Chocolate Vanilla. Amazing!!! While visiting the shops at Villaggio in Bossier, be sure to visit Buttercup Cupcakes and follow them on Facebook and become a fan today! Facebook: Buttercups-Cupcakes 

 

Created out of a love for cooking and a desire to help sustain a local ministry, Esther's Praylines and Sweet Things is a true labor of love. The founder and owner, Esther Rabb, is a perfectionist in the kitchen and desires that every experience with her confections, be one of pure pleasure and satisfaction. All of the desserts were created from family recipes and perfected by prayer! Esther spent years creating delicious desserts in her kitchen and wowing family and friends. After years of prompting and encouragement, she has made it possible for these delicious goodies to come to your home.

 

This is another ‘must’ for the shops at Villaggio in Bossier. You can’t go to Lousiana and not have Pralines, or in this case praylines… Get them to go and enjoy them later. They are simply the best! http://www.estherspraylines.com

 

Hummer and Son harvests honey twice each year. The spring harvest lasts from the middle of March through mid-June, producing honey from clover, willow, and harry vetch wildflowers. Between 30,000 and 50,000 Louisiana bees work to make the spring honeys, which are light in color and strong in sweetness. Their second harvest occurs from mid-June to September, with 100,000 to 150,000 bees producing darker honeys from ratan, woods, vetch, sunflower, astor, and goldenrod wildflowers. Hummer and Son have a complete line of Honey Products, Bee's Wax and Beekeeping Supplies. Their honey products can be found in groceries throughout Northwest Louisiana, East Texas, Southern Arkansas and Mississippi. Don't settle for anything less than the best, ask for Hummer & Son Honey, Honey Bar-B-Q, and our new Honey Mustard!  Stop by and visit the amazing William Hummer and get the buzz on Hummer and Son! http://hummerandsonhoney.com

 

629 Spring St., Shreveport, LA 71101

P. O. Box 1761, Shreveport, LA 71166-1761

(318) 222-9391 • (888) 45-VISIT

Web: www.Shreveport-Bossier.org