THE BASICS: Yilena Hernández opened her ode to pizza, art and wine in February 2023 in the Ichiban Square shopping center. In late 2023, an assist from consulting chef David Dickensauge revamped the menu to focus on quality ingredients and expertly prepared pizzas and pasta. Happy hours, a self-pour wine tap and live music make this vibey spot a great evening hangout. WHAT’S A MUST: The Beef Carpaccio appetizer offers delectable, tender thinly sliced meat with capers and onions. Among several pasta dishes, the Tagliatelle Bolognese is a standout for its wide noodles and meat sauce. The real st ..read more

THE BASICS: Brasas Peru opened in June 2023 in the Beau De Chene Shopping Center on Perkins Road, the brainchild of Lima native Giannina Chavez, her brother Renzo Ibanez and sister-in-law Carolina Ayala. It’s a space that has seen seven different concepts open and close since 2010, but the excited reviews on social media give the impression this one has staying power. A bar area serves up pisco sours, beer, wine and hard-to-find Peruvian sodas. WHAT’S A MUST: The delicious signature dish is Pollo a la Brasa, or charcoal-rotisserie chicken, served as a whole, half or quarter chicken with sides ..read more

THE BASICS: Launched in 2016, Umami has remained a respected Japanese favorite for its show-stopping plating and quality ingredients. Founding owner and chef Cong Nguyen sold the restaurant in 2021 to the team behind Geisha, Sushi with a Flair. It’s now run by Jimmy Nguyen, Tien Le and Michael Tran, but the menu has remained similar. WHAT’S A MUST: Hamachi Crudo is an excellent way to start, with delicate yellowtail in a bright yuzu citrus sauce. The Lollipop Lamb Chop is a delectable contrast to a meal heavy on fish. The signature rolls offer something (even a lot of things!) for everyone. Sa ..read more

Editor’s note: Soulshine Kitchen & Bar announced its closure this week in a Facebook post. The below review was written earlier this fall, before news broke of the closure. THE BASICS: Owners Danny Wilson, Joe Martin and Bryan Rogers opened Soulshine Kitchen & Bar in July 2022 in the Chimes Street neighborhood. The team began by offering plenty of soul food favorites, but have since culled down their menu to bar snacks and late-night eats that make it primed for the college crowd. WHAT’S A MUST: The thick-cut fries are nice and crispy, the Joy Burger will quell any after-hours burger c ..read more

THE BASICS: Bart Waguespack and Ronnie George opened the Library in February at the entrance to the Conway development in Gonzales. They created a parlor-like hangout with a well-curated wine list and an upscale menu with the help of chef James Dickensauge, brother of local chef David Dickensauge. (Editor’s note: The Library now has a new executive chef, Rey Atlas Bey.) Reservations are a must. WHAT’S A MUST: The Wagyu Flatbread is a great shareable starter, and the Truffle Burrata salad offers sweet, salty and creamy contrasts. For entrees, the Coffee Rubbed Spiced Pork Tenderloin and Couscou ..read more

When the air is thick with the oppressive heat and humidity and the Friday afternoon traffic across Baton Rouge becomes more like contraflow during hurricane evacuation, you know it’s that magical time of year: Football season. Of course, the games are very important, and the primary reason most people come in droves and brave the elements is to cheer on the beloved LSU Tigers and Southern Jags. But let’s face it, a close second to the actual game itself is the tailgating before (and sometimes even after) the game. Tailgating in Baton Rouge is a true art form that fans have carefully honed and ..read more

About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades. THE BASICS: The Mississippi favorite opened a Baton Rouge location in June 2022 in the space that formerly housed The Oasis. The owners brought in new smokers and their own competition-trained pit master to recre ..read more

About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades. THE BASICS: Bistro Italia began in 2014 on Coursey Boulevard under New Jersey-born Jon Wilkinson, who aimed to share his family’s style of Italian cooking handed down for generations. Its menu is loaded with clas ..read more

About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades.   THE BASICS: Kit Keophommavong-Bradford opened Chai Thai-Lao at the beginning of 2023 in the former location of Kathy’s Grill on Jefferson Highway. The 30-seat restaurant serves Thai and Laotian cuisine with ..read more

About 225’s food critic: Benjamin Leger previously served as managing editor for 225 and was the editor of its Taste section from 2012 to 2021, editing, writing and steering the direction of its food coverage in print and online. He is passionate about all things food and food journalism, and has written about the greater Baton Rouge area’s cuisine and culture for nearly two decades. THE BASICS: Former LSU student Brett Jones brought his New Orleans taco concept to Mid City in December 2022. Taking over the former Smokin’ Aces location at the corner of Government Street and St. Rose Avenue, he ..read more