Arts and Crabs Festival 2015

Bob and I enjoy attending fun festivals and events that benefit a good cause. This past Saturday, we attended the 6th annual Arts and Crabs Fest!

This event raises money for the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana -- a very worthy cause! The Arts and Humanities Council promotes the unique and diverse culture, music, food, and people of our region by offering free public events throughout the year -- Gallery Promenade, Spring Art Walk, Live at the Lakefront. They host art camps, arts awards, and offer grants to other art and culture organizations. I can't imagine living in Lake Charles without the services they provide to the region.

Anyway, back to Arts and Crabs, this event was initiated in 2010 not only to raise funds for the organization but also to bring awareness to the region's seafood industry after the devastating BP oil spill. We first attended in 2011. You can read that post here. The event started out in a banquet room at the Civic Center and has become more popular with each passing year. They soon outgrow venues and this year they hosted the event at Burton Coliseum.

Tickets sell out and approximately 700 people attended this year. Eleven area restaurants and caterers offered samples of everything crab -- corn crab bisque, crab cornbread, crab pasta casserole, crab and cheese dip, to name a few. Our personal favorite was a crab cake (center top, below) by a soon-to-open restaurant called 1910, on Ryan St. Also good was a crab salsa (upper right below in larger bowl) by popular taco truck, The Sloppy Taco, and indeed, they won the people's choice award.

Also fun is that a local brewery -- this year Bayou Teche -- pairs samples of their beer with the dishes. Old New Orleans Rum Distillery was also on hand passing out samples.

Then there's the art. One of my favorite art friends, Sue Zimmerman was there. Love her!

This photo was lifted from my 2011 post. (Why didn't I take a photo of she and I together. I'm her biggest fan girl!)

New art friend, Melinda Antoon Cormier, was also there. She's terrific, too.

Photo lifted from her Facebook page.

And my super-creative jewelry maker friend, Andrea Beck of Tab Typewriter Key Jewelry.


Also lifted from Facebook.

 . . . as well as many other art vendors. And what is any event in Southwest Louisiana without music! Folk singers Thomas and Theresa opened the event, followed by the band Sinners.

Good food, drink, art, and music! What could be better?

Of course, the event was emceed by our ubiquitous man-about-town Braylin Jenkins, aka BrayJ.

What is your favorite festival/fundraiser?

Prime Cuttery

So, there's a new eatery in town, and you know me. I love to try new places. I had heard a few reports on Prime Cuttery, all positive, and was eager to check it out. I'm not a huge fan of hamburgers, but every once in awhile . . .

I had no idea what to expect, but I guess I had in mind something a bit more restaurant-like. It's actually more of a meat market with amazing-looking steaks, sausage, boudin and take out sandwiches. There are only a few tables for dining in.

We arrived at 6:00 for dinner and they were closing just as we got there! But the gentleman who seems to be in charge (I didn't catch his name) was so kind. He re-fired up the grill and fryer just so we could eat there. He said they are extending their hours to 7:00 starting next week.

The burger was quite good and worth the wait. Nearly a half pound of certified Angus beef, lean, but with a small amount of pork belly mixed in for some fat and juiciness. The bun was unique and hard to describe -- firm yet soft, crispy on the outside, but fresh on the inside. Reminded me of a French baguette in a hamburger bun shape. There are three choices of cheeses -- american, swiss, or provolone. And they'll put whatever toppings on you want. I have eaten the exact same variety of hamburger consistently since I was a kid. Ketchup, mustard, and pickles. Period.

The fries were good, too.

We were told the menu will soon expand to include fresh seafood. They also offer several poboy sandwiches. The restaurant has only been open a few weeks, and like most brand new places, they're working out the kinks. Located at 3505 Country Club Rd., it's a bit out of the way unless you live in South Lake Charles. Maybe wait a couple weeks, then give Prime Cuttery a try. If you like big burgers, you won't be disappointed.

Have you been to any new restaurants lately?