Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Blue Moon Guest House
GUESTHOUSE$
( 337-234-2422, 877-766-2583;
www.bluemoonguesthouse.com
;
215 E Convent St; dm $18, r
$73-94; )
This tidy old home is one of Louisiana's travel gems, an upscale
hostel-like hangout that's walking distance from downtown. Snag a bed and you'll be on
the guest list for Lafayette's most popular down-home music venue, located in the back-
yard. The friendly owners, full kitchen and camaraderie among guests create a unique
music-meets-migration environment catering to backpackers, flashpackers and those in
transition (flashbackpackers?). Prices skyrocket during festival time. Decidedly not a
quiet spot.
Buchanan Lofts
BOUTIQUE APARTMENTS$$$
( 337-534-4922;
www.buchananlofts.com
;
403 S Buchanan; r per night/week from $110/600;
)
These über-hip lofts could be in New York City if they weren't so big. Doused
in contemporary-cool art and design - all fruits of the friendly owner's globetrotting -
the extra spacious units all come with kitchenettes and are awash in exposed brick and
hardwoods.
Johnson's Boucanière
CAJUN$
(1111 St John St; mains under $10; 10am-6pm Tue-Thu, to 9pm Fri, 7am-9pm Sat)
This resur-
rected 70-year-old family prairie smoker business turns out detour-worthy
boudin
(Cajun-style pork and rice sausage) and an unstoppable smoked pork-brisket sandwich
topped with smoked sausage.
Artmosphere
AMERICAN$
( 337-233-3331; 902 Johnston St; mains under $10; 11am-2am Mon-Sat, to midnight Sun;
)
Your place if you're jonesing for vegan/vegetarian food, or even just a hookah, plus a
lovely selection of beer on offer. Live music every night and a crowd that largely consists
of the student and artist set.
French Press
BREAKFAST$$$
$$$
(
www.thefrenchpresslafayette.com
;
214 E Vermillion; breakfast $6-$10.50, dinner mains $29-38;
7am-2pm Tue-Thu, 7am-2pm & 5:30-9pm Fri, 9am-2pm & 5:30-9pm Sat, 9am-2pm Sun; )
This
French-Cajun hybrid is the best culinary thing going in Lafayette. Breakfast is mind
blowing, with a sinful Cajun benedict (
boudin
instead of ham), cheddar grits (that will
kill you dead) and organic granola (offset the grits). Dinner is wonderful as well; that
rack of lamb with the truffled gratin is a special bit of gastronomic dreaminess.
