Friday 5: Paul Kieu of The Daily Advertiser

Photo by Tyler Kaufman 

Find yourself enjoying the photos in The Daily Advertiser in print and online? If so, you are seeing the handiwork of staff photojournalist, Paul Kieu. From news, to sports-to food and culture, the live music enthusiast does not consider himself a foodie; although he does make a mean Steen's syrup and sriracha dipping sauce for his homemade boudin egg-rolls.

"I just like pretty pictures, bold flavors, and a good time over food and drinks with friends and strangers. It's in my Vietnamese-American, adopted Cajun blood."

Check out his picks, with a little lagniappe, for local eateries and be sure to follow him on all forms of social media: @paulvkieu

Friday 5: Rob Sandberg of Pop's Poboys & Guerrilla Bar

The Champ is here! This week we get the dish from defending Pop-Up Champion, Rob Sandberg. The Le Cordon Bleu trained chef, who has worked in some of the top restaurants in Acadiana, can now be found slinging poboys from the kitchen of Pop's and you can find his small plate offerings at Guerrilla Bar, one of Lafayette's underground popups. See if Rob has what it takes to bring the belt home this Saturday at the Lord of the Cheese Grilled Cheese Throwdown. Until then, check out his favorite places in town.

Road Trip: Grand Coteau Bistro

Eggs Atchafalaya

Grand Coteau Bistro is the newest kid on the block in the restaurant formerly known as Catahoulas. The project, headed by award winning Chef Christopher Thames, a Chopped champion among other things, is a welcomed addition to the Grand Coteau Historical District.

Get your first Nitro buzz at Rêve's new Downtown Lafayette location

The biggest buzz in brewed beans since butter, Nitro Coffee, a method of infusing nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide under high pressure into cold brewed coffee has officially staked its claim as THE newest and hippest way to drink the black, bitter beverage that is part of our morning; and for some of us, hourly routines. Nitro, the latest in a craze of coffee modifications (previous trends include butter coffee, cold brew and tonic water) was first made popular by artisan roasters Cuvée and Stumptown. Now, Lafayette's own Rêve Coffee, officially opened in their new location at 200A Jefferson Street, are bringing Nitro Coffee to the downtown region. The coffee, featured on tap, is smooth and rich. The infusion of nitrogen causes the coffee to have a foamy head similar to its brother from another brew mother; beer. Chocolaty and smooth while being effervescent and slightly sweet, you'll wish the cold bubbly glass would never empty. If you're anything like me, you're sure to find yourself a bar fly hooked on the newest brew on tap- Nitro.

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere: Louisiana Craft Beer Week Schedule of Events

What a great week to be a craft beer drinker in Louisiana! Louisiana Craft Brewer's Week (LCBW), September 12-19, acts as a collective effort among Louisiana breweries in an attempt to increase interest in craft brewing in the state. With special casks brewed just for the event, it's a great time for craft brew aficionados and novices alike.

The highlight of the week takes place right here in Lafayette with Wednesday night’s Beer Appétit Top Five Live Event at Jefferson Street Pub. 2Paul’s Radically Urban BBQ, Artmosphere, Jefferson Street Pub, Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro and Saint Street Inn will all be showcased in the event for their creative and appetizing pairings of local food and beer. Bring your appetite along with your thirst, and for only $10, try bite-sized samples of the beer-inspired dishes that were submitted during this year’s Beer Appétit Challenge presented by EatLafayette. Buy tickets online or at the door. All proceeds benefit the Acadiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. Can't make it Wednesday night? Don't worry. Some of the other events that will be happening around Acadiana to celebrate Craft Beer Week are:

Monday, September 14^th

Tin Roof Beer Sampling: Twin Peaks, 7-9pm

Gnarly Barley Trivia: Green Room, 8-10pm (Special Release: Chocolate Peanut Butter Korova Milk Porter)

               

Tuesday, September 15^th

Saint Street Inn: Parish Brewing Company, 7-9pm  (Dr. Hoptagon Release)

Mellow Mushroom: Louisiana Craft Beer Trivia, 8-10pm

Wednesday, September 16^th

Beer Appétit Top Five Live Event: Jefferson Street Pub, 6-8pm

Thursday, September 17^th

Parish Beer Club:  Green Room, 7-9pm

Covington Fest Bier and Special Release Cask: Artmosphere, 8-10pm

Friday, September 18^th

Bayou Teche Miel Sauvage & Knott’s Berry Beer Release: Social Southern Table & Bar, 7-9pm

Parish Brewing Company Dr. Hoptagon and Special Release Cask: The Tap Room, 8-10pm

Saturday, September 19^th

Bayou Teche Radler Cask Special Release: Whole Foods, Noon-3pm

“Gnarley Gnight”: The Tap Room, 7-9pm – Special Release: Chocolate Peanut Butter Korova Milk Porter

Bayou Teche Knott’s Berry Beer Release @ Green Room, 8-10pm

Plate Lunch Tour Goes Healthy: Sandra's Cafe & Health Food Store

Who says that plate lunches have to be unhealthy? South Louisianans looking for an alternative to all things fried and buttered can look no further for a healthy, fresh lunch on-the-go. Sandra's Cafe and Health Food Store, long known for their health care products, also offer daily lunch specials that feature local, fresh ingredients. These plate lunches, with options as regional as shrimp and grits or as exotic as chicken shawarma and tabbouleh, are packed with flavor while still being perfect for people minding their weight or just looking to eat a little healthier. Friday is one of my favorites because you can get a hearty serving of shrimp fajitas and choice of a side. Dine in or get your plate to-go. Visit them on Facebook to view the daily specials.

Sandra's Cafe & Health Food Store
111-C Rena Dr.
Lafayette, LA

Friday 5: Paul Krato of De Gaulle Square Bistro & Bar

In this week's Friday 5 we get to know Chef Paul Krato. The new executive chef of De Gaulle Square Bistro & Bar comes from humble beginnings and has worked his way up the ladder. Visit him in River Ranch and check out some of his favorite spots around town.

On tap: Ragin' Cajun Genuine Louisiana Ale

In Louisiana, rice is nice. It's a staple in nearly every dish native to Cajun Country. And now, thanks to Bayou Teche Brewing and Schilling Distribution, Louisiana grown rice has found a new home--bottles around Acadiana! Handcrafted in Arnaudville, La., Ragin' Cajun Genuine Louisiana Ale, a Kolsch style ale with rice, is as unique as our Cajun and Creole heritage.

Friday 5: Ramsey Morein

Photo by Stephen Meaux from his documentary series dans ma cuisine

Ramsey Morein is a geospatial consultant specializing in geospatial information, geodesy, LiDAR and civil mapping--but everyone knows her as the lunch counter girl at Bread & Circus Provisions. Ramsey, a small town girl from Evangeline Parish, claims she isn't a foodie but just a girl that likes to eat. And with her work with Pig & Plough Suppers and the farm to table movement, she is surrounded by folks that are helping the local foods movement move forward and getting swept away along with it. 

Road Trip: Cochon Butcher, NOLA

No visit to NOLA is complete without a stop to Executive Chef Donald Link's funky sandwich shop/butcher shop/wine bar located smack dab on Tchoupitoulas. Butcher (one of the five restaurants in the Link Restaurant Group) is playful and whimsical and is a great place to grab a quick lunch before strolling the streets.