Elsie’sPlate&PiewinsoverBaton RougedinerswithLouisianainspiredcomfortfood
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By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to you by
Elsie’s Plate and Pie.
Sinceopeningin2017,Elsie’sPlate&PiehasbecomeabelovedMid-City stapleknownforitscomfortingdishesandwarmatmosphere.Inspiredby thehome-cookedmealsofownerandchefPaulDupre’sgrandmother,Elsie MarieCampeauRupe,therestaurantblendsfamilytraditionwithflavorsthatkeep customerscomingback.
PieswereacenterpieceofElsie’stable,andDupresaiditwasonlynaturaltocontinue thatlegacyattherestaurant.
“Wewantedthemenutohavealotofitemsfromourownfamilies,”hesaid.“Pies werealwayspartofthemealsgrowingup,sowehadtoincorporatethat.”
Today,customerfavoritesatElsie’sincludecrawfishhandpies,tomatopiesandan arrayofsweetpieces,fromappletolemoniceboxtos’mores.Yet,onesignature dishwasn’tpartoftheoriginalmenu.Theseafoodpotpiewasarunawayhitduring RestaurantWeekandbecamesopopularthattheteamaddeditpermanently.
Otherpopularmenuitemsincludeappetizerslikecrawfishqueso,boudincakesand friedokra
Whenitcomestotherestaurant’svibe,Dupresaidthegoalistokeeptheenergy livelyandtheatmospherelaidbackfortheeclecticmixofdiners,fromretireesto businessprofessionalstolocalfamilies.
“Wedohavealotofregularcustomersandfamiliarfaces,”hesaid.“We’velearned alotaboutwhatcustomersarelookingforasfarasfoodandservice.Thathelpsus continuetoputourbestfootforward.Ialwayshaveagrowthmindset.”
Withtheholidaysapproaching,Elsie’sispreparingforoneofitsbusiestseasons. TherestaurantisgearinguptoofferitspopularThanksgivingandChristmaspies, alongsideaselectionaholidaysidedishes–atraditionthatisreturningafterabrief hiatus.
Lookingahead,Dupreenvisionsexpansionnotthroughadditionalrestaurant locations,butthroughcateringandshipping.Plansareunderwaynowtobuilda dedicatedkitchentosupportboth.
“Ourpriorityisalwaystostayfocusedonthequalityofthefood,”hesaid.
Fab’rikreadytohelplocal womenlookconfidentandfeel beautifulallyearlong
By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
article is brought to you by Fab’rik.
Fabrikisacontemporarywomen’sclothingboutiquethatoffersstylish,ontrendpieceswithoutthehigh-endprices.Withafocusonaccessiblefashion, Fab’rikcuratesamixofcasualstaples,dressylooks,statementaccessories andseasonalcollectionsthatareidealforeverylifestyle.ElizabethWaits,ownerof theBatonRougelocation,sharedmoreaboutwhatFab’rikhastooffer.
Howwouldyoudescribethestore’spersonalityandstyle?
Funandwelcoming.Weareexcitedtostyleyouandfindtheperfectfitforany occasion.Wehavehighstylevibeswithaffordableprices.
WhatsetsFab’rikapartfromotherclothingstores?
Wearecustomer-focusedandwanttoactasyourpersonalshopper.Youget aone-on-oneexperiencewhenyouwalkthroughthedoors.Ourvisionisto makewomenfeelbeautiful,onepieceofclothingatatime.
Whataresomeofyourmostpopularitems,brandsandstyles?
SomeofourmostpopularbrandsareZSupplyandRisenDenim.Youcan alwaysfindgreatbasicpiecesandon-trendfashionatthestore.Wehavea goodmixofitemsforallagesandcarrydifferentbrandstoaccommodate mostsizingneeds.
Howdoyouhelpcustomersfindtheperfectoutfit?
Weaskeachcustomeranumberofquestionstodeterminetheirstylelikes, sizingpreferences,personalityandwhereyouwillweartheoutfit Wewantto ensureyouloveyourpurchaseandfeelconfidentwhenyouwalkoutthedoor.
Whatlessonshaveyoulearnedsincebecomingabusinessowner?
I’velearnedalotaboutthiswonderfulcommunity.I’vebeenluckyenough topartnerwithmanylocalbusinessownersandhavehadamazingyoung womenworkwithme.We’vebeenpartofshopping,wellnessandfundraising events It’sbeenapleasuretohostmanyoftheseeventsatthestore.The connectiontomyemployees,customersandcommunityhasbeentruly meaningfultome.
This
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By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to you by First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.
FirstUnitedMethodistChurchofBatonRougeisreadytowelcomethecommunity forjoyfulworship,belovedtraditionsandheartfeltservicethroughitsannual ChristmasEvecelebrationsandFightingHolidayHungermission.
Attendeescanexpectawarm,welcomingatmosphereandavarietyofservices designedforallagesandworshipstylesonChristmasEve Thedaybeginswithan 11a.m.family-orientedservicefeaturingapuppetshowandlivenativity.At2p.m., theAmericaStreetServicewillofferamorecontemporaryworshipexperiencewith modernmusicandarelaxedsetting.Laterintheday,the4p.m.and6p.m.sanctuary serviceswillembracetraditionwithcandlelight,HolyCommunionandtimeless carols.
Beyondthesanctuary,thechurch’sFightingHolidayHungermissionthisyearreflects itscommitmenttosharingGod’sloveintangibleways Thecongregationwillpack 200holidayfoodboxesforlocalfamiliesinneed.Additionally,thechurchisraising fundsfortheGreaterBatonRougeFoodBankthroughitsGivingTuesdaycampaign, ChristmasEveofferingandotheryear-enddonations.
Communitymembersareinvitedtojointheeffortbyparticipatinginthefoodbox packingdayat9a.m.December20inthechurchgymnasium.Donationsoffoodor financialsupportarealsowelcome.
Inatimewhenuncertaintytouchessomanylives,FirstUnitedMethodistChurch offersthemessagethatlovestillshinesbrightest
“WestrivetoliveoutourcallingtoloveGod,loveselfandloveothers–awayoflife wecallLoveCubed,”churchleaderssaid.“Thatlovemultiplies.Itbeginsinworship, growsaswecareforoneanotherandextendsintothecommunitythrough compassionandgrace.”
Gambino’sBakeryBrings FestiveFlavortoBaton RougeHolidays
By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to you by Gambino’s.
Astheholidayseasonarrives,Gambino’sBakeryat8646Goodwood BoulevardisonceagaintransformingintooneofBatonRouge’s mostbeloveddestinationsforfestivetreats,familytraditionsand timelessflavors
“Wehaveawonderfulvarietyofpastriestofitallneeds,fromcake squarestoeclairsandcanollis,”saidownerStaceyTate.“Wealsohavea varietyofgrab-and-goitemsforanylast-minutegatherings.”
TatesaidthatGambino’ssignaturecake,theDoberge,isbyfarthemost popularselectionduringtheholidays
“Youcanchoosefromavarietyofflavorslikechocolate,lemonand caramel,oryoucandohalfandhalf,”shesaid “Ourcakesaremade freshdailyinourbakery.Gambino’susesatruecustardforallofour Dobergecakes Ourdecoratorstakeextracaretomakesurethe customersarehappy.”
AnotherpopularseasonalofferingatGambino’sarekringlecakes.Similar tokingcakes,thekringlecakesfeaturecreamcheeseicingwithred andgreensprinkles.KingcakeseasonofficiallykicksoffonJanuary6, althoughtheCarnivaltreatisavailableyear-roundatGambino’s.
“Theholidaysareextremelybusyforus,butwebeginpreparationsweeks inadvance,”Tatesaid.“Wepreparethestaffthroughouttheyearand gathersuppliesandmaterialslongaheadoftimetomakesurewehave everythingthatweneed.”
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By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to you by the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
WhenElizabeth“Liz”PfifersettledinBatonRougefourandahalfyearsagoaftera careerininternationaldevelopment,largelyinAfricaandAsia,shewantedtomake adifferenceclosertohome.
“MydaughterandIhadbeenvolunteeringhereattheGreaterBatonRougeFoodBank, soIknewsomeofthestaffandvolunteers.I’vealwaysbeenreallypassionateaboutfood securityandsupportingfamilies,”shesaid.“Itfeltlikethingsalignedformetotakeonthis role.”
PfiferbecamepresidentandCEOoftheGreaterBatonRougeFoodBankonNov.1,ata timewhentheorganizationisbothcelebratingmilestonesandconfrontingchallenges. Theorganizationrecentlymarkedits40thanniversaryandhasmorethan140dedicated communitypartners.However,risingeconomicpressuresmeanmorefamiliesareseeking assistance.
Pfifersaidtherehasbeenabouta25percentincreaseinrequestsforhelpinthepast coupleofmonths,markedbymorepeopleatdistributioneventsandcallsaboutassistance “Wewanttocapitalizeontechnologytotrackwherethegreatestneedsaresowecan haveastrongerpresenceinthoseareas,”shesaid.“We’realsolookingatinnovationsto reachnewpopulations.There’sanenergeticandcommittedgenerationofyoungadults andadolescentswhowanttodomoreaboutsocioeconomicissues.Ifwecancreate partnershipswiththemwhentheyareyoung,wearegoingtohavemorepeoplethatare committedtothisworkwellintoadulthood.”
PfiferalsohopestheGreaterBatonRougeFoodBankcanworkwithotherorganizationsto addresstherootcausesoffoodinsecurityandperhapsprovideadditionalresourcesto families.
“Weallfacedifferentchallenges,butIbelievewecanreallyworktogethertoovercome those,”shesaid.“Allovertheworld,I’veseenaspiritthatbringspeopletogetherwhenthings aredireoruncertain.Ifindthattobereallyinspirational.”
As2025comestoaclose,Pfiferhopesthatspirittranslatesintosupport.A$1monetary donationcanprovideuptothreemeals,sofinancialcontributionsarealwayswelcome. Inaddition,theFoodBankislookingtoincreasethenumberofcannedgoodsthatare donated.Thatfoodstayswithinthe11-parishregiontheFoodBankserves.
“Theneedisgreatinourcommunities,”shesaid.“However,thereisaninnatecareand compassionanddignitythatunitesusall We’rehopingthatturnsintomorepeople makingacommitmenttodonatewhattheycanonaregularbasis.”
Lilly&JaceKidsBoutique blendsSoutherncharm withseasonalstyle
ByAmandaMcElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticleisbrought to youby Lilly& Jace KidsBoutique.
Locatedat18303PerkinsRoadEast,Suite405B,Lilly&JaceKidsBoutiqueis withadistinctLouisianaflair.OwnerRebeccaLawsharedmoreaboutwhat shopperscanexpect.
Alotofpeoplebuykids’MardiGrasclothesaroundtheholidays.Whatitems willbeavailablethisyear?
We’llhaveeverythingfromtheiconicwhitemajorettebootstometallicand sequinedMardiGras-coloredjackets,shirtsandpants.We’rebringingbacksome favoritesfortheboys,liketheProperlyTiedMardiGrashats,beanies,socks,shirts andjackets.We’llhaveourclassicLuluBebepieces–traditionalMardiGrasrugby shirtsforboysandcoordinatingdressesforgirls.
Whataresometrendsyou’veseeninkids’holidayclothing?
EveryoneislovingtheclassicChristmastartanpattern.It’stimelessandperfectfor holidayphotos.Alotoffamilieswantcoordinatinglooks,soourtartanoxfordsfor boysanddressesforgirlshavebeenverypopular.Wealsohavematchingsibling setsinbabygirlandbabyboybubbles,whichhavebeenahugehit.
Arethereanybrandsordesignersyou’reexcitedtofeature?
I’malwayssoimpressedwithourLouisianabrands,LuluBebeandLullabySet.Their qualityandattentiontodetailareunmatched,andit’sagreatfeelingtosupport localdesigners.I’mreallyexcitedthisyeartofeatureSetProper,LullabySet’s tweenandteenline.It’sbeenfuntoexpandoursizing–wenowcarryuptoasize 14forbothboysandgirls.
Whatadvicedoyouhaveforpeopletryingtochoosetherightchildren’s clothing?
Stopfocusingontheageonthetag.Everybabygrowsdifferently.Ifyourbabyis longerandlighter,youmayneedtosizeuptoaccommodatethelength.It’sabout findingtherightbalancebetweenweightandheightratherthanjustgoingby age.
WhatsetsLilly&Jaceapartfromotherretailers?
Welovecreatingaspacewhereparentsandchildrenfeelcomfortableand happy.Wetakeourtimewitheverycustomertohelpthemfindexactlywhat theyarelookingfor,andwehavefunwhiledoingit.We’reheretomakeshopping personal,enjoyableandfullofheart.
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Highlightyourholiday seasonwithafreshlook bySalonEden
By Stevie Cavalier Licciardi I stevie.licciardi@theadvocate.com
You’llneverfeelfarfromhomeduringtheholidayseasonwhenyou’reat SalonEden Fornewcomersandreturningguestsalike,goingtoSalon Edenforafreshcutorholidayglamseshfeelsjustlikecominghome. OwnerMaryVerlanderandherstaffareexcitedtowelcomeyouandtohave youlookingandfeelingyourbestasyouheadouttoenjoyholidayfestivities.
SalonEden’sofferingsincludecut,colorandstylingservicesforallhairtypes. Lightening,balayageandhighlightsarealloptions,asarehairextensions, keratinstraighteningtreatmentsandbrowlaminations.
SalonEdenalsohascuratedhairandbeautyproductsthatmakethoughtful holidaygifts.Hand-craftedjewelry,bodycareproductsandhaircare packageswithbrandssuchasOribe,PaulMitchell,KevinMurphyandNutraful areavailableforpurchaseon-site.Feelconfidentknowingthatwhenyou supportlocalsmallbusinessowners,youareencouragingandupholdinglocal values
“Thereissucharichculturehere,andthat’ssomethingweallreallyenjoy abouttheBatonRougecommunity,”saidSethVerlander,SalonEdenMarketing Manager.“Wehaveclientsintheir70sgettingroot-touchupsandgrey coverage,andatthesametimewealsohaveLSUstudentswhowantvivid fashioncolorsanddramaticchanges.Wegettodosomuch,andourstylists aretrulyartists.”
SalonEdenopenedin2006withthreestylistsinastudioinBatonRouge’s Bocageneighborhood.Today,itisafixtureinTowneCenterwith16stylists onstaffandplanstoexpandtoasecondlocation.Formoreinformation onupcomingeventsandholidaypromotions,followthemon Instagram@SalonEden.
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This article is brought to you by Salon Eden.
SweetheartNailsDelivers Calm,ConfidenceandLongTermNailWellness
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By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
This article is brought to you by Sweetheart Nails.
Great-lookingnailscanelevateaperson’sconfidence,especiallyduringtheholidays,when gatherings,photosandcelebrationsfillthecalendar.Beyondstyle,takingcareofyournails offerstimeforself-careinaseasonthatcanfeelbusyandoverwhelming.SweetheartNails inBatonRougeisreadytohelpyoulookandfeelyourbestwithhigh-qualityservicesinanelegant atmosphere,aswellasadedicationtothehighestsafetyandsanitationstandards OwnerBao TruongsharedmoreaboutwhatmakesSweetheartNailsspecial.
WhatsetsSweetheartNailsapartfromothersalons?
Wecreateapersonalizedandthoughtfulexperiencefocusedongentle,detailed nailcareanddesignsthatfeeluniquetoeveryclient.Ourpriorityishealthynatural nails,long-termnailhealthandcustombeauty.Clientssayouratmosphereis calming,welcomingandintentional–aspacewheretheycanslowdownand feeltakencareof.Wewantpeopletoleavenotonlylovingtheirnails,butfeeling refreshedandconfident
Whatareyourmostpopularservicesorstyles?
Ourmostrequestedlooksrightnowaresoftneutralbuildergeloverlays;tortoise, chromeorauragradientdesigns;classicFrenchnails;minimallineartorombre, cleanstructuredgelmanicuresandseasonalcolorpalettes Ingeneral,clients lovestylesthatlookeffortlessandelevated–somethingthatfeelspolished butstillnaturalandwearableeveryday.Wespecializeinlooksthatgrowout beautifullyandcomplementpersonalstyleinsteadofoverpoweringit.
Howcanpeoplekeeptheirnailshealthybetweenappointments?
Smallhabitsmakeabigdifference.Whenyouhavehealthynails,thedesignslook evenbetterandlastlonger.
•Usecuticleoildailytokeepnailshydrated.
•Weargloveswhencleaningordoingdishestoavoiddrynessandlifting.
•Avoidpickingorpeelinggel.Alwayshaveitremovedprofessionally
•Prioritizemoisturizer,especiallywithcolderweather.
•Scheduleregularmaintenanceeverytwotothreeweekstokeep nailsstrongandshaped.
WoodhouseSpaoffersasanctuary ofcalmandrejuvenationamid thestressesoflife
ByAmandaMcElfresh
I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticleisbrought to youby WoodhouseSpa.
WoodhouseSpainBatonRougeofferstheopportunitytostepawayfrom everydaylifeandfullyrelax,bothmentallyandphysically.Dimlighting, soothingmusic,calmingscentsandapeacefulatmospherehelpquiet themindandeasetension,whilehighlytrainedstaffmembersofferservicesto meltawaytensionandrejuvenatethebody.OwnerErinWarnersharedmore aboutwhatWoodhousehastoofferforpeopleofallages.
WhatservicesatWoodhousearethemostpopular? Itreallydependsonthecustomer.Somepeoplespendadayhereandhave multipleservices.Somecomeeachweekormonthforamassageorfacial. Wehaveavarietyofmassages,fromdeeptissuetohotstonemassages,and peopleaskforthosealot.Thefacialsaresogoodforhydration,renewaland detoxification.We’realsoseeingalotofpeoplewhowantbodytreatmentswith aromatherapyoilsandnutrient-richminerals.
Whatbenefitsaretheretohavingregularmassages,facialsorotherspa treatments?
Massageshavenumerousbenefitsforaperson’swholehealth.Theyhelpdrop aperson’scortisollevelsandshakeofftheanxietyofdailylife.It’sagoodway torecenterandrebalance.Whenitcomestoskincare,ouraestheticiansare licensedandtrainedtotakecareofallskintypes.Forcustomerswhocome regularly,wetracktheirprogressandhaveseenmajorimprovementsinacne,fine linesandoverallskinappearance.
Doyouseeclientsfromcertaindemographicsmoreoftenthanothers?
Wedefinitelyseemorewomen,butwedoseeseveralmen.Weusuallystart seeingyoungerprofessionalsaroundtheir30s,allthewayuptopeoplewhoare retired.It’sabroadrangeofpeoplefromallwalksoflife.
WhatdoyouthinksetsWoodhouseSpaapart?
Weputalotofthoughtintoeverydetailsothateachpersonhasanexperience thatwillbenefitthem.Ithinkthatisthemainreasonwehavesomanyclientswho keepcomingbacktous.Wealsodoalotofspapartiesforbirthdaysandbridal showers,plusspecialtreatmentsforcouplescelebratinganniversaries.There’sa lotofflexibilityintermsofwhatweoffer.
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Zippy’sthriveswithwelcoming neighborhoodvibesaftermajor refreshandremodel
By Amanda McElfresh I amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Oand More.
nerecentafternoon,NealHendricklookedaroundZippy’s,hisrestaurantthathas beenaPerkinsRoadstaplesince2001.Agroupofmotorbikeridersatetogetheratone endoftheeatery.Elsewhere,familieswithyoungchildrenhappilygatheredas80inchtelevisionsshowedthelatestsportsnews.Atthebar,Zippy’sregularsenjoyeddrinks–perhapsoneoftheeightflavorsoffrozendaiquiris,madeonlywiththebestmixes.
“Zippy’sisdifferentbecausethereissomethingforeverybody.Ourcustomerbaseisso diverseineverypossiblerespect,”Hendricksaid.“Yet,whentheycomehere,everybody relaxesandhasfun.Ilovetoseethat We’reinthebusinessofmakingpeoplehappy.We haveseveralemployeeswhohavebeenwithusforwelloveradecade.Somehavetheir ownkidsworkingherenowandhavebecomecustomers.That’sreallygratifyingandI thinkspeakstothejoypeoplehavewhenitcomestoZippy’s.”
TherestaurantisinwhatHendrickcallstheZippy’s2.0eraaftera$1.8millionrenovation
Theresultisexpandedseating,windowsthatcoverabout70percentoftherestaurant andcanbeopenedduringniceweather,alargerbararea,largerwomen’srestrooms andawelcomingoutdoorenvironment.
“Zippy’sislikeifyourfavoritebeachbarandyourfavoriteIrishpubhadababy,”Hendrick said.“Thatatmospherewhereeverybodyfeelswelcomeiswhatwearegoingfor.”
HendrickstartedthinkingaboutchangingthingsatZippy’sasitnearedits20-year anniversary Then,therewasthepandemic.Zippy’sremainedopen,leaningintooutdoor eatinganddelivery.Hendrickandhisteamdiscoveredthatcustomerswantedgood foodinaspaciousenvironmentwiththeflexibilitytodinewithasmanyorasfew peopleastheywanted–whetheritwashighschoolerslookingforanafternoonsnack, 20-somethingsfillingupbeforehittingthenearbybarscene,oryoungchildrenwhoare enthralledbywatchingtheirfoodbeingmade.
TheZippy’smenuincludesburritos,quesadillas,tacos,enchiladas,chimichangas,flautas, empanadas,fajitas,nachosandsalads.Abrunchmenuwillbeavailableonweekends beginninginearly2026.
“About90percentofourcustomersfindadishtheylikeandstickwithit,”Hendricksaid. “Thatmeanswehavetomaintainthequalityandconsistencyofthefoodeverytime We don’treallyconcentrateonaddingabunchofnewthings Wefocusongivingyouthe samefoodjustthewayyourememberitfromthelasttimeyoucametoZippy’s.”
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This article is brought to you by Zippy’s Burritos, Tacos
