Caffeinating Lafayette

            We love our coffee in South Louisiana, whether it’s straight black, with cream and sugar or full of those fancy new flavors. Because of our Creole and Cajun heritage, our coffee packs a punch — just like our flavorful cuisine!

            Like most cities, Lafayette has its share of Starbucks, plus Community Coffee restaurants, a Louisiana coffee producer with headquarters in Baton Rouge. But there are several locally owned coffee shops throughout Acadiana, plus Reve coffee roasters servicing the greater Acadiana area.

            Here are a few Lafayette coffee shops:

            America’s Coffee House downtown offers changing art exhibits, art events and comfy couches, plus free Wifi.

            Carpe Diem Gelato-Espresso Bar is another downtown spot where diners can purchase espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and café Americana, in addition to delectable gelato.

            Johnston Street Java offers coffee and locally produced baked goods, plus space for company, conversation and companionship in front of The Grand movie theater. Free Wi-Fi is available here and the restaurant includes a drive-through.

            In River Ranch, The Lab Handcrafted Coffees & Comforts provides coffees and teas but also cold sweet creams (a hybrid of ice cream and gelatos), artisan chocolate bars and pastries.

            Black Café in downtown Lafayette offers specialty coffees plus breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Their specialty are the Scottish Eggs, hard-boiled eggs wrapped in delicious items such as potatoes, pork sausage or chicken and fried.  

            Bibi’s Patisserie and Tea House is a dedicated gluten-free, low-glycemic, allergen friendly establishment that also serves up freshly made coffees.
           In neighboring Scott, there’s the Coffee Depot (be sure and sample the beignets) and in nearby Breaux Bridge, there’s Café Joie de Vivre.

What’s new at the Lafayette Science Museum

     During the fall, the Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium goes all out. 

     First, the museum hosts a “Bach Lunch” free music series beginning at 11:15 a.m. most Fridays in Parc San Souci, corner of Polk, Congress and Vermilion streets in downtown Lafayette. Restaurants serve up great food (by purchase) and bands perform free. 

     In October, the Museum of Fear opens nightly, a haunted house that’s so much more, and the month culminates with the Zombie Walk on Oct. 26. Folks in costumes (or perhaps escaping from “The Walking Dead”) begin their zombie trek from Parc San Souci and travel throughout the downtown Lafayette streets.

     “It’s so much fun to see people get scared,” said Kevin Krantz, director of the Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium. “The Zombie Walk is more performance art than anything else.”

     Finally, on Nov. 9, the museum teams up with Cité des Arts for the annual Steampunk and Makers Fair. 

     In the works are more partnerships, one with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise (LITE) Center, where the museum will highlight all of the impressive things happening at LITE.

     Another new feature to debut soon at the museum is the virtual aquarium.

     “We don’t have to clean it,” Krantz joked about the massive aquarium with hundreds of salt water fish people can view through 3-D glasses. “We don’t have to feed them either.”

     The following is the Bach Lunch schedule for fall, 2013:

     October 4: Les Freres Michot with food by Chris’ Po-Boys, Ema’s Café.

     October 11: The Mercy Brothers with food by Creole Lunch House, Hub City Diner, Joey’s Specialty Foods and Roly Poly.

     October 18: Sassafras Jubilee with food by Agave Cantina, O’Charley’s Restaurant and Joey’s Specialty Foods.

     October 25: The Yvette Landry Band with Chick Fil A, Deano’s, iMonelli and Poupart’s Bakery.

     November 1: Pine Leaf Trio with food by The French Press, Jefferson Street Pub and Zea’s Rotisserie & Grill.

     November 8: Les Bassettes with food by Cena to Go and Bailey’s Seafood & Grill.