LYD Spotlight: January 2012 - Shreveport, LA

Do you enjoy the lights, shows, and casinos of Las Vegas, but don’t have the time to escape from work or the funds for a lavish hotel and airfare? Well, no worries, because LYD has a fun, quick getaway by route of Louisiana! Grab the keys, pack the snacks, and get ready for adventure, entertainment, and a chance to win big money in Shreveport, Louisiana! From Dallas, the ‘Port is a breezy, pine tree-lined, three hour drive heading east on Interstate 30. Shreveport is the third largest city in the Bayou State, housing several casinos, restaurants, and many family-fun attractions.

Shreveport was originally founded in 1836 by Shreve Town Company and has evolved into a metropolis based on commercial businesses. This city hosts various riverboat gambling casinos like Sam’s Town and Eldorado Casino that float legally atop the Red River. The casinos have games for the high rollers and, of course, plenty of games for the regular people looking to have a good time an maybe win some extra funds. Try your luck at several casino classics: themed slot machines, Blackjack, Poker, Texas Hold’em and even War! Regardless of your betting strategy, enjoy yourself, have fun, and sip on the complimentary cocktails!

Gambling isn’t the only thing Shreveport’s offers their guests-- the Louisiana Boardwalk has numerous venues for shopping, eating, and entertainment along the Red River. Check out the concert schedule while in town because the Shreveport- Bossier Convention Center always has something going and you never know what musician might be playing. If you want to see the stars and take a constellation challenge, head to Sci- Port: Louisiana’s Science Center to check out the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium and views of the International Space Station.

If you want to step off the steamboat to see where the locals eat, Shreveport is home to some great Louisiana cuisines. Get ready to sink your teeth in some spicy Cajun creations and southern fried seafood at The Blind Tiger Restaurant and Bar on Texas Street. Only a 10 minute walk from Sam’s Town and the Eldorado Casino, Blind Tiger, will suppress the hunger bug and increase your energy to win BIG! Start the night off with happy hour (3-7PM everyday) cocktails or tapped beer. LYD suggest a Louisiana traditional favorite-- Craw Fish Etouffee; the bed of rice is topped off with bite-size craw fish that are slow-cooked and smothered in the Blind Tiger’s original etouffee sauce of celery, onions, and New Orleans’ spices. The Blind Tiger’s special sauce and New Orleans’ spice will definitely warm the heart, but if you’re looking for even more fire, add that famous Louisiana Hot Sauce and get your engines revving! So enjoy a last minute day trip with just a short drive from Dallas to Shreveport for some R&R at the casinos with all the fixings of Vegas at just half the price. It’s a great getaway for a girls weekend or a romantic rendezvous at one of Shreveport’s Bed and Breakfasts. Be brave and venture somewhere new this weekend!

Here are some helpful links:
www.blindtigerrestaurant.com
120 Texas Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
318-226-8747
Get Directions

www.bedandbreakfast.com/shreveport-louisiana.html
www.samstownshreveport.com
www.eldoradoshreveport.com
www.shreveport.com

Chef Point Cafe - Watauga, TX

Fill ‘er up! Out in Watauga, Texas stands a Conoco filling station that holds a hidden yet fabulous eatery-- the Chef Point Cafe. For anyone who has not heard of Chef Point Cafe it is the ultimate entrepreneurial story that can inspire anyone with a dream to own a restaurant. Franson Nwaeze, co-owner and chef of Chef Point Cafe started this establishment in 2003 with his wife as the business know-how and him with the cooking prowess. And even though Franson originally moved to America in 1981 with the hopes of obtaining his pilot license, he also discovered by working as a dishwasher in kitchens at a young age to make ends meet that he had a knack for cooking. Over the course of 20 years plus that international move, he worked his way up to cooking for and running five-star kitchens. Chef Franson and his wife, Paula Merrell, decided to take a shot at their own American dream and began applying for loans to open a restaurant, which turned into a daunting task due to their lack of experience and up front capital. In their search for a way to support their dream, the husband and wife team discovered a loop-hole; it’s much easier to apply for a loan to open a gas station. With hard work and determination, the power couple turned a Conoco station into a high class restaurant with Franson as the master chef. At present day the restaurant has expanded several times since opening and has recently added a full-service bar. Add to that story that Franson did become a registered pilot! Both Franson and Paula deem their opening of the restaurant/gas station a success in their life and the lesson to learn from them is to dream big and never stop dreaming!

www.chefpointcafe.org
5901 Watauga Road
Watauga, TX 76148
817-656-0080
Get Directions

Now let's get down to grubbin’. Start the meal of with a fresh draught beer from a local brewery or sip on the cocktail of the day. For an appetizer, why not try the ‘What Nots’-- six flavorful mushroom caps stuffed with three cheeses. The cheese collaboration is delectable and then these savory caps are sautéed in a tasty buttery garlic sauce good enough to keep dousing your bread with it! Next up are some don’t-miss dishes for hungry patrons to gobble up. Continue on to the soup course with the Ciopino Soup, which was featured recently in Paula Deen’s magazine for the Italian-inspired wine and tomato fish sauce simmered with an entire days catch from the sea. Also try either Lobster Bisque or Florentine Tomato Soup for creamy and heavenly rich creations sure to satisfy the ultimate soup lover. For the lobster aficionado misplaced in the Lone Star State, the divinely creamy bisque is swimming with extravagant chunks of lobster. On the menu it will read lobster cooked to perfection and that ain't no exaggeration! Good gracious, you shouldn’t need much convincing on what to order there! Hope you saved room for the hefty helpings of the main course, because Chef Franson really knows how to appeal to his Southern patrons with big appetites.