Trail Blog
August 22, 2011
Saturday: Natchitoches and Shreveport-Bossier
Three-day weekend: Red River Riches Trail Itinerary
SATURDAY
Breakfast: If you happen to be staying at one of the area’s charming bed and breakfasts, you’ll likely wake up to a yummy breakfast served in-house. At the Judge Porter House and Andrew Morris House, for example, breakfast is an event you won’t mind waking early for (http://www.natchitochesbandb.com). Courses include treats like cherry crisps, eggs B`enedict, Belgian waffles and more. If you aren’t staying at an inn with breakfast, try Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant (http://www.lasyones.com). Yes, they are best known for meat pies, those savory fried turnovers, but they serve up a great breakfast too—and you can still order one of the pies with your eggs and hash browns!
Work up an appetite: The stores of Front Street were likely closed when you arrived in town for dinner on Friday. Take time this morning to stroll through the shops. One of note for foodies: Cane River Kitchenware (318.238.3600). Shop their gourmet products and try their Saturday-morning samples!
Lunch: While on Front Street, tuck into Mama’s Oyster House for a shrimp, oyster, catfish or crawfish poboy (http://mamasoysterhouse.com).
Work up an appetite: Travel through the Cane River National Heritage Area to find some of the state’s best examples of Creole architecture (http://www.caneriverheritage.org). Melrose Plantation has a wonderful history. Marie Therese Coincoin, a freed slave, owned the plantation in the late 1700s. In the 20th century, the plantation was home to Clementine Hunter, a cook at Melrose who became known as a talented primitive artist, creating paintings depicting plantation life. See some of her work in the property’s African House.
Dinner: After an afternoon touring the Cane River plantations, hop back on I-49 North to Shreveport. For a fine dining experience alongside the Red River, try Ernest’s Orleans, known for their marinated crab claws (http://www.ernestsorleans.com/). Find a good steak and lively bar scene at Superior’s Steakhouse (http://www.superiorssteakhouse.com/).
