In October 2013 I wrote about the proliferation of chains and fast food in Baton Rouge. My article "Baton Rouge Restaurants: Now and the Future" focuses on the how chain restaurants stifle modern cuisine and local entrepreneurs by using their majority as power. Chains thrive because of us, we consciously choose to support them. The best places to eat in Baton Rouge are small local eateries.
I have three picks for this article. These restaurants are all local. The menus have nothing to do with any typical Louisiana cuisine. The through line is these picks are local to Baton Rouge but also local to food and culture from other countries. Nino's (Italian), Dim Sum Restaurant (Eponymous), and Rama (Thai). These restaurants are all local to Baton Rouge and I believe they have the elements that can progress our restaurant culture.
My selections for this article have one location each and they are in Baton Rouge. Dim Sum Restaurant and Rama have casual atmosphere and prices. Nino's atmosphere and prices are higher.
Dim Sum Restaurant (225-926-0909) 9431 Delcourt Ave. Baton Rouge
, LA
This place is what a Dim Sum joint should be like. The menu has all the ranges of plate sizes. For example the dumplings and different types of rolls (spring rolls, egg rolls, etc.) are small plates. Then you have larger plates that are clay pot entrees, or stir fry dishes with rice or noodles. My favorite thing to do here is to order all of the dumplings. Don't miss the dumplings with shrimp (Steamed Chive Gow & Ha Gow). The food nerds I know also respect the clay pots and rice noodles here.
Nino's Italian (225-757-9300) 7512 Bluebonnet Blvd Baton Rouge, LA
Nino's is the best Italian restaurant in Baton Rouge. They are one of the Baton Rouge restaurants proudly representing the modern cuisine movement which is utterly dependent on fresh ingredients and fresh ideas. This is their mission statement that is on their website: "A modern take on traditional Italian cuisine.
Handmade wheat sourdough, hand-rolled pasta, locally grown produce,
and fresh Louisiana gulf seafood."
They live up to their ideals. I gave the other Baton Rouge Italian joints a chance and they are far behind Nino's. Nino's plates are all pretty, the portions are just right, and the pasta is fresh and chewy without being grainy. It has that smooth al dente texture without being too firm, great pasta hits that sweet spot when it is not too chewy (undercooked) and not too soft (overcooked). I would recommend anything on the menu here. When it comes to Baton Rouge Italian this is the only place I recommend.
Rama (225-387-5943) 2919 Perkins Rd Baton Rouge, LA
This is a hole in the wall Thai restaurant that has good food for a good price. Appetizer, entree, and a beer would cost you about twenty bucks. And you will have leftovers. I don't see clear noodles often. Rama has a clear noodle dish with shrimp and pork. These clear noodles are light like Pho rice noodles, a starch that doesn't leave the stomach groggy. The menu is also sprinkled with different curries that come with rice or noodles. Unique dishes like green duck curry. The duck was cooked to a well temperature in the green curry sauce. I liked that because I prefer duck to be cooked closer to well done than most.
If you are trying to get away from fast food and chains try these places out. The strongest area of the Baton Rouge restaurant game is the local eatery/restaurant. There are many other places I could mention like Fleur de Lis (pizza), Zeeland St. Market (awesome plate lunches), and Viet Garden (Pho). These places share the strategy of having a simple food concept and executing it well and consistently.
Baton Rouge could come up in the restaurant game. All we need is the market to step up and demand more.
