After seeing Billy Ocean in concert, it’s no secret why his fans are still as enthusiastic as ever
JENNY BLOCK | Contributing Writer
JennyEBlock@icloud.com
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I set off for Lake Charles, La., with my bestie. I had been told there were casinos and Cajun food and outdoor adventures to be had. But I didn’t know much more than that.
Turns out it’s a great place to getaway that’s not too far away.
We started our adventures with lunch at Nina P’s Café, which was delicious. The only problem was that the menu had way too many great options to choose from, including fried green tomatoes, Cajun boudin balls, gumbo (of course), and fried chicken stuffed spuds.
After lunch, we headed over to the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu where David Faulk, the executive director, gave us the tour. I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea Mardi Gras was so big in Lake Charles. There are more than 65 Krewes in Southwest Louisiana, some more than 70 years old.
The museum is packed with fantabulous — and way over-the-top — headdresses and gowns. And the building itself is all shiny and new since it’s rebuild after Hurricane Laura in 2020. They are billed as the world’s largest display of Mardi Gras costumes, and, after taking it all in, I don’t doubt it for a second.
We checked in to Lauberge Du Lac Casino Resort after our museum visit, and I could not believe how massive it is — 26-stories with a 70,000-square-foot casino, 1,000 rooms, 147 luxury suites, a golf course and club, a spa, eight restaurants, pools, a lazy river and, of course, lots of shopping.
And the rooms were really nice — spacious and nicely decorated with beds that I quickly discovered might have been a little too comfy.
Cadillac Mexican Restaurant inside the Golden Nugget — right next to Lauberge — was our next stop. Although I have no idea how we could have eaten another thing, it was the dinner hour and who are we to say no to a flight of margaritas and enough fajitas for an army?! They were delicious, and our waiter was delightful, making the evening all the more fun.
Oh, and the margaritas came on a little tree. All I have to say is, I’m glad we shared!
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was brunch at The Bekery. Their bakery case was filled with the most beautiful scones, biscuits, muffins, quiches and a zillion other treats.
There were baskets of baguettes and sourdough bread, and, of course, a wealth of coffee and other drink options.
I am not going to lie to you: We drastically over ordered. But also — full disclosure — I could not have been happier that we did. We sat outside by the gas fireplace to keep warm, sipping coffee and enjoying the crisp morning. We tasted every single one of the goodies we got, and I’d do it all over again in a second.
Then it was time to do some walking, for sure. And we were very lucky to be in town for the Rodrigue: A Louisiana Cowboy show, which featured the work of George Rodrigue (of Blue Dog fame) at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, which is a stunning building. The show was amazing, and we even had the honor of meeting his widow, Wendy, who was lovely.
The show “features over 50 paintings, the iconic cow sculpture, and a selection of mixed-media works that reflect Rodrigue’s fascination with Western themes, Louisiana prairies and the spirit of the open landscape.”
After that, we slipped into the sweetest little gallery downtown called DPR Art Gallery. You might miss it if you’re not paying close attention. But you won’t want to miss it once you step into the charming little space. They have rotating exhibits from a variety of regional artists.
The work is top-notch, and the gallery host was delightful, ready to answer any questions and guide us through the work.
The truth is we did not have as much time as we would have liked to explore downtown Lake Charles. There was just too much to see. It is definitely on our list for our next visit.
For lunch, we went to Darrell’s Famous Poboys, as per the advice of the amazing Annie Schindler, owner and permanent jewelry artist at Soudé Welds. There we got fabulous BBF bracelets. Prior to that visit to Darrell’s I would have told you that I liked poboys well enough.
After that visit, I will be the first to tell you that I love them — the ones at Darrell’s any way.
That bread!
I have been craving the Darrell’s Special Poboy — their signature sandwich made with ham, turkey, roast beef and roast beef gravy and dressed with provolone, American and Swiss cheeses, lettuce, mustard and mayo (or jalapeño mayo) — ever since. I see another road trip in our not so distant future for sure.
We made sure to time our visit with one of the many festivals Lake Charles is home to: the Rum Revival Grand Tasting at the Golden Nugget. There we indulged in a ton of cocktail and rum and tequila tastings, along with Caribbean-inspired bites including the best pork straight from the pig on a spit right there onsite. Needless to say a nap was required following the sun-soaked and music-filled afternoon.
That night we went to see Billy Ocean at L’Auberge. As a child of the ’80s, I love his music. I had no idea until I researched him when we decided to see him perform that he has sold more than 30 million records to date. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. The guy is 76 years old, after all.
But let me tell you: He is a powerhouse. He danced and sang and flirted with the ladies running up to the stage to touch his hand and dance with him. It was so much fun. I had no clue how avid his fan base remains and, after seeing him perform, I now know why.
The crowd went crazy when he sang “Caribbean Queen” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car.” (My BFF had even designed and made custom tees for us to wear that bore the lyrics of the latter.)
The next day, we were grateful to spend time at The Golden Nugget Spa that offers nearly every kind of service from HydraFacials to full body treatments. The staff there was really wonderful, from the super-sweet women at the front desk who got us checked in to the fantabulous spa therapists with whom we had the most wonderful massages and facials.
We ended our trip with Zydeco Brunch at Rikenjacks. Every Sunday they offer live music by Zydecane alongside a menu that offers multiple hangover cures that, luckily, we did not need that morning — although the chicken and waffles we had would have done the trick for sure.
I honestly had no idea what Lake Charles had to offer. The answer is: A lot. Whether you like gambling or dining or shopping or gallery-going or outdoor adventuring, you’re going to love Lake Charles. Just one favor to ask: May I hitch a ride when you go?