Now that Mardi Gras is in the rearview mirror and March is upon us, I wanted to take some time to revisit some of the towns on the Northshore. First up, a sunny Saturday in Covington!

March to the Market

The Covington Farmers Market is one of my favorite stomping grounds in St. Tammany Parish. Here, you have a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with food, crafts and music. You will also find a large selection of live native, ornamental and culinary plants. The market is open every Wednesday (10 am – 2 pm) and Saturday (8 am – noon). Whichever day you go, I recommend you get there early for the greatest selection.

March Downtown for History

I adore small-town main streets and historic downtowns, and Covington is in my Top 10. The district is laid out in squares, so it is easy to navigate, and the free parking makes it even easier. With many shops, art galleries and restaurants, you will spend hours strolling the streets. My top “not-miss” is H.J. Smith’s Son General Store and Museum, a unique mercantile and museum founded in 1876. Such a flavorful place!

Yummy food awaits you at Pyre Provisions. Be sure to order the fried pimento cheese! (Photo courtesy of LouisianaNorthshore.com)

March Toward the Fire

Covington is known for its expansive restaurant choices. When it was time for an early dinner, I knew I had to check out Pyre Provisions. I have heard time and again about this amazing wood-fire restaurant. I will be honest; I never had to look past the appetizers. Once I saw smoked pork belly, fried pimento cheese and fried oysters, I knew it would be an all-app night. A return trip is warranted, as I saw plenty of plates full of delicious ribs, chicken and brisket pass by me.

While this is only one day in Covington for me, I hope this gives you some ideas of all that this cool town has to offer in March (and year-round)!

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our back-to-normal continues to evolve. Not sure if you feel like COVID-19 stands for the number of pounds gained over these last several months, but it is spot-on for me. I want to thank the amazing St. Tammany Parish restaurants that have helped add those pounds. While there are too many to list in one post, here are three of my favorites in Covington:

Del Porto Ristorante

Oh my gosh, whenever you crave fresh Italian food (always for me), look no further than Del Porto Ristorante. In addition to their typical delicious offerings, family-style dinners are currently available. Some recent entrees are pork loin porchetta style, chicken Parmesan and giant (as in full sheet pan) pizzas. Don’t forget their incredible cocktail kits! By the way, Del Porto was recently awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2020.

Lola’s food is simply exceptional, including their signature white truffle fries!

Lola

How can you feel anything but pure joy at a former train depot now home to some of the best Louisiana cooking around? Lola masters creativity, as evidenced by their innovative recipes, many of which can be found here. Chefs and owners Nealy and Keith Frentz are huge supporters of local seafood, and we are the lucky benefactors. Redfish, Gulf shrimp salad and Louisiana catfish are just some of the menu items. Don’t forget to indulge in the Hummingbird cake. Lola is currently open for lunch, and there is plenty of outdoor deck seating.

Gallagher’s Grill

Seafood is one thing our parish is known for, but sometimes you just want a juicy steak. Whenever that desire hits me, I head to Gallagher’s Grill. While there are three locations, I favor the one in Covington. No matter what style or cut you prefer, you will walk away satisfied (and likely stuffed). Even so, save some room for the flourless chocolate pyramid. There is no way to adequately describe this spectacular treat, so just trust me on this one.

These restaurants each offer delectable starters, entrees and desserts sure to please. And, these three places deliver on one resounding thing: a memorable meal, whether dining in or out.

On my visit to Baton Rouge for an LSU game some weeks back, I was pleasantly surprised at just how cool this place is. Being just over an hour from the Heart of the Northshore in St. Tammany Parish, I knew it was well worth my time for a second look.

Something Old

With the Old State Capitol Building’s majestic exterior, I felt like a princess walking into her castle.

My first stop was a visit to the past. The Old State Capitol Building was the site of some significant historic events, including the state’s secession from the Union to the attempted impeachment of Governor Huey Long. This magnificent structure was opened as the capitol building in 1852, only to be taken over by Union soldiers a decade later during the Civil War. Since that time, the building was burnt to the ground, rebuilt, closed and finally restored as a museum.

The exterior is pure grandeur. I learned that while the facade appears to be stone, it is actually bricks covered in plaster. (I still don’t know why that was the case.) The interior is just as beautiful, with ornate furnishings throughout. The extensive artifacts, art and antiques make for quite an enjoyable few hours. I was told you can even spend the night in the basement. That’s a hard pass for me, as I saw the “Ghost in the Castle” movie shown earlier in my tour.

Something New

Now it was time to visit the present, and what better way than to indulge in great Louisiana food. While New Orleans is known as a foodie’s number-one, Baton Rouge just might be a close second. The overall recommendation I received for a tasty lunch was Capital City Grill. Let me go on record to say, always listen to the locals! The menu did not disappoint, from the shrimp and corn bisque (go ahead and get the bowl) to the pecan redfish (translates to delicious perfection).

I needed to get back to the Northshore for a meeting, however I knew a return visit would be in order. Thank goodness St. Tammany Parish is so close!