In the know
River Room, 222 Laurel St., Baton Rouge, has new cocktails on the menu, including the "From Eden," which is made with Greenhouse gin, Pamplemousse, Chareau liqueur and lime juice.
Paella night: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pelican to Mars, 2678 Government St., Baton Rouge
Pelican to Mars and Solera Bar and Tasting Room are hosting a culinary mashup on the second Wednesday of each month. Solera will bring out the paella pan, and Pelican to Mars will provide the drinks and suggested pairings.
Bastille Day: Thursday, July 11, to Saturday, July 13, at Eliza Restaurant and Bar, 7970 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge
Enjoy Eliza's 5th annual Bastille Day dinner menu with expertly paired wines. The four-course menu features black olive tapenade, gnocchi Parisienne, coq au vin and crepes suzette. Tickets start at $60, with a $45 charge for wine pairings.
Space is limited, and reservations are recommended at elizabatonrouge.com.
Tasting hour: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19, at The Plantry, 5454 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge
Are you a dedicated Yelper? Do you love plant-based cuisine? Join the Yelp community at The Plantry Cafe for a tasting hour to try complimentary, bite-sized, plant-based menu items. Full menu items and wine will be available to purchase as well.
Secure your spot at yelp.com/events.
Markets and more
Sugar cane field day: 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, with LSU AgCenter, 5755 LSU Ag Road, St. Gabriel
Learn more about the sugar cane industry at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station. LSU Ag Center field days offer the chance to participate in field tours, demonstrations, workshops, seminars and more. Farmers and attendees can learn about new crop varieties, pest management strategies, soil health practices, irrigation techniques, livestock management and other relevant topics.
Experts will be present to share knowledge and answer questions.
Yoga at the market: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 2398 Irene Blvd., Baton Rouge
All ages can enjoy yoga every third Thursday of the month at the Red Stick Farmers Market. Bring your mat and your tote bag to shop after class. Instructors will set up in the grassy area next to the market.
Wine and spirits
Wine tasting dinner: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Crowne Plaza Executive Center, 4728 Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge
Feeling fancy? Want to support a cause? The wine dinner at Crowne Plaza will feature a five-course menu with music from Opera Louisiane to support the musical organization. The menu includes pan-seared octopus vegetable salad paired with a Giacosa Fratelli 2022 Arneis Roero Arneis; beef tenderloin, foie gras and a port wine demi glaze paired with a Banfi 2018 Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino; and more.
Tickets are $150 per person, available for purchase by calling (225) 925-2244. All retail wine proceeds will go to Opera Louisiane.
Mark your calendar
Leisure cooking class: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 3, at Louisiana Culinary Institute, 10550 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge
Elevate your culinary expertise with chef Maureen Ned at LCI's Mediterranean feast leisure cooking class. Learn how to prepare an effortless chicken shawarma dish with all the fixings like cucumber salad, herbed rice, homemade naan and garlic hummus.
Tickets are $150 per person, available for purchase at lci.edu/store.
Red Stick Flavor Festival: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, at 3745 Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge
Enjoy a celebration of food, culture and community at the Red Stick Flavor Festival with local food trucks, music, artists and more. Tickets start at $20, available for purchase at eventbrite.com.
Food adds so much to the equation of living well. It can be all the things — luxurious, cheap, communal, intimate, simple and complex. In Baton Rouge, the culinary scene ranges the complete spectrum of senses.
This weekly space brings you insider foodie news, helpful tips and details of food/wine events for all of your bon vivant aspirations. Email Lauren Cheramie with food news at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate.com.