Here at last are tasting notes from Lake Charles, where the food soars from down home to upscale without skipping a Zydeco beat. Our top picks from this cozy little corner of Calcasieu Parish include:

1. Down Home Breakfast:

Boudin (rice and pork) sausage from the Market Basket grocery and warm beignets from Delicious Donuts and Bakery – sweet, pillowy and addictive.

2. High-End Breakfast:

Otis & Henry’s lovely upscale brunch features Creole Eggs Benedict, French toast, Eggs Sardou, omelettes, Belgian waffles, crabcakes and seafood, plus a signature donut bread pudding. Arrive hungry!

3. Down Home Lunch:

Steamboat Bill’s offers gumbo, etouffé, red beans & rice, “lovingly boiled” crawfish, plus catfish, shrimp, oysters, Po’ Boys, and soft shell crab. Extra napkins recommended.

4. Best Coffeehouse:

Stellar Beans is a friendly gathering place for artists, locals and the hipster crowd with Monday night poetry slams, free WiFi, robust coffee, chai drinks and frothy cappucino.

5. Down Home Meets High-End:

121 Artisan Bistro serves Italian classics and Bayou favorites like a crisp Tuscan salad with a silky shrimp bisque. Indulge in a cocktail by 121’s Jacob Trevino – I recommend the “Hemingway” with Pernod, fresh blackberries and Champagne.

6. High-End Evening:

Ember Grill and Wine Bar’s signature seafood appetizer of crab legs, claws, lobster, mussels, clams, prawns and oysters is a fresh, icy tower of wow. Don’t miss their tiny succulent lamb chops, truffle mac & cheese, organic salads, and legendary “Tomahawk” steaks. Linger awhile over Ramos Pinto Tawny Port and decadent Ember chocolate truffles.

* NOTE: We didn’t try alligator but were assured it’s available … and that it tastes just like chicken.