Your Guide to High-End Shopping & Dining in Acadiana
Thanks to its lucrative oil and gas industry, regional medical centers and entrepreneurial spirit, Lafayette is host to a wealth of upscale shopping and dining options. At one time, as many as one in 15 families enjoyed a net worth of $1 million or more. Today, the Hub City is the premier shopping and dining destination for some 500,000 residents throughout Acadiana as well as visitors from around the world.
Shopping
Mainstreet River Ranch is a charming and walkable shopping center home to many high-end retailers. Local retailer kiki offers an excellent collection of designer clothing, handbags, and accessories from such names as Tom Ford, Tory Burch, Anya Hindmarch, and Proenza Schouler. (1910 Kaliste Saloom Road, ShopkikiOnline.com, 337-406-0904)
Park Lane is the place to shop for special occasions, where stunning cocktail dresses and gowns are hand-selected in New York by tastemaker owner Aileen Dauterive. (111 Settlers Trace Blvd., #1004, parklaneboutiquela.com, 337-534-8682 )
Tucked into the sleek white exterior of Parc Lafayette is Partners Limited, which has dressed the city’s finest for more than three decades. Men and woman will find everything they need from a sophisticated day at the office to a fashionable night out on the town. (1907 Kaliste Saloom Road, Facebook.com/PartnersLtd, 337-984-9933)
Another great store for men, F. Camalo, has been a mainstay in The Oil Center since 1977. F. Camalo has been named one of the Top 100 menswear stores in America by Esquire magazine. Frank and Peggy Camalo feature leading Italian brands, including Canali, Gravati and Ravazzolo—the company that made custom clothing for both Presidents Bush. (416 Heymann Blvd.,
Facebook.com/FCamalo, 337-233-4984)
For beautiful fur coats for winter’s dazzling Mardi Gras season, shop Raffaele near Moncus Park. Since 1979, Raffaele has offered an exquisite selection of furs as well as storage, restyling, repairs, cleaning, glazing, and furs made to order. (2817 Johnston St., SouthCollegeCenterLaf.com/RaffaeleFurs, 337-234-0900)
In Scott at Revival Antiques, savvy shoppers love discovering high-quality antiques and Persian rugs. The store even features a boutique and showroom for its large selection of genuine authenticated pre-owned Louis Vuitton handbags and luggage. (910 Alfred St., Scott, Facebook.com/Revival-Antiques-Etc, 337-235-2585)
Have you dreamed about owning your own Fabergé egg? The most exquisite replicas in the world can be found near Lafayette in Maurice at Vivian Alexander. Alexander Caldwell’s work has been seen on The Romanoffs and Ocean’s Twelve and praised by the Forbes family who owns the world’s most extensive Fabergé collection. The public is invited to shop Vivian Alexander’s minaudiéres and objets d’art by making an advance appointment. (6165 Picard Lane, Maurice, VivianAlexander.com, 337-898-0803)
Wining & Dining
Louisiana-based Ruth’s Chris frequently hosts fabulous TasteMaker wine dinners in their private event room. Enjoy some of the finest vintners in the country like Caymus and Stag’s Leap, paired perfectly with your five-course meal—including Ruth’s Chris famous steak, of course. (620 W. Pinhook, RuthsChris.com, 337-237-6123)
Sister restaurants Social Southern Table & Bar and Charley G’s are a few local favorites. Recently named among the “Best Bourbon Bars in America,” Social Southern Table & Bar boasts a comprehensive menu of Scotch, whiskey, and bourbons including the elusive Pappy Van Winkle. (3901 Johnston St., SocialSouthern.com, 337-456-3274)
Charley G’s is a steak and seafood-lovers delight with an elegant dining room and lively piano bar. Browse a list of more than 125 bottles from the digital wine list. Charley G’s also utilizes the Coravin wine preservation system, allowing exceptional wines usually sold by the bottle available by the glass. (3809 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, CharleyGs.com, 337-981-0108)
The charming Breaux Bridge bed and breakfast Maison Madeline hosts its Secret Suppers series in the fall and spring. Sit outside along beautiful Lake Martin and enjoy music by Grammy-winning and nominated performers as well as exquisite meals prepared by James Beard award-winning and nominated chefs. Past dinners have included musicians Cedric Watson and Joel and Wilson Savoy as well as chefs Manny Augello, Alfredo Nogueira, Bronwen Wyatt, and Joaquin Rodas. (1015 John D. Hebert, Breaux Bridge, www.MaisonMadeleine.com, 337-332-4555)
