From Bayou to Plate: The Spoonbill Watering Hole Experience

Louisiana Cajun food has a reputation for being spicy. At least, that is what I thought when someone mentioned Cajun cuisine. However, that is inaccurate; Cajun food is well-seasoned - not spicy, which I found out on a group trip to Lafayette during the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.

Spoonbill Watering Hole in Lafayette, LouisianaPhoto byHeather Raulerson

After wandering around downtown Lafayette during the Second Saturday Artwalk, admiring the art murals, and browsing the boutique shops, we headed to the Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant for a late dinner. The Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant is located at the corner of Jefferson and Lee Avenue in a 1930s historical Conoco Gas filling station. Since opening in November 2018, it has seen a steady stream of customers due to its location, anchoring one end of downtown Lafayette’s main street with its red and purple neon lights, dog-friendly outdoor patio, and creative take on Louisiana cuisine.

Open Concept Design of Spoonbill Watering HolePhoto byHeather Raulerson

Since it was Saturday night, we had to wait for a table that would fit our group of nine. While waiting, we could look around the restaurant through the open patio wall to see the chef preparing the mouth-watering dishes in the open kitchen and order a craft cocktail at the long, curvy bar. I’m unsurprised that Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant was a finalist for the 2020 James Beard Award for outstanding restaurant design. The open concept and friendly atmosphere make it inviting for locals and Lafayette visitors to hang out here.

Ginger Chili CauliflowerPhoto byHeather Raulerson

We didn’t have to wait long before the server came to take our order after we were seated on the outdoor patio. The drink menu is extensive, covering an entire side of the menu. The creative cocktails have fun names like Lafayette Sidecar, Mango Sticky Rice, and Cyn City Sipper. Other beverage options include spritzes, mocktails, margaritas, tiki tropical drinks, beer, wine, and hot and cold coffee. Once ordered, the drinks were delivered swiftly.

Crispy Duck TendersPhoto byHeather Raulerson

Since we had a large group, we decided to try a bunch of appetizers to share. We tried the Crispy Duck Tenders with a spicy orange glaze, Crab Quesadilla, Artichoke Dip with Spicy Ranch Crackers, and my favorite, the Ginger Chili Cauliflower, which was rice flour fried cauliflower florets tossed with green onions in a ginger chili maple glaze. The chili spice made the cauliflower so favorable. We enjoyed ourselves so much, chatting and munching on the appetizers, that we almost forgot to order our meals.

BBQ ShrimpPhoto byHeather Raulerson

However, I’m glad we didn’t because the main dishes were fantastic. My friends chose the Seared Tuna and BBQ Shrimp. The Seared Tuna was over an avocado crema with roasted poblano and red onion topped with a green dragon sauce and chili oil. The BBQ Gulf Shrimp was tasty, swimming in a creamy mixture of beer, butter, and Creole spice. I chose something that reminded me of my time spent in Southeast Asia: the Bibimbap Wrap. The wrap was filled with marinated Bulgogi beef, green rice, carrot kimchi, fried egg, and a red dragon sauce. The conversations slowed down as we immersed ourselves in devouring our meal. Spoonbill Watering Hill & Restaurant also has many dessert options, but we had other plans for the rest of the night, so we passed on dessert.

Seared TunaPhoto byHeather Raulerson

The chef, Jeremy Conner, takes seafood harvested from the Gulf and transforms it from traditional Gulf seafood to something extra, as he puts it, “in-your-face flavor.” I think most dishes at Spoonbill Watering Hole have an Asian flare, which I found exceptional. The rest of our group thought it as well, as we kept mentioning how wonderful our dinner was that night for the remainder of our visit to Lafayette.

BibimbapPhoto byHeather Raulerson

Spoonbill Watering Hole is a restaurant I will return to the next time I’m in downtown Lafayette. There are many more dishes and drinks to experience at this restaurant, making it a perfect place for hanging out with friends and enjoying a delicious meal in downtown Lafayette.