Season of fine dining awaits in Louisiana

December brings out the best in Louisiana's many great chefs, and in New Orleans, restaurants from simple to five-star look forward to serving their annual holiday specialties. For many, that means rolling out their Reveillon menus.

The term “reveillon” derives from a French word meaning “awakening.” In 19th-century Europe it was associated with a meal enjoyed by Catholics after midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

In recent years, local restaurateurs have revived the tradition with their own twists. Many offer elegant early-evening Reveillon dinners daily throughout December and early January, featuring four- and five-course, fixed-price menus. Menu selections run the gamut from specialties like oyster chowder and turtle soup to braised lamb shank, broiled brisket, shrimp remoulade, crab ravioli, bread pudding and cheesecake. See New Orleans holiday dining for information about participating restaurants and menus.

Outside the city, consider an unusual and special dining experience at a plantation restaurant. Some of Louisiana's most beautiful plantation homes not only dress up in gorgeous attire for the season, but also present magical meals in dining rooms on the plantation grounds. Among your choices are Randolph's Ballroom at Nottoway Plantation & Resort, which plans a spectacular Christmas Eve meal. 

Oak Alley Plantation plans an evening of dining and other festivities that coincides with the traditional Christmas bonfires and celebration on nearby Mississippi River levee. Champagne brunches are also slated on several Sundays in December.

If you visit Baton Rouge during the holidays, don't miss a chance to sample the holiday menus at Juban's or Mansurs on the Boulevard, among many other choices.

For a special dining experience in Lake Charles, make a reservation at the inventive La Truffe Sauvage, which offers an elegant and elaborate Christmas Eve menu.

If your travels take you to Shreveport-Bossier, consider a visit to Ernest's Orleans Restaurant. You'll find it's an excellent dining experience anytime, and if you're looking for a special spot on Christmas Eve, Ernest's is a great choice.