Friday night the Lakeview area celebrates with the sixth annual “Taste at the Lake” event. This event raises money for improvements in the area. This year’s proceeds fund the “Lighting the Way” campaign which installs decorative lighting to the Canal Basin Park. “Taste at the Lake” was chock-full of stuff to entertain the masses. Over thirty restaurants and four musical acts are participating to the night’s events.
Speaking of restaurants, one Lakeview restaurant has been a staple at the event in recent years. And this year is no different. The Velvet Cactus
is representing this year with their take on Shrimp and Grits and a couple of Margaritas to satisfy the crowd. General Manager, Amiee Sandrock tells me that the Margaritas are the Cactus” house Margarita and their Watermelon-Mint Margarita. I tasted the Watermelon Margarita and it was delightful. It was light with a great watermelon flavor. The Souza Tequila is there but it isn’t overpowering.
The Shrimp and Grits definitely has a Latin flair. The grits aren’t just cheese-grits, but they are Chipotle Cheese Grits. the Shrimp are served with the Cactus’ version of a BBQ Shrimp sauce. It is smoky and tangy and full of flavor. I suggested that it might be a good idea to just place it throughout the restaurant with chips. It is tasty! So get off your couch and head out to the Lakefront for music, food and fun.