TRAVELMAG

This Louisiana Witches Lunch Turns A Metairie Restaurant Into A Halloween Food Party

Laura Benton 10 min read
BOOlevard Witches Lunch
This Louisiana Witches Lunch Turns A Metairie Restaurant Into A Halloween Food Party

A dessert called the Vampire Brownie A La Mode closes out this Halloween lunch, and it comes with spooky sprinkles. Honestly, I was hooked right there.

The brownie is only the last stop on a four-course menu. Before it, there’s a harvest salad, mushroom ravioli, and a petite filet with a sauce that sounds very fancy. Costumes are highly encouraged, so the pointy hats come out too.

Witches, festive costumes, and a four-course Halloween lunch make this Louisiana celebration a deliciously playful way to welcome the spooky season. It happens once a year, on October 30th, right before the big night. That timing feels clever, since Halloween itself is usually packed with candy and porch duty.

There’s something wonderfully ridiculous about dressing up as a witch for an elegant lunch, especially when dessert comes with spooky sprinkles. The only thing left to figure out is who’s joining your coven this year.

The Patio Gets A Spooky Makeover For One Wicked Afternoon

The Patio Gets A Spooky Makeover For One Wicked Afternoon
Image Credit: © Dmitry Zvolskiy / Pexels

October 30th is the date to circle. On that day, Boulevard American Bistro turns its patio into a festive space packed with witchy vibes and Halloween spirit.

The restaurant calls it a wickedly fun afternoon. That phrase alone tells you this isn’t a quiet salad-and-go kind of lunch.

Timing matters here. Halloween night often belongs to trick-or-treaters, parties, and handing out candy at the door. Holding the lunch the day before gives grown-up witches their own moment to celebrate.

Eating outside also makes sense in Louisiana this time of year. Late October can finally bring a break from the summer heat. A patio feast feels like a fair reward after months of sticky weather.

Since this is an annual event, it has become a seasonal tradition worth planning around. Check with the restaurant ahead of time about reservations and timing. Spots for special events can go quickly, especially with a theme this fun.

Bring a light jacket just in case the weather turns breezy. Your costume might even double as a cozy layer. Nobody will question a velvet cloak at this party.

Grab Your Pointy Hat Because Costumes Are Basically The Dress Code

Grab Your Pointy Hat Because Costumes Are Basically The Dress Code
Image Credit: © https://kaboompics.com/ / Pexels

BOOlevard Witches Lunch takes place at Boulevard American Bistro at 4241 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie, Louisiana. Veterans Memorial Boulevard handles the final approach, with the restaurant sitting directly along the busy commercial corridor rather than tucked into a neighborhood.

The last clue is the restaurant’s large BOULEVARD sign rising above the low roofline. Once that bold sign comes into view along Veterans, you are at the right place for the October 30 witches lunch.

Pull into the restaurant property and use the customer parking in front of the building, then head straight to the main entrance. Since this is a special-event lunch rather than regular walk-in dining, having your reservation details handy should make the final arrival smoother.

A Harvest Salad Kicks Things Off With Serious Fall Flavor

A Harvest Salad Kicks Things Off With Serious Fall Flavor
© A Harvest Salad Kicks Things Off With Serious Fall Flavor

Roasted butternut squash leads the first course, and fall shows up right away. The Harvest Salad sets the tone for the BOOlevard Witches Lunch.

Mixed greens form the base. Then come spiced walnuts, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles, and red onion, all tied together with an herb vinaigrette.

Look at that lineup for a second. You get sweet from the squash and cranberries, plus crunch from the nuts. The blue cheese brings a bold, tangy kick to balance everything out.

Spiced walnuts are a smart touch for an October menu. They add a cozy, seasonal feeling without stealing the show. Each bite seems built to wake up your appetite for what comes next.

A salad might sound like the quiet opener. Here, it does real work by setting a fall mood before the heavier courses arrive. Think of it as the opening scene of a good spooky movie.

Pace yourself on this one. Three more courses are waiting, including a filet and a brownie. Saving room is the true magic trick at a four-course witches lunch.

Mushroom Ravioli Brings A Golden Twist To Course Number Two

Mushroom Ravioli Brings A Golden Twist To Course Number Two
© Mushroom Ravioli Brings A Golden Twist To Course Number Two

Saffron is the surprise ingredient in course two. The Mushroom Ravioli arrives with a saffron yellow squash sauce, roasted hazelnut, and Grana Padano cheese.

That sauce color alone fits the season. Golden yellow on the plate feels like candlelight, which suits a gathering of witches just fine.

Fun fact time. Saffron comes from the tiny threads of a crocus flower, and it takes a lot of them to make a small amount. That’s why cooks use it carefully and for special dishes.

Mushrooms bring an earthy, forest-floor feel to the menu. Honestly, what could be more witchy than that? Every good storybook witch seems to have a basket of mushrooms somewhere.

Roasted hazelnut adds another layer of crunch. Grana Padano, a firm Italian cheese, finishes things with a salty, nutty touch. Together they make the ravioli feel thoughtful and complete.

Squash shows up again here after appearing in the salad. That repeat gives the meal a nice harvest thread from start to finish. It feels planned, like a menu with a story to tell.

Bulls Blood Garnish Gives The Filet A Perfectly Spooky Name Drop

Bulls Blood Garnish Gives The Filet A Perfectly Spooky Name Drop
© Bulls Blood Garnish Gives The Filet A Perfectly Spooky Name Drop

Bulls blood sounds like something straight out of a witch’s spell book. On this menu, it’s part of the Petite Filet Au Poivre entree.

Bulls blood is a variety of beet, often used as deep red greens on fancy plates. So relax, the name is spookier than the garnish.

The star is a grilled black garlic petite filet. Black garlic has a dark color and a mellow, slightly sweet flavor. It fits a Halloween table like a black cat fits a porch.

Sweet potato puree sits underneath, adding a smooth orange layer. Orange and black on one plate? Somebody in that kitchen clearly understood the assignment.

Au poivre means the steak comes with a peppercorn sauce. It’s a classic French style that gives beef a warm, peppery bite. That makes this course the hearty center of the whole lunch.

Steak fits right in at Boulevard American Bistro, too. The regular menu already features steaks and chops like Hawaiian Ribeye, Prime Rib, and Filet Mignon. The witches lunch simply dresses one up for the season.

Save Room For A Brownie With Fangs In Its Name

Save Room For A Brownie With Fangs In Its Name
© Save Room For A Brownie With Fangs In Its Name

Dessert gets the best name of the day. The Vampire Brownie A La Mode wraps up the BOOlevard Witches Lunch in proper Halloween style.

It starts with a dark chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream. A strawberry and raspberry puree goes on next, followed by spooky sprinkles.

Now, that red puree is doing a lot of theatrical work. Drizzled over vanilla ice cream, it brings the vampire part of the name to life. Count Dracula would probably ask for seconds.

Chocolate and berries are a classic pairing for good reason. The fruit cuts through the rich brownie with a bright, tart taste. The cold ice cream softens everything into a sweet finish.

Spooky sprinkles might be the most playful detail on the menu. They remind everyone that this lunch is meant to be fun, not fussy. A little whimsy on a dessert plate goes a long way.

Here’s a tip for photo lovers. Snap your dessert picture quickly before the ice cream starts melting. Then put the phone down and enjoy the last course of a very festive meal.

Wood-Fired Cooking Is The Everyday Magic Behind This Kitchen

Wood-Fired Cooking Is The Everyday Magic Behind This Kitchen
© Wood-Fired Cooking Is The Everyday Magic Behind This Kitchen

Long before the witches arrive, the real everyday spell here is fire. Boulevard American Bistro focuses on wood-fired American bistro cooking made from scratch.

That explains why a grilled filet fits so naturally on the Halloween menu. The kitchen already knows its way around a hot grill.

The regular menu reads like a list of crowd favorites. Fire Roasted Chicken, St. Louis Barbecue Ribs, Pan Seared Crab Cakes, and Wood-Grilled Salmon all make appearances. Each one leans into that smoky, grilled style.

Starters cover a lot of ground, too. Options include Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Deviled Eggs, Wood-Grilled Artichokes, and Boulevard Oysters. Good luck picking just one.

Oysters carry extra meaning here. The restaurant is a member of the Louisiana Oyster Trail, which celebrates the state’s famous shellfish. That’s a nice badge for any spot near the Gulf.

So if the witches lunch wins you over, a return trip makes sense. You can come back any regular day and explore the full menu. No costume required, though nobody’s stopping you.

Finding The Coven Headquarters On Veterans Boulevard Is Easy

Finding The Coven Headquarters On Veterans Boulevard Is Easy
© Finding The Coven Headquarters On Veterans Boulevard Is Easy

Veterans Memorial Boulevard is one of the busiest roads in Metairie. That’s exactly where you’ll find Boulevard American Bistro, which also explains the clever BOO-levard pun.

The full address is 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006. Plug it into your phone, and your broom can take the night off.

Metairie sits just west of New Orleans in Jefferson Parish. That makes the restaurant handy for groups coming from different parts of the area. Nobody in your coven has to fly too far.

Regular hours run from 11 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. The Halloween lunch, of course, happens only on October 30th. Double-check event details with the restaurant before you go.

The building is handicap accessible, which helps when planning for a mixed group. Grandma witches and toddler goblins alike deserve an easy entrance.

A practical tip goes a long way here. Leave a little extra time for traffic on Veterans, especially around lunch hour. Showing up flustered in a costume is never the vibe you want.

Your Coven Could Book The Private Room Any Time Of Year

Your Coven Could Book The Private Room Any Time Of Year
© Your Coven Could Book The Private Room Any Time Of Year

Forty-eight guests can fit in the private dining room at Boulevard American Bistro. That’s a lot of witches, or a very large family reunion.

Big gatherings clearly suit this place. After one festive lunch, your group might start dreaming up its next excuse to meet.

Birthdays, showers, team meetings, and holiday parties all work in a space that size. The restaurant also offers catering and online ordering. So the food can travel when your party can’t.

The setting gets described as upscale yet comfortable, and family-friendly as well. Kid-friendly menu options are available too. Little ghouls won’t be stuck staring at a grown-up menu.

Some recognition adds to the appeal. The restaurant earned an OpenTable Diners’ Choice award in 2024. It’s also been named a Top Workplace for 10 straight years, which says something about the team.

For Louisiana food lovers, that’s a reliable place to keep in your back pocket. Start with the witches lunch, then think bigger. Your coven might just need a year-round meeting spot with really good brownies.