Shreveport Celebrates Five Years of Coastal Culinary Delight at Zuzul
Shreveport, you’re in for a treat! It’s been a remarkable five years since Zuzul Coastal Cuisine opened its doors, and what a journey it has been! Nestled in the heart of Shreveport, this delightful restaurant has become a beacon of delicious, sustainable seafood in our community. Loyal customer Matt Ross affectionately described it as “the shining light on the hill,” and who could disagree?
From Vision to Reality
Back in November 2019, Chef Gabriel Balderas and his wife Brooke Balderas decided it was time to share their passion for coastal cuisine with northwest Louisiana. The idea? To highlight the diverse and delectable seafood from various cultures around the world. Brooke explains, “With the coastal cuisine, I feel like there’s so many options to keep bringing something new and fresh.” It’s pretty clear that the flavors of the European coast, South America, and our very own regional coastline have infused the menu with vibrancy and creativity.
Five Years of Flavor!
To celebrate their five-year journey, Zuzul hosted an incredible event, the Loire Valley Anniversary Dinner, on Monday, November 25th. This French-inspired feast was a culinary adventure that transported diners straight to the picturesque Loire Valley. As Nathaniel Loggins, a boutique wine distributor, stated, “Most people, when they think of France, think of Paris, Provence, or Bordeaux… But the Loire is classic pastoral France.”
The menu for the night was simply mouth-watering, featuring dishes like Mini Quiche Lorraine and Pork Belly Rillauds paired with a delightful Arnaud Lambert Crément de la Loire Rosé. The hits just kept coming! Diners savored exquisite plates like Sandre au Beurre Blanc paired with Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Blanc and topped off the experience with a sweet finish of Poached Pears with Red Wine Sauce paired with J.M. Gautier Vouvray Demi-Sec.
A Celebration of Community
This grand dinner was just part of a two-week celebration that kicked off on November 17 with a Sake Soirée & Tasting, followed by a Chop Shop SHV Menu Takeover and The Favorites Menu & LIVE Music. These events truly encapsulated the Balderas’ commitment to bringing fresh and exciting flavors to their community. Some die-hard fans even attended *every single event*! How’s that for loyalty?
Mary Lois White, a frequent visitor, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are here to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Zuzul, and we are frequent supporters. We love their seated dinners, but we also come here quite often for their regular menu, because Gabe is a Slow Food chefs Alliance.”
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Bringing tasty memories to the table is a hallmark of Chef Gabriel’s approach. He cherishes his Latin American heritage, embracing fresh coastal cuisine reminiscent of his childhood. “When I was younger, I spent my summers swimming and fishing near the natural spring, Zuzul. My mother and grandmother prepared the catch of the day,” he reminisced. It’s evident that Zuzul isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a loving extension of family recipes and cherished memories.
Gratitude and Support
As they celebrate this significant milestone, Brooke shares her heartfelt appreciation for Shreveport, saying, “Shreveport has several restaurants that have been fully supported by the community and we are just really thankful to be one of them.”
To anyone looking for a culinary escapade filled with fresh ingredients and global flavors, Zuzul Coastal Cuisine is waiting to welcome you through its doors. Here’s to more years of delicious memories at Zuzul!
