Houmas House

Houmas House originally published on Food and Fond Memories on August 14, 2012 by sandyaxelrod Leave a Comment (Edit)

A large plantation style pale yellow home with gardens

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

A Garden Path at Houmas House

Since Steve and I have been to New Orleans so many times we decided that on this trip we would venture away from the city and explore the surrounding area. What prompted this was that I have corresponding with Laurie from the fabulous blog rvcajuncooking and we wanted to meet in person. She and her husband John live outside of Baton Rouge so we chose a location sort of in the middle for the four of us to have lunch.

A bearded grey haired man and a woman in a brimmed hat in front of a brick column.

Our Friends Laurie and John

Bisque of Curried Pumpkin Crawfish and Corn

A cobalt blue rimmed soup bowl filled with chicken and andouille gumbo and rice.

Chicken and Andouille Gumbo with Rice

Crab Cake Salad

A cobalt blue dinner plate topped with fried shrimp and salad greens.

Fried Shrimp Salad

Houmas House (pronounced Hooma), in Burnside Darrow, is one of the South’s oldest and most beautiful plantation estates. It had its beginnings in the 1770’s when Alexander Latil started construction, building a two story brick dwelling that is now the rear wing of the mansion. In the late 1820’s Wade Hampton, who was the largest sugar producer in Louisiana and the largest slave holder in the South, built the present mansion on the Mississippi River. John Burnside purchased Houmas House in 1858 and began accumulating sugar cane plantations and became the largest sugar planter in America. Boasting over 300,000 acres he earned the title “The Sugar Prince Of Louisiana”.

Houmas House Pond Complete with Ibis Sculptures and Lily Pads

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens have been prominently featured both in literature and film, such as the novel “North and South” by Sir William Russell and “Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte” starring Bette Davis. Visitors are invited to tour the mansion and experience the history and lifestyles of the Great Sugar Barons or stroll through the gardens and under the Ancient Oaks while sipping Mint Juleps. We chose a different option which was to enjoy an elegant and unbelievably delicious lunch at Cafe Burnside on the estate first and then weave our way through the lush garden