Photo Andy Scheck

Starting off with three brownies that were "to die for" at The French Bakery, Danvillian Bill Darden strolled with pals across the street to queue up at La Finestra for pasta and caprese salad.

The festive food-focused crowd at the "Taste of Lafayette" amiably wandered throughout the downtown from Chevalier to Fuz sampling a variety of dishes. "Perfectly seasoned, very creamy," declared self-described wanna-be chef Kayla Lortz of the tortellini alla panna e pancetta at Mangia!

With proceeds benefitting the Lafayette Community Foundation and the programs of the Chamber of Commerce, hungry patrons could eat their way across town almost guilt-free. Just over $10,000 was raised for the Community Foundation - mostly through raffle tickets and a portion of the ticket proceeds. The Community Foundation has given away over $200,000 in grants to local non-profits and raised a staggering $12,700,000 toward the building of the Library and Learning Center.

As the late afternoon sun faded into evening, the roaming street party moved from one venue to the next - one had to hustle to visit all fifteen restaurants. Revelers started the moveable feast with beer or sangria at the Plaza, made nibble stops throughout town, and wrapped up the evening back at the Plaza with delicious chocolate cones with raspberry mousse, care of Lafayette's own SpringLoaf Catering, or a cupcake from Doki Doki Catering.

In between, mingling diners enjoyed chicken and salmon skewers at Roya's Garlic Garden, described as "just delicious" by Kimberly Lalli, or vegetables with barbequed chicken and pork over rice in a fantastic coconut curry sauce at Amarin Thai, "a worthy stop," said an exiting gentleman.

Jen Williams describes Susan Foord Catering as the, "best lunch in town, hands down." For the "Taste" they were serving sliced sourdough crusted chicken with Persian rice and bÇarnaise sauce along with a Caesar salad.

"Taste-er's" enjoyed Lafayette's friendly small town ambiance coupled with big city cuisine on a very pleasant Tuesday evening, and still got home in time to catch the almost season finale of "Lost" and "American Idol." The perfect evening.