Westfork Drive just picked up a new reason to dress up for dinner.

The restaurant at 3015 Westfork Drive opened this fall with a clear goal: give Baton Rouge a dressed-up soul food experience, with handcrafted cocktails, live entertainment and room to celebrate.

The person behind the name

Joelle's was founded by Joelle Martin. According to the restaurant, the idea grew out of years of traveling and cooking, and a belief that a shared table can bring people together. The team says it sources local and seasonal ingredients where it can, working with nearby farms and producers.

What's on the table

The dinner menu leans Southern with a strong Caribbean streak. Velvet Braised Oxtail comes Jamaican-style over white rice with cabbage on the side. Jerk Grilled Lamb Chops get a pineapple-mango honey glaze, and the Island Fish tops grilled Gulf fish with fried crawfish, a Jamaican cheese cremeux and dirty rice. Louisiana regulars like Southern Seafood Gumbo, Crawfish Boudin Dip and red beans and rice are here too, and dessert includes a rum-infused bread pudding with caramel rum sauce.

Brunch runs Saturdays and Sundays. Look for chicken and waffles with sweet potato, strawberry shortcake or Fruity Pebbles waffle options, plus fried catfish over grits with a crawfish cream sauce.

At the bar, signature cocktails include the Joelle's 75, made with cognac and strawberry aperitif topped with Champagne, and the Smoke Reserved, a Buffalo Trace bourbon drink finished with smoked cherry wood chips.

Beyond dinner

The restaurant has a courtyard for live music and cocktails, and it books private dining for birthdays, anniversaries and business dinners.

Hours

Joelle's is closed Mondays. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dinner from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday brunch runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday brunch starts at 11:30 a.m., with service until 7:30 p.m. Reservations are available online.

Oxtail on a Tuesday night or chicken and waffles after church on Sunday, Joelle's gives this side of town a place to linger.

Photo courtesy of Joelle's Soul and Savour.