RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
I am all about a road trip with its twists and turns into unexplored territory to navigate through. But there is something to be said for a straight shot journey with one exit three hours away. That would be Bossier City, Louisiana right past the Texas state line. Why Bossier City now? Jump on Interstate 20 and just shy of 200 miles is the new Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana by The Cordish Companies that opened in February.
From the same company who operates Texas Live! in Arlington, this $270 million resort destination is the first land-side casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market.
“Just over a year ago, we broke ground on what is now a world-class entertainment destination — a true game-changer for Bossier City. We are excited to bring the Live! brand to this region with this stunning property,” Jon Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies said in the resort’s press release about its opening earlier this year. “With every detail thoughtfully designed to deliver a premier guest experience, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is set to become the cornerstone of excitement, hospitality, and economic growth for this region.”
This was not an understatement.
The resort makes an impression from its drive-up to a magnificent digital entryway and some of the friendliest valets. Mine was way patient with me figuring out my rental’s car locks and was delightfully helpful with my one bag in tow for an overnight stay (which turned into two).
Walking in on a late Friday afternoon, I saw the casino to my left which had a stream of people flowing in and out. I veered right to walk down past the gorgeous Ridotto Grand Cafe that featured a walk-up coffee bar, a stunning bar space and ample sitting areas. I was then greeted by the large red heart sculpture by Jorg Dubin. I later discovered the Live! Louisiana team commissioned a dozen local artists to be featured throughout the hotel although this heart piece was commissioned from California.
My room was fairly standard but modern touches and whimsical art gave it a nice pop. The bed’s comfort felt luxurious and easy to dive into.
But the excitement was waiting outside the room and so a first venture to the casino was necessary.
I’m not much of a gambler. Slot machines confuse me. But the energy inside was thrilling nonetheless. The casino features 47,000 square feet of gaming space, including more than 1,000 slots and electronic table games, 40-plus live-action table games and a DraftKings Sportsbook.
Amid all the games was The Center Bar that offered 360-degree views of the casino floor. The 40,000-pound chandelier was a stunning construct of changing lights that was its own visual experience that was futuristic and ethereal.
Outside of the Ridotto Cafe, the resort’s other features are all housed in the casino. My first dining experience was at the fine-dining steakhouse The Prime Rib. Adorned in deep wood decor and warm lighting, the restaurant was a classic steakhouse in every sense. Elegant but not stuffy, the place oozed a confidence about itself with the food to back it up.
Chargrilled oysters topped with butter and cheese seemed wrong somehow, but I was proven wrong by its rich, smooth punch of flavor with a touch of char to give it balance.
For dinner, we went family style with a number of sides including the five-cheese truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, classic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and sauteed brussel sprouts, but dear god I would drive so fast back to have the crawfish risotto. Made with sweet corn, sherry with Sauce Américaine, the side dish was its own star and hard to share with three others.
The name of the restaurant may also be its signature dish, but I opted for a medium cooked parmesan crusted New York Strip. We were then given the option to select the knife we wanted to cut the steak with. The steak was cooked well with a healthy pink inside and an ideal sear on the outside. The crust added flavor, but in hindsight, lacked a sophistication for the beautifully prepared steak.
For dessert, I ordered bread pudding. Ironically, the block cut of dessert in a beige puddle of caramel was unattractive but saved by a scoop of cream on top with candied nuts and a sprinkling of cinnamon on the plate. The serving looked like tofu, but I would easily order this sweet treat again. The milky, caramel flavors were rich but the sweetness wasn’t overpowering. A toothsome bite, the dessert was not on the menu in front of me, but would be a worthy permanent addition.
The in-house restaurant Luk Fu offered a diverse menu of dim sum, pho, sushi, and wok-fried specialties inspired by Vietnam, Japan, Korea and China.
Personally, I was obsessed with Ridotto. The cafe/restaurant/bar was sophisticated and comfortable. Brunch there was a must, but also, its bar area had delightful nooks for reading or more intimate visits. In the short time I was there, I hung out in this space the most. For a quick coffee or snack, the coffee bar was a definite convenience.
For night life beyond casino play, the PBR Bar was the primary option. The country western vibe fused with a mix of high energy pop and country tunes. The bros and gals were in full force along with its squad of dancers who served up sexy moves on the mechanical bull and platforms. OK, queer folks. There was nothing about the club that I would say spoke to any of the LGBTQs who might’ve been in there — OK, me. I mean, honestly, I wasn’t expecting a night at Station 4 or the Round-Up here and the club had more pros than cons. As an observer, I quite enjoyed watching the young men and women flirt with each other while a crowd filled the dance floor with a line dance. The DJ had some exciting remixes of classic songs but the actual mixing skills were lacking. I almost got whiplash from the dance mix of “Sweet Caroline” that abruptly jumped to some country pop. The overall feeling leaned more into a raucous college party where folks let off some steam. Just check the ego and any judgment at the door and go in for a rowdy ride.
The casino does have a fitness center onsite as well as an outdoor pool. The pool itself was fully exposed to the sun so it can get hot out there. Shade can be found under covered seating and the area was quite picturesque.
Whether by accident or design, the resort was never short on Instagrammable moments.
There were countless spots with vivid backgrounds. If a place ever spoke to modern travelers, Live! Louisiana succeeds in that. But beyond the awesome pics you’ll end up with, the new resort combines luxury with contemporary vibes. Dining options catered to all palates and its range of entertainment ran the gamut beyond casino games into live music, next level sports viewing with its 80-foot high-def media wall and Ridotto’s beautiful R Bar.
There’s really no reason to leave the place, but if you need a touch of nature, the Red River runs right next to the resort for an added touch. Just watch out for any ‘gators.
For more information on Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, visit Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com.
