La Provence – www.laprovencerestaurant.com -- Lacombe –  In 1971, Chef Chris Kerageorgiou arrived in southern Louisiana from the south of France, purchased a small restaurant on quiet stretch of highway about an hour outside New Orleans, and transformed it into a legendary fine dining destination that attracted celebrities, dignitaries, and gourmets alike.  Some 20 years later, he hired the young John Besh to be his chef de cuisine at La Provence, and it was here that Besh learned, as he says, “to cook with heart.”  Early in 2007, Besh purchased the restaurant from his mentor, who passed away not long after.  Besh has renovated the charming auberge-like building, its grounds, and its menu, and has reopened the restaurant as a lasting tribute to its founder, who brought the flavors of Provence to this part of the world.  Besh’s partnering chef at La Provence is none other than another famed Frenchman, Chef René Bajeux.  Their menu reflects the time-honored, time-consuming rustic techniques -- long-roasted meats and braising that takes days at a time -- that in turn reflect the rugged earthiness of the ingredients, many of them picked fresh from the kitchen garden.  A bounty of seafood choices will compete for your appetite, prepared à la Provençal, but sourced right from the rich waters of southern Louisiana.