La Divina Italian Cafe is mixing up delightful gelatos and sorbet mimosas, paninis and lasagna and serving them up with artwork and live music. And the combination of food and fun seems to be paying off. Like other eateries, the cafe at 3535 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge has had to overcome its share of challenges during the state's pandemic lockdown and reopening phases.

But sales were so good at La Divina during Phase 2 that August marked the restaurant's best month of business since it opened in 2013. That's not to say it's been easy. "Of all the things that affected us in the years we've had our business, this is, by far, the most challenging as it doesn't seem to ever end," said owner Lance LeBlanc.