You really don’t need an excuse to visit Covington, La., but just in case you require some incentive, put “Eat at Oxlot 9” on the top of your list. It’s open Tuesday-Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The bistro is on the ground floor of the beautiful Southern Hotel in the historic downtown (428 E.  Boston St.). Chef Jeffrey Hansell, of Waveland, has been getting rave reviews since he and wife Amy opened their restaurant. Easy to see why.  Sunday brunch was packed but after a short wait at the bar, a table opened. Here’s what it looked like.