Tag: fish

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Blackened Salmon with Mac-n-Cheese

The art of blackening can be traced to Louisiana, so it’s fitting that a restaurant like Gumbo—boasting Louisiana cajun/creole style—focus a portion of their menu to the process. Salmon, which is an oily fish rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D, has a soft and buttery texture that pairs well with the spice of a blend of herbs and spices. Prepared on a white cast iron skillet the filet had a well crusted outer layer which preserved the juicy body. Cooked perfectly (but not as spicy as warned by the waitress) the flavors were absorbed through the inner most flesh. To aid in the flavor, although not necessary, the garlic butter added a smooth spice. As a side the Mac-n-cheese were larger than expected noodles, with a light cream sauce, topped with crushed Cheese-its. Passable side but easily forgettable. 

The blackened Salmon was worth the visit alone. Although it could have turned up the heat meter in the spice, the flavors of both the herbs and spices complimented the buttery texture of the perfectly prepared fish. -LV

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Fried Catfish on Water Street

Gumbo can be summarized in a bite sized way: good food and cool atmosphere. If you have a craving for some different flavors then this is the place to come. I love the old building that it is in with its old worn wood floors and exposed stonewalls.

I started the evening by splitting a couple of the appetizers with a friend. The stuffed quahogs were a special of the night and when they first arrived I was a bit disappointed by the amount of stuffing because I was worried that there was nothing but breading in there, but each bite was filled with sweet clams and I was happy the quahog was so stuffed. The second appetizer that I tried was the French quarter tart. The caramelized onions were super sweet on the pastry dough and drizzled with an addictive balsamic glaze, I was sad when I was finished with it.

Deciding to try something a bit different from what I would normally order I decided on the fried catfish dinner plate. The fish is perfectly cooked…so light and flakey that the hot crispy layer of crust was satisfying. I was shocked at how good this fried fish was with no greasy taste. At first I thought the crust might be a bit under-seasoned though…while perfectly crispy there is little salt or spice, but then I dipped the fish in a tomato tartar that it came with and the heavens opened and the birds sang. I understood…the fish is the ultimate vehicle for this tartar which was perfectly seasoned. My two sides were some creamy mash potatoes, and the season appropriate and very flavorful roasted corn. Overall this place is a good addition to Worcester and definitely good enough for me to make a semi-regular stop when craving those unique flavors. –SB