Tag: Water Street

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Crawfish Étouffée

Before heading over to Gumbo I had been looking forward to their crawfish étouffée. “Looking forward to” is an understatement. My crawfish craving was so intense the boyfriend was starting to worry that it was a symptom of something else. It’s not.

Gumbo‘s a good place. A menu focused on New Orleans cooking is always welcome. The mood is set with stained glass windows, a fireplace, exposed brick and stone. Upon walking in, you’re ready for a good night.  This is a solid place for a date, going out with friends or family.

The etouffee came with plenty of crawfish. Whoo hoo! Those sweet fresh water pygmy lobsters were making my dreams come true. Gumbo cheerfully served their just-right New Orleans style rice on the side. That first fork-full should have been a dream sequence of anticipation being met. Harps playing, clouds parting, a bite of bliss. Well, it should have been bliss, but there was no spice, no bite, no New Orleans fire to warm my mouth. It was such a mild dish that I added salt, hoping it would bring out a subtlety that I’d missed.

Even though the dish lacked the usual heat, there were plenty of crawfish and the consistency of the dish was just right. I’ll try something else the next time I’m at Gumbo. There were so many other delicious sounding dishes, and it was so comfortable at Gumbo, that I’ll be back. -MF

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Blackened Catfish with Braised Greens

 

Upon arrival at Gumbo I found the always welcoming foodie crew waiting in a room that was reminiscent of a cave with natural rock, brick and an almost subtle cool/rustic ambiance. I loved the stained glass window with a beautiful fleur de lis and a small little fireplace mounted on the wall.

I was very bewildered as to what I should order as the menu proved to offer some wonderful southern style selections. I felt as though it would behoove me to experience something truly “authentic” after all we are in Worcester not NOLA. Étouffée was something I have never tried and certainly caught my eye or should I say appetite; however I was not in the mood for anything that would have been a bit too heavy.

I started with some delicious sangria; this tasty libation was served in a cute mason jar (idea for home) and the Chicken, Okra and Andouille Gumbo appetizer special. The gumbo serving size was very large. It had a serving of the gumbo on one half and rice on the other. It was delicious! I loved the rich flavors and the delicious chicken; I had to leave room for my main entrée but wanted to devour all of it.

For my main entrée I ordered the blackened catfish with braised greens; our extremely helpful and nice waitress asked how spicy I would like it prepared on a spice level, I decided to keep it less spicy than extreme.

My meal arrived and looked as though it was cooked perfectly. The catfish was delicious; the spice was just enough and as observed was in fact cooked perfectly. I was not that fond of the dressed greens as they were a bit too spicy, on the colder side and there was very little bacon.

Overall my meal was fantastic and I cannot wait to go back and try the Étouffée, and of course more sangria.-LB