Dining Out: Tap into Bourbon Streets Cajun, Creole blend

By J. Davis

A visit to Bourbon Street Café in Bayside is like a visit to the famed street of the same name in the old French Quarter in New Orleans.

You enter via the Tap Room with its long, active bar and wait to be seated in one of the three adjoining dining rooms (opt for the one furthest away from the bar if you wish to have a conversation with your dining companion). On the way to your table, admire the masks and trinkets decorating the walls to give a New Orleans and Mardi Gras ambiance. There are also facsimile wrought iron street lamps, ceiling fans and long French doors opening onto Bell Boulevard.

The menu also accents the New Orleans connection by featuring both Creole and Cajun dishes. Creole is a combination of French, Spanish and Island dishes such as Jambalaya and Gumbo. Cajun, on the other hand, is represented by blackened fish, etc. as popularized by Paul Prudhomme, the famed Louisiana chef. The dishes can be either lightly or heavily spiced (your choice), but bring your appetite because the servings are more than generous.

Apparently the emphasis is on only Creole and Cajun cuisine to the exclusion of the elegant French, Continental and other cuisines which give New Orleans its reputation as a culinary extravaganza city.

For one appetizer, we opted for a chef’s special, Café Crab Cakes for two large, thick, well-prepared cakes presented with homemade remoulade (mayonnaise with mustard, gherkins, capers, herbs and a touch of anchovy essence). Note: These could be an entree for the diet-conscious or a not-too-hungry eater.

Another appetizer was the House Specialty, Bourbon’s BBQ Shrimp: eight jumbo shrimp treated with light Cajun spices in a secret house cream sauce: delicious and plentiful. These were followed by large green salads (included with the entrees, but too large and boring) with a choice of dressings.

For one main course, we went to the special menu for the evening. (It is a nice touch to have the specials printed rather than have the server describe them verbally.) From here we ordered red fish in a pecan (menagerie) creamy sauce. With this we requested rice and sautéed zucchini. We noted on the menu that almost all entrees can be prepared “blackened” or Cajun style upon request.

The second entrée was the highly special Cajun Sampler, which included blackened chicken white meat, blackened shrimp and a long Andouille sausage. It was served over rice and red beans and topped with a Creole sauce. The well-known New Orleans Hurricane helped quench the fire along with butter on the corn meal muffin. Unfortunately, they did not know how to make our favorite New Orleans drink, a Zazerac.

Desserts also come in large portions. The mud pie is an interesting halved chocolate shell filled with chocolate ice cream served on a plate decorated with puffs of whipped cream. The traditional pecan pie was served at room temperature without ice cream. We finished the meal with strong coffee (not New Orleans style with chicory) served in heavy diner-style mugs.

The Bottom Line

New Orleans café setting with Cajun, Creole dishes ranging from simple to spicy. Attentive service, friendly environment.

Coming Attractions

Bourbon Street has many ongoing programs. The Easter Bunny will be there from noon-4 p.m. April 11, Easter Sunday. Make your reservations early.

On Wednesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. there will be an interactive dinner theater production of “Ralph’s 40th Surprise Party,” complete with cast of Ralph, Ed, Alice and Trixie. Tickets, at $50 per, include pasta, appetizer, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea. Reservations are necessary.

Bourbon Street Café
40-12 Bell Blvd., Bayside
718-224-2200
Fax 718-224-7081
www.bourbonstreetny.com

Cuisine: Cajun Creole, American

Setting: New Orleans Café

Service: Efficient

Hours: L&D 7 days, Sun. Brunch

Reservations: Recommended for weekends

Parking: Municipal lot 1 1/2 blocks away. LIRR station nearby.

Bar: Large, friendly bar with TVs serving mixed drinks, beer and wines. Wine at tables by the glass, carafe or 1/2 carafe.

Noise level: High.

Catering: On or off premises.

Handicap Access: Yes, no stairs. French doors to Bell Blvd. open weather permitting.

Dress: Casual