Editor Pick
Cajun Seafood at Its Best
A dinner at Pappadeaux on Windy Hill Road is an experience in itself. The entrance looks like a "N'Orlin's" courtyard. The brick facade and blooming plants set a mood that carries into the restaurant. The cigarette package left outside on a planter did not look very nice. It was empty and someone was just too lazy to throw it in the trash, but it put a damper on the overall effect.
We were seated promptly by a friendly hostess. She made light conversation as wee followed her to the table. Even though we were there early (4PM) and there were tables available, we were seated one section away from the windows - which resembled an open deck. We still had plenty of ambient light and a view of the greenry, but it would have been nice to have been asked if we wanted a window seat.
The menu is definitely not cheap! Most of the enrees started in the mid-teens and went up from there. We ordered the Crab/Spinach dip as an opener. It was very creamy and rich. The crab chunks and spinach flakes were abundant and flavorful. It was served with large thick slices of chewy bread. YUM!
I ordered the fried soft crabs. They were seasoned lightly with peppered flour and fried until crisp. Whoever was the first person to eat this heavenly crustatean has my undying gratitude. The chefs at Pappadeaux have improved on the fried soft crabs that I grew up eating. They (2 crabs) were served with fries that were not greasy and were salted, but not highly seasoned.
Hubby ordered the stuffed shrimp. He liked the texture, but the seasonings in the stuffing were just a little too spicy hot for him. There were four shrimp along with the fries on his plate and he brought home two of them. They will be part of our dinner tomorrow night.
Dessert was the bread pudding with sauce. It was very "cinnamony" and the raisins were plump and jucy - with a faint brandy taste. I guess they were poached before incoporating them into the bread mixture. We also ordered the cheesecake to take home. I hope that it tastes as good as it looks - 'cuz it looks delicious.
The total bill was over $60, without salads since they were not included in the meal. A bit much for just two people on a fixed income, but we came to the conclusion that this could be one of those "special occasion" restaurants. You know, the ones that you go to for anniversaries and birthdays.
Overall, I would recommend this restaurant or those who like seafood fried and breaded and spiced. If you are not in favor of seafood, your only other option is salad or chicken.