Definitely the best meal I've had in New Orleans by far! They have extremely limited seating, expect a 30min - 1hr wait time for dinner. Dark ambiance but very vibrant vibe. Fantastic service, we really loved our sever! We loved the cornbread so much he brought us a second serving. Would recommend everything we ordered: - Cajun bouillabaisse: intense mussel flavor in the stock. Nicely cooked seafood and goes well with the cheese crusted bread. - Chicken pontalba: very nicely done chicken. Super tender but not artificially juicy. Huge fan of the wine reduced sauce, I was scraping the last bits off my plate. - Seafood gumbo: best gumbo we've tried in New Orleans and we've tried one at every meal! Very thick and strong presence of the seafood components. - Cornbread: was complimentary but we loved it so much. Best cornbread I've had. Will definitely be back in future trips! read more

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Definitely worth the trip out of the city, about 15 mins away. Everything here is so good can't go wrong, you can get a drink at the bar before they seat you. They also have a bar next door. Service was perfect and the vibes just gave New Orleans with the decor and music. read more

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Come here for guaranteed high quality specialty creole food in New Orleans with quirky art and on point with Nola's style. Everything here is one of a kind! The night started with the best appetizer I've had - corn bread. They did an amazing job with this. The blackened redfish with crab chili mayo was spectacular, I wish I was a local so I could eat this often. Austin Leslie's fried chicken was obviously a home run and the shoestring fried were perfect size and crisp. I had a blast at this quirky establishment and walked around to take pictures of the murals and paintings. My only issue is this is far away from downtown but I say the trip is worth it every time! read more

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This is a fan favorite local recommendation. It is a super quirky really fun decorated place. This is my first time visiting this place and ohhhh boy absolutely delicious! Alligator cheesecake is absolutely fantastic, it is kind of like a crustless quiche so good. We got the tuna special and oof that sauce was divine, I wanted to lick the plate. The blue cheese with the steak was equally good. And finished with the coconut bread pudding....my mouth is salivating. Also the watermelon mojito is everything, get that 100% Staff are so sweet too! read more

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Had their alligator cheesecake at the festival in April 2026 and I'll dream about it! Don't sleep on this bad boy - it's like a queso or a quiche had a baby with a soufflé read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

YUMMY!!!!! The corn muffins were delicious...sweet and crusty with this garlic butter drizzle. The watermelon mojito was very refreshing and was stocked with muddled fresh watermelon. The duck and andouille sausage gumbo was ok...I prefer mine a little more hearty. The "cheesecake" was delicious! It's similar to quiche but more savory. The grouper iberville was perfectly cooked. My favorite sides were the stewed cabbage and the mashed sweet potatoes. My hubby had the Austin Leslie fried chicken and it was great...4 pieces, you can choose dark or white meat or combo. The place is like an older house transformed into an upscale dive...don't freak out about walking through the edge of the kitchen to get to the dining room. The servers were very attentive and everyone was helping each other out. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Grouper Iberville, red beans and rice, stewed cabbage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I have been wanting to eat at Jacques Imo for a while and I was not disappointed! Service was very friendly and our server was so helpful in parsing out which dish I should order (I was stuck between four different fish dishes). Based on their recommendation, I went with the Pan Fried Gulf Fish with Pecan Meuniere and really enjoyed it! As a pescatarian, I was a little limited in the sides I could order, but they were so nice and helpful in telling me which sides were paired without meat. The sides I ended up with were the mashed potatoes and the show string fries, which two potato preparations in one meal is a first for me, but both were excellent so no complaints here. In fact, the shoestring fries in particular were magnificent. Each entree is also served with a small salad and corn bread that is to die for. I also had a hurricane cocktail (for the first time!) and enjoyed it. read more

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Jacques-Imo's is one of those places that locals will gate-keep. They don't take reservations for parties less than 5. Seating is a little tight in spots but workable. The menu is a good mixture of standard creole comfort food. My companions and I walked in on a Friday evening and were told it would be a 45 minute wait for a table if 3. However, no more than 10 minutes later, we were seated. When I say we could have ordered everything on the menu, we could've ordered every single thing in the menu. Of note, we had the crawfish and alligator sausage cheesecake, pork ribs, deep fried roast beef po-boy, Aunt Leslie's Fried Chicken, and lamb shank. Not pictured was the bread pudding which we devoured without picture. The group traveled to New Orleans to try out time of the best cuisine the city has to offer. In my opinion, Jacque-Imo's had it all; good food and good service. read more

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Cajun cooking at its finest! When I think of the NoLA food scene, Jacques-IMO's comes to mind. Every thing I ate here (from the complimentary savory cornbread to the succulent redfish) exceeded my expectations! The restaurant itself is vibrant with art and disco music blared through the intimate dining setting. Come early in order to get a seat or be prepared to wait. Either way uou will not be disappointed! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Blackened Redfish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The hostesses were extremely rude, they didn't acknowledge us upon entry to the restaurant. They remained focused on their conversation they were having and randomly looked up at us several times and continued to chat and at one point they started calling names for tables without even asking us if we wanted a table. Fast forward to getting added to the waitlist and finished a seat at the bar for a drink while waiting, I saw someone who appeared to be a manager and got her attention to inform her of the situation. She apologized and made sure we got seated and even sent over an appetizer on the house which wasn't my angle . My goal was to assist the staff on training as this place is well known however people (me particularly) don't support and spend their money where they are tolerated and treated rude. Fast Fast Forward Our food was amazing we had several dishes and the star of the show was the Red Fish. We got to me Jacques he came through jumping up and down and dancing bringing the mood all the way up in the restaurant. He sat with us for drinks and we took photos. - Blacken Red Fish is amazing - Corn muffins are like your great grandmothers recipe - Fried Grits with corn grits was tasty read more

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Favorite restaurant in New Orleans hands down. Have been multiple times, only thing that would make it better would be if they took reservations. But with how small of a space there is that would make them impossible to get. So be peep to show up early. I have waited 2 hours before. But Maple St is a nice area you can go get drinks while wait. And the food and atmosphere is so worth it. Classic Cajun food that beats out any restaurant in the area. I got the crawfish etoufee which always gives you a good amount of meat and is one of the best etoufees Ive had. Venison was also really tasty and a good choice if you are looking to try something new. The Brussels sprouts were super good for an appetizer. Always will be coming back! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Crawfish Etoufee and Venison with sides. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I can't fathom the idea of coming to New Orleans and not visiting Jacques-Imo's. I lived across the street from it when it opened more than 30 years ago, and it has become the must-have culinary anchor for all of my visits since. It has never disappointed. From your very first bite of their decadent complementary corn bread to your last bite of literally any seafood dish on the menu,you will understand the allure. (I am told their meat dishes are similarly delicious, but I don't eat meat, haven't tried them.) And I don't remember ever having room for dessert. I recall that Jacques-Imo's was something of a local favorite in their early years. Despite the fact that the secret is out, the quality has remained stellar. Locals and visitors alike will serve themselves well with a visit uptown to this gem. read more

Loved loved loved this place. While in town for work, someone recommended three places to choose from and this one sounded like my kinda place. It was off the beaten path, cute, quirky, with the absolute best team of servers, and the most flavorful and delicious Southern cooking you could hope for. We were there on a weeknight not long after opening so we were able to get a table without waiting - whew! I had the cajun bouillibaise with mashed sweet potatoes and coleslaw and had a smile on my face the whole time we were there. The bread pudding dessert that was not on the menu was also phenomenal. What a treat. The owner came through and chatted with some regulars and then we ran into him on the street going back to our car. Nice fella. Great restaurant. Highly recommend and can't wait to return! read more

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First things first, go! Every Uber driver or tour guide will recommend this place as somewhere to eat while in town, and I totally agree! There is a wait, even though I was just dining by myself and had made a reservation. I waited about 30-45 minutes, which is why I gave them four stars. But after waiting, the service was good, and the food came out quickly. It is a quirky restaurant with a lot of things going on (decor and unique ambiance of restaurant). read more

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I had very high expectations based on reviews. I was beyond disappointed with my first visit. Hubby and I were visiting New Orleans, and saved Jacques-Imo's for our last dinner. We were staying in the French Quarter, so it was a bit of a journey to get to the restaurant. We arrived, and knew that it would most likely be a wait, based on reviews. Our wait was nearly an hour, on a Wednesday night. When our table was ready. We were given one of the 2 tables located just inside the entrance, adjacent to the waiting area. We literally sat 2 feet away, from where we waited for the table. Had I known we would be seated in the waiting area, we would have eaten at the bar. I did ask if we could be seated in the actual restaurant, I was told that it would be another 25 minutes. The space in which we were seated was dark, chilly, awkward, and impersonal. Once we were seated, we were warmly greeted by our server, Courtney. We proceeded to order drinks. I ordered Riesling which was listed on the menu, but not available. We received corn muffins drizzled with a garlic, butter, parsley sauce, not my favorite. I requested plain muffins with butter on the side, much better. We ordered the crab stuffed shrimp, as an appetizer, the presentation was nice, but the shrimp was just ok, the filling was non-descript and too mushy. We proceeded in ordering our entrees. I ordered the redfish with smothered cabbage and mashed sweet potatoes. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Both entrees included a spinach salad, which wasn't a salad, it was spinach leaves with a sesame dressing. A few tomatoes, pickled onions, anything additional would have been nice. We didn't enjoy the "salad" and therefore didn't finish it. Our entrees arrived after approx 30 minutes. The cabbage included sausage, which is not listed on the menu, I don't eat pork, and because our table was so poorly lit, I almost ate it. I asked for coleslaw to replace the cabbage. The cold coleslaw arrived on a small plate, wedged next to the hot sweet potatoes, which made my coleslaw warm. The red fish was ok, cooked and seasoned nicely, but it sat in a pool of creamy sauce, that was just not needed. My husband rated his meal 5 out of 10. 3 pieces of chicken, that were just ok. Mashed potatoes and meh, coleslaw. The best part of the entire visit. Was our server, Courtney. She was friendly, professional, and understanding. I left extremely underwhelmed and disappointed. read more

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Every dish was delicious as usual!! Service was friendly and engaging! Such a fun and eclectic ambiance!

Jacques-imo's is good restaurant also the owner of crabby jack on Jefferson Hwy don't forget the alligator pie!

My husband and I were going to write our own review about our extremely poor experience at Jacque IMO's, NOLA. But then we found a number of reviews by people who had experienced the very same things we did. It is awful that this poor behavior continues. Customers have said: ..told to take a bar table.. if you decline.. you are treated poorly. -they tried to seat us in the bar.. when we refused, long wait times,'.. if we could be seated in the actual restaurant, ..told.. it would be another 25 minutes.. the space.. was dark, chilly, awkward, and impersonal. -the "hostess/hater" stand.. when they did seat us, it was in that bar.. in a corner.. we were passed over for a table because according the nasty hostess.. "you should have taken that table". -absolutely shocking...to add insult to injury, I requested to speak with an owner or manager and held this review back in order for some explanation or even an apology to be given but to no avail. read more

This is the best fried chicken I've ever had! The breading is so light and flavorful. I also loved the ambience and friendly service. read more

Absolute must while visiting New Orleans. You might have to wait but there's a bar you can order from to help the time pass. The servers were super friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was fun and eclectic. The food was some of the best from this trip, highly recommend the redfish entree. read more

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I don't even know where to begin... my whole experience here was great. I felt welcomed and our server Haley was one of the best servers I've ever had. The food was very good. Had some of the best cornbread appetizers. The shrimp and alligator cheesecake was sooo rich and so gooood. I seriously was full by the time my entree came out. Highly recommend going in groups and sharing food like family style. Tables were a bit crammed in and close together but it makes sense to squeeze in as many people as possible bc it's so crowded and worth going to! The bathroom is located in like a pseudo kitchen and it's so tiny but it def adds character to the whole restaurant and vibe. Gotta try it at least once if you're in the big easy! read more

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Absolutely one of the coolest and best of New Orleans. Funky, hip and awesome. Their shrimp and alligator cheesecake is off the charts and is only topped by the customer service of their incredible employees. One of my favorites! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Gotta love New Orleans and her drinks in Go-Cups! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Went with a party of 6! Reservation time...spot on seating. Best service from Matt, absolutely delicious food enjoyed by all, from the fried chicken to the redfish, grouper and gulf fish and all the shellfish entrees. Tried the alligator cheesecake and the coconut bread pudding. And can't forget the corn muffins...YUM!!! A special visitor, Crabby Jack himself kept us entertained thruout the meal. Must try this place for a great experience in NOLA!!! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Fun at dinner... - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Pretty solid overall. The lighting, atmosphere, and music are cool. If you want a quiet spot, this ain't it. It aww a pretty loud in there which was fine with us. The cornbread they bring out is phenomenal. The alligator sausage cheesecake was okay. I've had dishes like that before and it's not my favorite but my wife wanted to try it. I can see why everyone loves it. It's worth trying. The blackened tuna was really good. I thought it was cooked and seasoned well. The short rib was really good too. The smothered okra and tomatoes on the side were perfect. The only negative to me was how small our table was. It was 2 of us but with an app and 2 side salads on the table it was jammed up. read more

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Fun dinner with friends.fun noisy vibe the service was super friendly and helpful. Had the paneed rabbit which was tastey and well prepared.others had a variety of dishes and all were enjoyed including a couple of vegetarians. Good time was had by all read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Definitely a classic the I recommend everyone tries at least once. Every time my family comes in town they want to eat here. The prices are not cheap, but they definitely give you your money's worth! The casual atmosphere with all of the artwork make it a fun and relaxed place to get a good meal with family and friends. The service is always good and fairly quick and the food comes out tasting fresh! I'm always excited for the poboy fest just to indulge in that alligator and shrimp cheesecake! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This is THE BEST restaurant in New Orleans. I've been going since the mid 90's when it opened. Last night I decided to get engaged and I wanted to sit at the table in the pickup truck. Everyone at the restaurant was GREAT especially our server Hayley who couldn't have been more accommodating for our special night. The food is AMAZING and if you are afraid to order the shrimp and alligator cheesecake get over yourself and just order it. Other restaurants have tried to copy but Jacques was the first. I can't say enough about this restaurant, the food, the staff, and the ambiance. Still feels like a hidden gem in this phenomenal food city. read more

If there's any place I want to gatekeep, it's here. It's the best hole in the wall, open kitchen restaurant you'll eat at in New Orleans. The owner Mr. Jake is former Coast Guard and one of the funniest, sweetest people I know. Honestly, I would tell you about my food but you truly need to experience it for your yourself. They start you off with cornbread and a house salad -- both are great! The drinks are strong and the servers are sooo lovely. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Smothered cabbage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We touched down in NOLA and knew I wanted to eat at Jacques-Imo's so we rushed over from the French quarter (a short Uber ride, not walking distance) and got there with 30 minutes to close. I was concerned they may turn us away or be rude since we were stopping in so late, but thankfully that wasn't the case at all. The host was friendly and our server sweet. I really appreciated the hospitality. The restaurant is eclectic and has a cool colorful vibe. The room we sat in was hand painted from floor to ceiling in trees and bayou vibes, it was so cool and didn't go unnoticed. It feels like you're dining in someone's NOLA kitchen. I ordered the fresh watermelon mojito and it was tasty and refreshing. I hate artificial watermelon flavor but it was obvious the watermelon was fresh by the big chunks at the bottom of the cup. lol For starters we had the fried green tomato, pepperjack arancini, and the famous alligator and shrimp cheesecake. All were excellent, but the star was definitely the cheesecake. It was flavorful and delicious. For dinner we shared the crawfish etouffee, and if I'm being completely honest, it wasn't the best I've had, although it wasn't the worst. Just didn't pack nearly as much flavor as the rest of the food we ordered. It did have plenty of crawfish meat in it though, so no complaints there. All in all, we were not disappointed and Jacques-imo's lived up to our expectations. Thank y'all for being so kind and hospitable to us! read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Outside the restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I absolutely LOVED this place. It was so good and so fun. It is very loud, they had the best music playlist, classic alternative for the win! Our server was Christina and she was great. She helped us decide on our meal and she was so sweet! I had told my mom I wanted to go to this restaurant and try the alligator cheesecake and she couldn't believe that I wanted to try it. She said it would be too adventurous for her. We did order it and my mom loved it as did I. It was so good! I definitely recommend it. I ordered the rabbit pasta and it was delicious as well. My mom got the blackened redfish and you get two sides too. We got cabbage, mashed sweet potatoes and coleslaw. Definitely glad we came here! read more

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Finally made it to Jacques-Imo's, and I can see why it's so highly recommended The atmosphere is vibrant and full of character, with art and decor that make the space feel alive. The food was outstanding flavorful, perfectly cooked, and paired with great drinks. The energy of the place was fun, welcoming, and truly memorable. Definitely lives up to the hype, and I'll absolutely be back read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Haven't been here in years but it lived up to the memories I had! The cornbread is the BEST, it is perfectly buttery and crisp on the outside but fluffy on the inside. Fried grits were fun, the sauce on the bottom makes it and the texture is nice with the crispy edges. The Brussels were also tasty, not too salty. Fried green tomatoes were also yummy, the breading was crunchy and the little dollops of sauce were a nice addition. Shrimp etoufee is a classic, and there's plenty of shrimp in the bowl! The stuffed catfish is very indulgent with the creamy sauce, but it's so flavorful and worth trying. If you're looking for classic New Orleans styled food, this place never disappoints! The price is worth it in my opinion because the servings are big and the service is excellent! read more

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Delicious experience! We were told , when in New Orleans you must visit Jacques-Imo's and we are glad we did! Delicious food, warm and friendly service (shout out to Trinity!). I had the grouper with grilled shrimp. Tasty, a little Asian feel / taste to it. The rice and beans were ok but not the star of the night. The cabbage was a hit at the table as was the cornbread, which was covered with garlic butter. My hubby had the blue cheese covered Filet Mignon. We were seated in the annex area. The noise level was very low and great for conversation. Definitely a place to visit again and again! read more

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It's been years since I enjoyed an evening here and Jacques-Imo's didn't disappoint. The wait staff were prompt, friendly and knowledgeable, the food was deliciously original, as advertised and the drinks were wonderful. Go early (5pm to avoid the crowds). It can be loud. But this place has a good reputation for a reason. A must-see if you're visiting New Orleans. read more

Came back here after coming here 9 years ago. The alligator cheesecake was better than I remembered - creamy, decadent. We wanted to get one of the specials with the soft shelll crab which they also had 9 years ago but unfortunately they were out that night. We got the redfish and stuffed catfish - both of which were phenomenal. Maybe some of the best fish dishes I've ever had. The fish was perfectly cooked and tender. Watermelon mojitos were refreshing but the watermelon bits were a bit too big to drink it with a straw. Ambiance is eclectic and cramped- can't fit a stroller in at all. Can also get very loud with music and if crowded but all part of the atmosphere. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Shrimp And Alligator Sausage Cheesecake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

We always have such a great time here! The bar is fun and buzzing, although not very large we like sitting in the section where you need to walk through the kitchen to get to it. The food is creative and delicious. Sometimes they have char grilled oysters, which are phenomenal. The alligator pie is essentially rich as an appetizer. Fried oysters and spinach salad is also a good choice. You can't go wrong with the fish entrées. Everyone we have tried has been fantastic. It's a classic New Orleans Orleans fun place. You can head to the Maple leaf bar next-door for the rest of the evening. Highly recommend this place. read more

Stopped by this joint after standing in the streets all day for Mardi Gras. If the locals go then you know it's not going to disappoint. It is a small venue and not easy for the physically challenged. The food was good and the atmosphere was a constant party. When in town definitely stop by it's like Cheers on steroids. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Red Beans Or Butter Beans And Rice Smothered Cabbage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Consistently one of the most mentioned restaurants when traveling to New Orleans, and I can see why. From the delicious sazerac's to the unique menu along with very passionate servers, it was an entire experience. Came with a larger group and was already alerted that we had to get the alligator and shrimp cheesecake. It's a delicious savory appetizer and great to share and pair with the corn bread. The corn bread alone was enough to come back for. I love a place when you ask the server what is good on the menu, and they respond, "everything." Definitely a true statement. I went with the crawfish etouffee and it was everything I wanted and more. Plenty of meaty bites of crawfish, delicious sauce, all delicious over rice - a real slice of NOLA cooking. Some other highlights were the fried chicken, blackened red fish and the fried rabbit. Everything was so delicious and no one went out drinking hungry or wanting for more. Would recommend and will come back next time I'm in New Orleans. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This place is fantastic! Great local joint. Super casual. Food is great! (Get the fried chicken!). Just a super fun, a lil bit divvy, local joint. I love this place. read more

Jacques-Imo's Cafe - Bar area - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Great service and food with a couple of small blips. If I could give it 4.5 stars I would, but since Yelp doesn't allow that... Went there on a weekday night and nonetheless it was busy! But the wait wasn't too long (about 20 minutes). Just wish there was someplace to comfortably wait in the front instead of basically being on top of tables with diners. It's really cool to head back to the main dining room by walking through the kitchen. Most of the food we had was great. The jambalaya was solid, though it represents a slightly different take on the classic, and the boudin was the best I had while in town. The red fish stole the show, with its delicious Cajun seasoning and flaky, subtle interior. Service was very friendly, and relatively quick. Where I have to dock them is on their crawfish etouffee, which may be a small crime against Cajun cuisine. The dish is supposed to be known for its rich, flavorful gravy but the gravy on this was thin, and the dish was inexcusably bland. It tasted like nothing. Given how good everything else was, I was honestly a little shocked a dish like this could leave THAT kitchen. So just avoid it and order literally anything else. I would absolutely go back and get the redfish again, maybe try some of the other starters, dessert, and a drink. read more