Last month, I was in New Orleans, AKA Seafood Heaven. It was actually serendipitous that I made this trip, just as I was about to launch my blog. I was most excited to try some southern fish delicacies NOLA is known for, amidst snacking on beignets and crepes of course. I went with a friend and we stayed in the French Quarter. If you know me, you know that I have a deep love for anything French. So between the seafood and the French influence, I was in my element!
Usually, I like to blog about one or two of my favorite foods from my travels. But the clear winner on this trip was the Seafood Gumbo, which ironically was also my first meal in there. There was a consensus among everyone we asked that The Gumbo Shop was a must for any first-time visitor, so my friend and I ventured there for lunch. As soon as we arrived, we ordered two Cajun Bloody Marys and the Seafood Gumbo. We were told that the bloody marys were a good complement to the spicy gumbo we were about to devour, and we surely did not need any convincing.
The gumbo arrived in a bowl topped with steaming rice and fried okra. I can’t say it looked pretty but I guess it’s hard to plate gumbo. The temperature was just right and the first bite knocked my socks off! The gumbo consisted of a generous mix of shrimp, crab and oysters in a thick broth. There were also some roasted garlic pods sprinkled in there, which at first seemed odd, but it definitely enhanced the flavors. There is something about eating a soup like gumbo knowing that it's made from the local, fresh catch of the day. And as you probably guessed, there is no dearth of fresh fish in New Orleans. The chef knows his gumbo & used the roux in perfect amounts to create a consistency so perfect, that you could eat it by itself if you wanted. And the clincher… warm French bread to go with your soup!
It's not hard to see why gumbo is considered one of the best contributions to Louisiana’s cuisine. Boy, did it leave me wanting more! This was only the beginning and I still had the shrimp po boy, blackened catfish and shrimp & grits to try! If you like seafood even a little, make a trip to NOLA and definitely visit The Gumbo Shop!
Gumbo Shop
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Address: 630 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116
Phone: (504) 525-1486
Website: http://www.gumboshop.com
Email: gumbo@gumboshop.com
Hours: Sun - Thurs 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM
Price: $9-$25