1 lb. Cajun broiled crawfish
with the Just Move gym), sits this little gem, in the spot previously occupied by Island Bar & Grill. In fact, it looks very much the same as it did when it was the Island Bar – it wasn’t broke, so they didn’t fix it – but rather, just gave it bright, cheerful touches of purple paint and a Mardi Gras theme. AN UPBEAT ATMOSPHERE I recently spoke to Karsten Shank, the restaurant’s General Manager. He explained that the owner, Johnny Nguyen, is originally from Vietnam but found New Orleans once he came to the States. “He loved the food and the upbeat atmosphere – and wanted to bring that to this area,” Shank began. Before he opened in October 2018, Nguyen hired Shank, a Lake Wales native with a broad range of culinary experience, including traditional Southern cuisine and time at Disney’s Rainforest Café and Michael Cook, who is the Lead Cook. Russell, Shank explained, is originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi – a place that is very familiar with how to do Cajun food right.
of both the crawfish and the crab. Our table, however, wanted to start with the basics, so Mom ordered the Crab Cakes ($7.99 from the Starters Menu) and added sides of Onion Rings and Red Potatoes (her entire bill, including a large soft drink, was $13 and change); I ordered the One dozen fresh oysters. Louisiana Jambalaya with hush puppies ($10.99). Hubby was excited to try the Red Beans and Rice shared. ($9.99) once he found out it included sausage and So yes, that’s correct – this dessert is so generous bacon as proteins. Before all that, though, we tried the Boudin Balls that five adults shared it, and all of us had plenty. ($6.99 for four) appetizer – which is absolutely one MAKE IT A DATE NIGHT of my favorite appetizers ever. I highly recommend that you copy this part of I was not disappointed. They were generous, deep fried to perfection and, well, I could make that our dating ritual and try this place out (and in case my entire meal, if I didn’t have to share. you’re wondering, it has a full liquor bar). Even We were equally pleased with the Jambalaya better, try it on a night when the local Blues/Jazz and Red Beans and Rice – even more so with the group, the New Orleans Night Hawks, will be Red Beans. there providing the musical ambiance (Next dates: Next time I go, I would like to try the Fried December 14, January 11). Seafood Combo for $13.99, which includes oysters, FMI: Little New Orleans Kitchen & Oyster Bar, shrimp, and catfish. 5654 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. (863) We finished the meal with Beignets ($3.99) – a nice touch – but we didn’t buy them. Remember 324-0404. Hours: Sun-Thurs, Noon to 10PM; Fri-Sat, that couple in the next booth I mentioned? They Noon to 11PM.
THE MENU Shank is proud of the menu the trio developed, which includes Cajun and Creole basics, and a number of seafood options, well beyond just oysters, including crawfish and Dungeness crab. “There aren’t a lot of places in the area that offer crawfish,” Shank continued. “My favorite, though, is the fried Dungeness Crab (which you can try for $24/lb).” All items are house made. EATING THERE On a recent Sunday, I tried the place, accompanied by my mom and hubby. I was actually a little nervous about how mom would like it – spicy isn’t her thing – but Shank had assured me that they don’t go crazy with the heat. I needn’t have worried. She loved the place. I had a feeling very quickly that we would love the food when we struck up a conversation with the couple in the booth next to us—she was a native of New Orleans, and this was their second time dining there: the first was the day before… that’s right, she loved it so much she wanted to try more items from the menu. She spoke very highly 8 DECEMBER 2019
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