Nestled into a line of new restaurants and bars downtown sits Bon Temps Cafe, a New Orleans themed restaurant like no other in Saskatoon.

Walking through the doors, you leave the cold winter snow behind and enter a world that gives you a glimpse into the culture and past of New Orleans. Murals and pictures of big bands with classic creole influences cover the walls in an aesthetic that immediately pulls you in.

After you’re seated you’ll get accustomed to the atmosphere and dark mood lighting, with excellent music that fits the big band aesthetic of the restaurant playing overhead.

While a large part of the enjoyment of Bon Temps is its unique look and atmosphere, food remains king. There are certainly a number of exciting options to choose from, most of which play with that Creole flair that is rare in the prairies.

For an appetizer we ordered the Acadian Peppered Shrimp, a simple sounding dish to get the meal started.

The first thing noticed about the plate was sadly there was not a whole lot of food on it. A dozen shrimp give or take were scattered across the plate with some dressing and lemons. The shrimp themselves were juicy and the spice was hot, but there was a distinct lack of flavour coupled with the heat. It was a little disappointing, but once applying some lemon a more of a spicy citrus flavour emerged.

There’s a selection of speciality drinks that are said to define the particular New Orleans feel that Bon Temps has. I had the Absinthe Frappe, a drink with mint and soda that the menu claims was frequently served to Oscar Wilde. A difficult drink to explain, it begins smooth and minty but ends with a hot taste that washes through your whole month for an enjoyable experience overall.

When it came to the main course there was a number of tempting choices once again, but once I saw the menu’s creole portion I made the choice to delve into a type of food I’ve always wanted to try.

Bon Temps Seafood Creole has shrimp, crawfish tails, scallops and snappers sauteed in their trademark creole sauce. This blend is placed over a bed of white rice along with a delicious fresh biscuit to dip in the sauce. The fish was all sauteed perfectly and it’s combination of flavours with the sauce and rice creates a unique sweet-and-savory flavour.

However, parts of the creole sauce often tasted a little more pasta sauce-like than expected, sometimes taking over the whole taste with a tomato flavour. This is a minor complaint that only came in during the final bites as the meal as a whole was hard to stop eating, each bite bringing on new and exciting flavours with all of the different seafood incorporated.

It’s recommended that you stay with the menu’s more Louisiana seafood influenced specialities, as the bourbon chicken that my date had was not quite up to par, with chicken that had an odd texture and was possibly a little undercooked. Luckily, the sides of special mashed potatoes, which contained bacon for an added twist, and spiced corn on the cob saved the meal for her.

The food is hit or miss and is in the higher price range, but what you’re paying for is a special dining experience that’s well worth a try for those looking for great atmosphere.

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Photo: Tab Rahman/Copy Editor