Mike F.
Yelp
I throw the word "authentic" around a lot in my reviews, but this time I mean it.
Ethel's Creole Kitchen is LEGIT authentic Louisiana cuisine up here in the north east. Crazy I know.
So, how could I tell? It's all in the roux, man. When it's that rich and that dark and can permeate an entire dish with such a small amount... that potency is simply unmatched. It's acute, bona fide flavor.
Before we get into the food, let's start with the cocktails. Lots to choose from, including the New Orleans classic, the Sazerac (rye, absinthe, bitters, and a lemon twist). They have all the usual staples as well, like their Prohibition Perfect Manhattan, Seasonal Sangria, and Lemon Drop.
For whatever reason, I was feeling something sweet, so I went with the Lemon Drop. It was, uh, very lemony. Sugar rim, lemon twist. Very pleasing to the eye. Simple yet elegant. If you're a fan of Sour Patch Kids, this is for you.
As for the food - holy crap, everything was a home run.
Started with the Chippepa (fire roasted red bell pepper stuffed with Andouille sausage, mozzarella, and peppers and onions). Very unique appetizer. Comes out looking like a giant Italian meatball. And it really is giant. This may be intended for one person, but it's great for splitting up two ways. Just slice that baby in half and you're good to go.
For my main, I couldn't pass up on the gumbo. When I think of New Orleans cooking, that's the first dish that always comes to mind. And I even love that boxed gumbo by Zatarain's (as well as their jambalaya). You can choose your proteins - I went with chicken and Andouille, but you could sub shrimp in as well. Gumbo, of course, starts with the dark roux. And Ethel's hits the nail on the head. You get a wonderfully rich broth that explodes with flavor.
The other standout has got to be the Creole Shrimp Boat. Not sure if many people order it here, but it's not something to be overlooked. You get sauteed shrimp, mussels, jumbo lump crab meat, and fish du jour simmered in fire roasted red bell pepper sauce, creole rice, and vegetables du jour.
Speaking of vegetables "du jour," they are the same every day. Every day forever. It's squash and carrots. Perfectly fine, but if you frequent this place, don't expect anything different. Ever. That's what we got, and looking back through years of reviews and photos, that's what everyone else got as well.
Wonderful experience overall. Clean, comforting dining room. Wood floors, wood table tops, wood stools at the counter. Polished look all around.
Ethel's gives me that rare feeling about a restaurant... that feeling of... "Thank god you exist." Definitely don't feel that way about a lot of places. But being able to have a truly authentic creole dining experience in the northeastern part of the US... gosh, I just feel so fortunate. One day I may make it down to New Orleans to taste their fabled fare, but until then, Ethel's will fill that bayou-sized void.