Authentic New Orleans food is not easy to come by in London which is a shame as the “Big Easy” has one of the richest food cultures going. A melting pot of French, Spanish and African influences, plus good old Deep South BBQ, there are few better places in the States to eat like a king.
Thank goodness then for Decatur, which has now taken up permanent residence at Pamela on Kingsland Road, following stints on the street food circuit. With a short but sweet menu of New Orleans classics this is about as close as you can get to the real deal. We loved the snacks of chargrilled oysters, served with a garlic pecorino butter, plus the epic pork belly croquette, and ‘beer cheese’ (beer whipped with cheese and served with toasted sourdough) to start.
[URIS id=65050]Next came confit buffalo wings, probably the most tender chicken wings we’ve ever had, covered in tangy hot sauce. For the main event, it had to be crawfish étouffée, one of New Orleans’ most famous dishes. A creole-spiced stew with juicy crawfish and served over rice, this was the standout dish of the night. Take our tip too and order the warm cheddar biscuit to go alongside it – perfect for soaking up the remains of that sauce.
For a true taste of N’awlins, take a trip to Decatur.
428 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA
www.pamelabar.com