Gumbo’s Louisiana Style Café By Jim White Here’s a little Cajun and Creole cookin’ for you by way of Round Rock and Austin. Gumbo’s Louisiana Style Café is now open in the old We Oui location in the Crescent Court. The color scheme is toned down. Booths have been added. The atmosphere is upscale casual. The restaurant does a good job of translating the dishes in a way Texans’ are sure to like ‘em: fresh, big and spicy. Gumbo and Crawfish Étouffée are the two appetizers I’d recommend. Chicken tenders Cajun style should also be to your liking. Salads come on strong at lunch. Be sure to try the Blackened Catfish Salad over dirty rice or jambalaya. You can also get it with blackened chicken or blackened salmon. Fresh fish is flown in regularly, and in addition, you’ll find catfish prepared nine ways to Sunday—or at least 4 ways. Red beans shine. Blackened Chicken is moist, tender, and spicy. Not spicy enough? Gumbo’s is at the ready with good ol’ Louisiana hot sauce to kick it up a notch. PoBoys and combination sandwiches conjure up visions of the French Quarter. Shrimp and crawfish pasta is a popular dish, too. Tenderloin dishes and Salmon Rockefeller are highlights of the evening menu. Plus, you’ll enjoy Shrimp Creole and Lemon Pepper Fish. The menu is varied. The portions are big. And as we said, it’s spicy, but if you wanted mild food you probably wouldn’t be going to a Creole restaurant! I was very impressed with the service on our last visit. Our waiter anticipated every need—it was like mind reading in a couple of cases—and was very knowledgeable about the menu. Creed Ford III, formerly of Brinker International, is the honcho of Gumbo’s. He acquired the original Round Rock location a couple of years ago and opened another location in Austin. This is the third Gumbo’s. It’s part of Fired Up, Inc. which includes Johnny Carino’s Italian Kitchen. Gumbo’s is open Monday through Friday for lunch and every night for dinner. Valet parking is available. It’s located in the Crescent Court at Maple and McKinney Avenues in Dallas. Call 214-720-6094 for information and reservations. On the KRLD Restaurant Show Review Scale of One to Five Forks, Gumbo’s rates 3 and a Half Forks. Food is 3 and a Half Forks. Service is 3 and a Half Forks Atmosphere is 3 Forks. Price is moderately expensive, with lunch entrées ranging from $9.95 to $18.95 and dinner main courses from $12.95 to $29.95. ` ` Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com