By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor
The Pearl at 6871 Fern Avenue, Shreveport opened a few years ago. I haven’t found a real reason to get up there and try it out — until I received a $100 gift card and was given the opportunity to go there with my daughter for an early dinner.
A pleasant surprise was that the appetizers were half-priced when ordered before 6 p.m. I was planning on trying one either way, it just made it more value added. We zeroed in on the Crab Au Gratin; it comes with garlic herb crostini.
This appetizer is, without a doubt, the single best appetizer I have had since moving to Shreveport 29 years ago.
You could hand me a spoon and a big bowl and you will not hear from me until it’s gone. I will be meeting friends at The Pearl for this dish and a couple drinks for happy hour. I must admit we ordered one of these to go as well, and it was just as good the next day.
For my entre I went with the Crawfish Caroline: crawfish in a spicy cream sauce tossed with penne pasta. The spicy was just the right amount for me, where I feel a bite but not where it overwhelms your taste buds. I was worried that the Crab Au Gratin set the bar too high, but this meal was so good, there was no letdown.
My daughter ordered the Pan-Fried Pecan Catfish, which I had briefly thought about getting until she ordered it.
She chose to have garlic mashed potatoes instead of the gouda grits. It also comes with garlic green beans as well. She loved it, but how could I tell you about it without getting a taste myself? She indulged us and made a little side plate for me with all three items. She was indeed right, it was fantastic. The catfish had the right amount of spice and encrusted pecans that the sear made the dish sing. The green beans were prepared very well, cooked through but still held their shape.
As I was ordering, the dilemma I faced was knowing I could not have both the oysters and the bread pudding. Since beginning this tour of local eateries, I have yet to get to a dessert, I chose the bread pudding.
That was just the right end to my meal. It was brioche topped with ice cream and a hot butter rum sauce. It’s too good for its own good. I can see myself gaining weight just on that bread pudding alone!
The one thing I failed to mention is that the serving sizes are so massive, you will definitely have left-overs for lunch the next day.
My next visit to The Pearl will include the oysters — my only regret when I walked out of the restaurant, as I headed for the nap I needed afterward.
Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net
