In the thick of the Philly winter it's hard to believe that the spirit of the Mississippi Delta is alive and well this far north. But thankfully, our prayers have been answered: native New Orleanian Michael Duplantis and local boy Michael Munoz opened Crescent City last year to bring the flavors of the former to the heart of the latter.
Rich with burgundy hues, candlelight and photographs of New Orleans' Garden District, the d‚cor speaks to a rich Cajun tradition that's reflected in the menu. From the gulf shrimp and chipotle Caesar salad garnished with shaved Parmesan cheese ($7) to the rock shrimp with authentic alligator sausage ($13) trucked in from Louisiana, the place has flare.
Don't let the description fool you: even though the restaurant is Southern in nature, the taste of the food is delicate without losing any of that Cajun flavor. The tomato stack ($11) is subtle and fried just-so as to beautifully compliment the texture of the cheese and leek cream. The shrimp and avocado quesadilla ($10) is thick and generous in its portion size. There is a bite to the mystery sauce on top that is both completely unexpected and absolutely delicious.
The starters are rounded out with a signature New Orleans dish: BBQ shrimp cooked to succulent perfection in a soupy jerk seasoning that can be used for dipping long after the meat is polished off.
The dishes are reminiscent of a home-cooked meal. The shrimp Creole ($19) is hearty and pleasant, with the meat battered lightly and laid over a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce. The baby back ribs ($21) are even more impressive. Marinated for four days in Duplantis' homemade spice rub and then slowly cooked, the meat melts in your mouth like any good barbeque should.
If there's anything the South is known for, its desserts, and Crescent City carries the flame. The chocolate sensation ($7) is scrumptious: a bread pudding made with four different types of chocolate and a cinnamon garnish that is surprising and fresh (and devoured before our waiter could bring us more forks).
It wouldn't be proper Southern cuisine without good drinks and good music: do yourself a favor and stop by for happy hour (Mon.-Thurs., 5-7 p.m.) or check out their live music on Monday and Friday nights from 6:30-10:30 p.m. But really, what more do you need in life than some alligator sausage and maybe a little jambalaya on the side?
