Cajun Claws

Ahoy! Cajun Claws, inspired by the famous US Boiling Crab, have recently opened its doors in PIK. As the name suggests, this diner serves seafood – Louisiana style.

For starters, the owners, Tommy and chef Anthony, are crab enthusiasts looking to bring the enjoyment of Louisiana flavoured fresh seafood onto your table. The beauty of Boiling Crab, Tommy says, is eating plenty of good food, surrounded by friends and family on festive occasions. And this is precisely the experience that they are hoping to bring to its patrons.

These foodies owners are aware of the increasing competition in this food genre. Although there are pretty decent versions of Boiling Crab replicas in Jakarta such as Cut the Crab, Holy Crab! And Mr. Crabby, none seem to give them the authentic Louisiana flavor in their opinion – so why not start one themselves?

Maybe it is due to the alterations in the sauces to suit Indonesians’ taste bud. Luckily for us though, their dissatisfaction allowed us to enjoy yet another deliciously-cholesterol loading seafood feast.

We were served a string of appetizers: Cajun fries (Rp25k) with homemade tartar sauce& Fried shrimps (Rp48k) with homemade thousand island sauce–The homemade thousand island sauce is a perfect take on the classic versatile sauce. Its tangy, zesty and savory; a personal favourite for Princess Fiona. I, on the other hand, loved the homemade tartar sauce; a bit on the sweet side but there is also a hint of tanginess. Both are not as thick as the usual, but trust me, they work extremely well with the crispy fried Canadian fries and shrimps.

Buffolo wings (Rp32k)– Finger-licking good! We could definitely taste Tabasco-like sauce responsible for the heat but don’t worry, it won’t make you sweat or burnt your tongue. The spiciness and crispy level was just right and each chicken has the right amount of marinate. I’m not usually a big fan of wings, but I actually enjoyed these.

Post the entrees, we were offered their rice-based specials.

Seafood Gumbo (Rp69k) and Jambalaya (Rp58k) – Weird names aren’t they? These are actually my first experience with both dishes. The Jimbalaya tasted a bit like paella but less flavorful. Compared to fried rice, it is also less dry. Not a huge fan of this but Princess Fiona loved the sausages in it.

Personally, I prefer the curry looking Gumbo. I find the flavors sharper and more savory. I could taste the crab in the sauce almost like it is simmered into a liquid form. Loved it!

Now for the finale, seafood, seafood and more seafood. We were served a variety of seafood, from local shrimps to imported king crab, with 2 types of sauces – the works and lemon pepper. The works contains more spices and is unquestionably the winner of the two. You also have a say in the spiciness level for the works, ranging from mild to extra spicy.

Alaskan King Crab legs (seasonal price) – Shipped monthly all the way from Alaska, it is definitely the star of the restaurant! Even without any sauces, the meat was extremely sweet and tasty.

Mud crab (Rp42k/100g) – As good as it’s more premium sister. Meat was plentiful, sweet and tender. There’s also a taste of salinity, indicating that it is indeed fresh; by far the most important component for a delicious crab dish.

American lobster (seasonal price) – This was paired with The Works sauce. Sadly, it was slightly overcooked and came out a bit rubbery. A common mistake for seafood dishes.

Crawfish (Rp42k/100g) – It is rare to see crawfish in Indonesia, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it on the tasting menu. For those who have never tried it, crawfish is like a mini lobster. You have to go through the hard work of breaking their hardshell to get to their juicy meat. A demanding yet rewarding process.

Shrimps (Rp29k/100g) – Ease of peeling: check. Fresh level: check. Value for money: check. Overall a great dish.

Cajun Claws really emphasizes its high quality ingredients, down all the way to the potatoes (Canadian) and Tabasco-like sauce used (imported from Louisiana) and making sure that the taste remains true to its Louisiana origin. However, good quality food always comes at a certain price. Do not expect your bill to be cheap if you order imported dish and remember to pop your cholesterol meds after this!

Food: |****  |          Ambience: |***  |         Price: |$$$ – $$$$|

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5 pm-10 pm; Fri-Sun 12 pm – 3 pm; 5 pm – 10pm

Location: Ruko Cordoba, Blok G No. 1, Bukit Golf Mediterania, Jl. Marina Indah Raya, Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta

Telephone: +62 21 29704981

Posted by AliceInWonderland