Welcome to the Best of New Orleans! Shoptalk 03 29 05

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SHOPTALK By Kandace Power Graves

03 29 05

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Pure Cajun Fun

Mulate's soon will release the second edition of its revered cookbook.

To bill yourself as an "original Cajun restaurant" so close to the heart of Cajunland can be risky, unless you have the goods to back it up. After 15 years of providing patrons authentic Cajun cuisine, music and dancing, Mulate's Original Cajun Restaurant (201 Julia St., 522-1492) has earned its use of the moniker.

When he started the restaurant, Kerry Boutte patterned it after an enterprise he established in Breaux Bridge 25 years ago. When he retired, he turned over operations to his daughter, Monique Boutte Christina, and her husband, lawyer-turned-restaurateur Murphy Christina.

"Originally ... we used all my dad's recipes from when he started the restaurant in Breaux Bridge," Monique says. "We've added a few things since, like the crabmeat au gratin and the blackened redfish. We have excellent gumbos, three kinds: seafood, zydeco and for our 15-year anniversary, an andouille gumbo."

Hailing from Lafayette, the Boutte family knows what a true Cajun experience should be. In addition to an expansive menu, Mulate's also stages live Cajun music every night and has a large dance floor.

"We're just trying to provide the most authentic Cajun experience in town," Monique says. "We strive for the most authentic and consistent food, and we want to provide a family atmosphere. Because of our location (near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center) as much as our history, we cater to a lot of conventioneers and tourists" as well as locals.

The restaurant seats 300, and Mulate's Party Hall next door can accommodate private functions for as many as 200 guests. Mulate's also has a store that sells its cookbook, signature seasonings, logo items, CDs, dance videos and even a toy accordion. Monique says she currently is working on a second edition of the Mulate's cookbook.

Music To Your Mouth

The new restaurant Margaux's On Oak (8400 Oak St., 865-1559) has hired Chef Chris Jones, former owner of Thibodaux Jones Creole Kitchen in Asheville, N.C., to head up the kitchen at the casual, contemporary Creole/Cajun restaurant. He also has been head chef at Bon Ton Cafe and worked at The Grill Room and other upscale restaurants from New York to Colorado. Margaux's invites diners to a "Restaurant Rebirth Reveillon" from 5 p.m.-until on Saturday, featuring live music and a special tasting menu.