Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Marietta, GA

This restaurant is absolutely wonderful! I visited Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen for lunch one day with several co-workers and was pleasantly surprised. Having never been, and absolutely loving the spicy Creole and Cajun fare of Louisiana, I was in instant heaven. I can't begin to describe the aromas that emanated from the kitchen!

Pappadeaux's actual restaurant location is set just off the exit ramp for Windy Hill Road in Marietta, off of I-75 North, just past the I-285 interchange. It features ample parking, and a large, wooden, perfectly kept deck with beautiful garden-like hanging foliage. The restaurant is large and spacious, and very classy. It features an oval-shaped, seated bar, which, of course, is fully-stocked, with a separate wine list and beverage menu. The table display was absolutely lovely with white linen napkins. Waiters and waitresses are even in full uniform, with white linen towels draped over their arms, and are completely attentive.

The appetizers were absolutely scrumptious. We individually ordered, but then sampled each other's Fried Alligator (yes! fried alligator! We had a co-worker from Louisiana and one from Florida!), Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Calamari, Coconut Shrimp and Jumbo Lump Crabcakes. They also serve many oyster appetizers as well. The appetizers will run you anywhere from $2.95 for garlic bread to $11.95 for blackened oyster & shrimp fondeaux.

For lunch we ordered the Pasta Mardi Gras (linguine with crawfish, andouille sausage & crimini mussels a marinara cream sauce topped with jumbo grilled shrimp), Shrimp Etouffee with white rice (you can request dirty rice instead), the Seafood Platter (friend shrimp, fried oysters, fried catfish fillet, stuffed shrimp and stuffed crab) and Jumbo Shrimp Brouchette (bacon-wrapped, stuffed with cheese & spicy peppers over dirty rice). The entrees range anywhere from a cup of Gumbo at $5.95 to Filet Mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus at $28.95.

One thing that I do believe caused a ripple of dismay is the fact that most of Pappadeaux's dishes do not come with sides, such as veggies, fries, potatoes, rice or onion rings, and have to be added to the meal, for an additional price, of course. The side dishes range from $2.75 to $5.95 EACH. The drinks, regular ole' soda or sweet tea, were also a little on the pricey side, at $2.50 each, and the Cappuccino was a whopping $3.75 per cup.

Desserts were mere bliss and required our complete indulgence, and of course, we did oblige! Crème Brulée, Banana Wafer Pudding served in a handled mason jar, Bread Pudding, Vanilla Cheesecake with fresh strawberries. Yum! The dessert prices rivaled any other chain restaurant I've been to, ranging in price from $1.45 for a scoop of Håågen Dasz® Ice Cream to several desserts I've mentioned at $6.95.

I highly recommend Pappadeaux Seafood Restaurant as 'must' for an occasional night out on the town, or even for a special event. But, as good as the food is, the prices make it a 3 - 4 times a year affair. You'll walk away spending around $20 or so per person for lunch and about $45 per person for dinner. The restaurant caters and actually has three locations here in Georgia: Alpharetta, Norcross and the one I went to in Marietta (I haven't been to the other two, but I'm willing to!), plus there are Pappadeaux locations also in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. Choose one and get your grub on!