We have dined here several times since we first moved here. We have also been fortunate enough to dine at several very Cajun/Creole restaurants throughout Louisiana since our retirement. It is one of our favorite cuisines. Located in Elk Rapids about 25 miles NW of our home it is not a long commute, filled with pleasant country scenery if we go the back route along the county road from Rapid City to Torch Lake to Elk Rapids and around Elk Lake.
Authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine is hard to duplicate, and we haven't found much locally. Remember Soul Hole in Traverse City? There is one very good restaurant in the Upper Peninsula in Marquette. Lagniappe | A Cajun Creole Eatery This is our first visit in probably 20 years. Many NW Michigan eateries have been bought out by larger consortiums. The addition of Magnum Hospitality as owners did not lead to major changes in the restaurant's concept or menu.
Pearl's offers a wide variety of both authentic and local favorite adaptations. This can be difficult to do. They have an extensive offering of appetizers, salads, and entrees for both the lunch and dinner menu. This includes frog legs, gumbo, gator, catfish, shrimp, fresh oysters, fried green tomatoes, andouille, crawfish cakes, and red beans and rice. The soup and salad recipes are also quite thorough. They also have a very nice selection of Po' Boys and Muffulettas. Pearls New Orleans Kitchen | Elk Rapids, MI. Additionally on the night we dined here they offered other specials such as salmon, oysters, and Crawfish Mac n Cheese.
