Voodoo Bayou Opens in Palm Beach Gardens
Restaurateur Curtis Peery’s highly-anticipated Voodoo Bayou Southern Cajun Kitchen officially opens today in Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens. If the previews are any indication, the two-story, 8,000 square-foot eatery will be a big winner in the growing dining scene along PGA Boulevard.
Featuring New Orleans-style artwork on the walls and stained-glass windows above the massive bourbon-centric bar, Voodoo Bayou has been in the works for more than 18 months.
The restaurant, Peery said, turned out “even better,’’ than when it was conceived.
“We had a really great architect and my wife (Carolina Sanchez) was the designer,’’ said Peery, who owns Calaveras Cantina in Jupiter and is opening a second Calaveras Cantina in Boca Raton later this year. “We had a good design team and a lot of good construction people. And our chefs are incredible.’’
To that end, Voodoo Bayou’s menu features an outstanding menu of Southern/Cajun cooking that you won’t find anywhere else in South Florida.
If you don’t begin with the Buttermilk Biscuits (with Honey Butter and Jalapeno Pear Jam) then you’re not doing it right at Voodoo Bayou. Then go into the Jambalaya with shrimp, andouille, chicken, peppers and crispy okra. The serving is just the right size and not too heavy or too spicy.
The wood-fired oysters and Redfish each are prepared in the open kitchen’s domed wood fire oven, Each is a “must have,’’ as is the crispy Louisiana Style Fried Chicken served with hot honey and a buttermilk biscuit.
The menu also includes shrimp and oyster Po’ Boys, an 18-ounce Cajun Ribeye steak and Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee. And don’t pass on the banana pudding dessert.
Although it’s still a few weeks away, Peery is planning for a daily brunch.
“I spent some time in New Orleans and fell in love with it,’’ said Peery, who was raised in Palm Beach Gardens. “Peery said. “This is my home town. I really wanted to bring this food here and introduce it to the people.’’
People … meet Voodoo Bayou.