Cajun Food in London?

This blog is dedicated to Pam Cooper, my New Orleans friend, who lives here in London and truly exemplifies the Mardi Gras spirit all year long. The little restaurant just over the bridge from our flat in Chelsea, London is going to "let the good times roll" this week with their pop-up Jambalaya menu.

The JAM Tree restaurant serving JAMbalaya-get it? Good, because that little detail escaped me until today.

The choices were pretty extensive, and we were anxious to try out some of the Cajun delicacies- British style.

Cristen and Jason really wanted to order frickles (fried pickles) for an appetizer, but since we were there on the first evening of the new menu, they weren't quite prepared to fry pickles the first night. Honestly, I think they were a bit overwhelmed by all the new recipes!

So, second choice for an appetizer was Momma's Southern Fried Chicken with Creole Slaw. Little chicken wings topped with a single fried okra isn't really what my momma makes, but they were tasty.

Cristen ordered Etouffée,

and Jason selected the Jambalaya.

They both really liked their choices.

Served with the étoufée were collard greens and dirty rice.

My dish was a little more complicated. Blackened Shrimp with Grits, Re-fried Green Tomatoes, and Biscuits. Every bit of it was very tasty, but there were no biscuits. The manager told me that the chef hadn't found a recipe he liked yet!

Maybe he hasn't yet figured out that a biscuit is bread, and not a cookie!

With New Orleans jazz music playing in the background and a garden spot for warmer afternoons, The Jam Tree is a great choice, especially now.

So London friends, time is short: the menu only lasts until April 28, so don't drag your feet. Get yourself over to the Jam Tree on Kings Road in Chelsea or their Clapham location and "laissez les bons temps rouler!"