Hardshell Cafe

Here in St. Louis we're quite lucky to have a choice of Cajun eateries, where in Chicago there is one (that I can think of). Last night we were in the mood for something not too crazy and a little seafood sounded just right. Just like the Broadway Oyster Bar (see previous post), 1860's Hardshell Cafe has raw oysters, peel-n-eats and a selection of Louisianna fare. The raw oysters were fair; I think it's an eat-at-your-own-risk type of meal to have raw seafood in land-locked Missouri. However, the shrimp was quite good-better than BOB. We also supplemented our appetizers with gumbo and etoufee, both tasty. There was a sweet-like flavor in the gumbo and I had to ask our intoxicated bartender/waitress exactly what it was. "Can't tell it's a secret! Ok, it's anise." Interestingly, I would have never guessed this-I surmised it was sweet sherry. Both the etoufee and the gumbo were made with a great roux, which is something I continue to try to perfect in my home kitchen.
Unfortunately, the tap selection left me wanting more. I wanted a stout, which along with porter, is my beer of choice in the dead of winter. I first tried O'Fallon's Russian (?) Stout, which tasted like soap going down but then actually tasted like stout in the aftertaste. Not impressed with that, I mistakenly ordered Schlafly's Oatmeal Stout. Ikes. DO NOT DRINK THIS. I try to support the local microbrews, but seriously.
Hardshell is in wonderful Soulard and has these 10 foot tall Mardi Gras jesters right in the bar. They're also selling Mardi Gras shirts. Go here before Mardi Gras Saturday and actually enjoy yourself.

http://www.soularddining.com/?D=1+Home