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It’s a good time to eat Creole food in San Francisco, with three New Orleans-inspired restaurants opening in the last five months. First was the rebirth of Elite Cafe on Fillmore, followed by Alba Ray’s in the Mission last month, and this week brings Bayou Creole Kitchen, also in the Mission at 3412 17th St.
Bayou quietly opened its doors one week ago — just in time for Mardi Gras — offering NOLA classics from chefs Jerome Rivoire and Arthur Wall, who grew up in the city. His menu is filled with all the necessary classics like crawfish etouffée, shrimp and grits, gumbo, and muffuletta, yet there’s also an entire rotisserie section with chicken and baby back ribs. It’s beer and wine only to round out your meal.
The space is homey, yet also quirky, filled with delights like an alligator head wearing beads and a photograph of Salvador Dalí with a skillet hanging off his mustache.
Bayou Kitchen is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., though until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
