06/21/09
Cajun Dave's is now open. Check out the full menu at www.Cajun-Daves.com.
Cajun Dave's At The Water Street Tavern Is Open For Business
There's a new place to eat in a familiar place to drink and enjoy in Kent - Cajun Dave's! Located at the famous Water Street Tavern in downtown Kent, Cajun Dave's is where you'll find great food with southern flair and New Orleans flavor.
Chef Dave Russo of the popular Russo's Restaurant located in Peninsula on State Road, spent 13 years training in the best kitchens in New Orleans, including Emeril Lagasse's. "What we provide at Cajun Dave's is cooking from scratch, there's nothing one dimensional about our food," said Russo. "Our slow cooking method allows you to taste the layers of spices and fresh ingredients in everything we make." He added, "there's a whole lotta love going into every item we prepare from scratch."
A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Russo is collaborating his culinary expertise with those of fellow-buckeye, Brian Bower who will manage Kent's newest dining establishment. Bower worked for nine years in Charleston, South Carolina where we honed his skills in southern style cuisine. "Our styles are different, but the ingredients and our philosophy in regards to cooking good food is the same," said Bower who returned to Ohio so his wife could enroll in KSU's nursing program. "Items on the menu include family recipes that have been passed down through the generations," added Bower.
When asked, "Why Kent?" Russo said the Water Street Tavern is a well-known, fun place people like to go to, but that it needed something---not gourmet, but definitely not your typical bar food--the perfect description of Russo's menu. It will feature items such as Po-Boy Sandwiches, Gumbo Ya Ya, Jambalya, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Monica, and much, much more. Bower is quick to point out that 'cajun' doesn't always mean spicy. "A lot of people automatically think spicy and hot when you mention cajun. However, at Cajun Dave's we focus on our food being more flavorful." The sauces prepared are developed within--tested and proven--nothing made to burn your mouth. "That approach to cooking is not what we're interested in," said Bower.
In addition to the mouth-watering bayou favorites, there will be traditional items available such as pizza, burgers and wings - but there's nothing traditional about the way they're prepared. "Our fresh, homemade pizza dough is placed directly on the stone of a hearth oven to produce a thin, crispy, yet fluffy crust," said Russo. And a burger isn't just a burger at Cajun Dave's. "Angus chuck is ground twice a day in our kitchen," said Russo. "We then add our 'secret bayou' seasonings and griddle it to perfection." And the wings? "We start with fresh chicken and marinate it to produce succulent flavor in every bite," said Russo.
"I'm excited about having Cajun Dave's right here in the bar," said Mike Beder, owner of the Water Street Tavern. "People can walk up to the window to order their food, and then enjoy it while watching the game, listening to the free live music, on the rooftop patio or anywhere they like."
Customers will be able to order and eat in comfort at the Water Street Tavern, or for those on the go, order from the easy-access, fast-service, walk-up window. Call in orders are also an option. "One of the unique aspects of Cajun Dave's will be that the chef will be right there in plain view so if you've got a question about something, just ask and you'll get the answer," said Bower. "We want to provide a people-friendly environment---ask a question and get an answer right from the source." Stop in and see what the new guys in town are cooking up.
###