For the record, this post has been a back log for a month already! Whoa. What this implies is that I’m totally not excited to report my review on this restaurant — Cajun Red Rock, in particular. The food simply failed to rock my world.
If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you probably know by now that I’m not a fan of pasta and all the more, meaty dishes. So when pasta and meat are combined together, I’m like 95% sure that disaster would be gushing right through my door. But since Louie is fond of eating these food, I thought it was okay to give them a try.
Review of Cajun Red Rock (SM Megamall Megastrip B, Mandaluyong)
Ambiance: ★★★☆☆
The first branch of Cajun Red Rock was only a burger joint in Glorietta built in 2000. After receiving positive responses and warm accolade from customers, the owners were inspired to open a restaurant in SM MegaMall from a garage in Retiro.
Cajun Red Rock is a family restaurant with a New Orleans setup. The walls are decorated with pictures and stuff related to New Orleans. The place seemed casual but what I didn’t like was that everyone can see you eating inside or outside and there’s no sense of privacy.
The interior design is kept simple — not anything special or unusual, not breathtaking. It’s a restaurant theme that’s not bold but one that you won’t get tired of. It’s not the kind that takes your breath away but one that makes you breathe.
Service: ★★★☆☆
Because the restaurant’s interior area is shaped like an L with the counter and most of the servers positioned at the “|” side and not both the “|” and “_” sides, calling servers’ attention was hard for diners like us who were seated at the “_” side. Some waiters were also attending and serving requests of those outside. So it was too tempting to just stand up and walk to them instead of raising a hand till the cows come home. Overall, service was mediocre in this branch.
Food: ★★☆☆☆
Louie ordered Cajun Bourbon Ribs (PHp 360) and Creole Chicken Pasta (PHp 250) for us. I can’t remember how he made me say yes to these two.
While waiting for our orders, we were given a small bowl of popcorn to munch on. The popcorn was bland and it needed pinches of salt badly. It was not a fun starter. I also thought it was not fresh as some flattened between my teeth into a stale, impenetrable pancake.
Onto our actual orders, first up was the Cajun Bourbon Ribs. Presentation-wise, this signature dish was noteworthy. We saw other customers having the same on their tables. The food was meticulously prepared and done, even reaching to a point where it assuaged some remorse over getting this “carnivorous” plate. Taste-wise, I felt the remorse back. 🙁
Much force and effort was required to slice through even a small portion of this age-old house tradition grilled back ribs. I didn’t think that it was tender or juicy. The bourbon sauce, on the other hand, was strong and unique. It gave life to the slow simmered ribs that were, to me, not well formed. The saffron rice and the sweet potato mojos tasted fine. They were neither overwhelming nor getting lost in the other flavor.
Next came Cajun’s Creole Chicken Pasta which was full of tomatoes and red and green bell peppers. Served with crisp chicken strips, this other signature dish had a lick of heavy cream on it. The pasta provided a chewy texture against the smooth sauce with a hit of cheese amid it all. It was not better than any pasta I’ve tried but it was okay.
Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆
I hate to say this but honestly I didn’t enjoy eating at Cajun’s Red Rock, as mentioned in the intro. The food was not likeable but maybe I’m really not the best to rate this restaurant or their food after all because my taste buds are pretty different from the majority of people who are used to eating meat.
Cajun Red Rock was packed with diners that day, and this showed how their food are much appreciated. We’ll see about that in another time when I get to sample their seafood entrees on the menu. For now at least, I give 2/5 stars for what our cash had been worth.
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Other branches:
Level 4, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City
Contact number: (02) 4709961, +63922 8791315
108, N.S. Amoranto Street, Santo Domingo, Quezon City
Contact number: (02) 4152605
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