Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen

Food was very good. Had the shrimp boil with vegetables. Was flavorful and wonderful, VERY buttery. Mint julep left something to be desired, but was strong and boozy so can’t complain too much. Service cordial, no frills. Décor is garish and vaguely racially offensive (see black «fortune teller» doll immediately upon entering-​wow). Giving 3 stars because food is good (the best part of whole experience)

Try the HOT & DIRTY martini!!! Fantastic! !
The atmosphere is intimate and you will always be satisfied.

By far the most fun place I have been to up here. The food is seasoned to perfection and their gumbo is so yummy. The decorations take me back to New Orleans and their collection of hot sauces are impressive.

This really is just a great place to eat. The staff is ON the ball and the food is consistently good. We have one person with Celiac disease in our group and they really cater to her with a solid menu and good kitchen practices to prevent contamination.
This is a must see/​must eat if you are in ER!

This place is very amazing! I went with some family friends and one of my best friends. I got the Southern fried shrimp and the cheesy potatoes. The shrimp was fresh and baked to perfection!
The mashed potatoes were creamy with bacon bits!
I also got amazing banana’s foster! They fire it right in front of you!
Overall this place really felt like I was in New Orleans!

Definitely a fave. Not overrated!!! The best were jalapeño martini and the catfish smothered in crawfish. Rven the brocoli was perfect… whaaat??? I tried the gator bites but meh, not a fan. The texture is too rubbery but glad I tried it! Had the blackberry crumble and the Pearls coffee for dessert. Megan was a great waitress she helped make this a true exerience with her suggestions etc. The menu options never cease to please it’s one surprise delicious flavor after the other. I feel like there’s nothing more I can say that others haven’t already. Except that maybe the cab ride from the Grand Traverse hotel is like $ 45. Each way! However, was totally worth it. Looooved it.

WOW… Found us some Cajun in Elk Rapids. From the Alligator to the Etoufee, Pearl’s Rocks!
Great service and atmosphere. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was the quality of the Sazarac… not very good, and they should be able nail this cocktail. I’ll certainly return.

Heard about this place while on recent visit to see fams in Bellaire. So we piled in the car and went.
Number 1. Served by Deedee, she was outstanding. I don’t give that kind of compliment unless I mean outstanding! Ask for her!
Number 2. The ettoufee HOT was Hotttttt! Jus the way I like it. Drinks and pre meal bread basket was good too. We all had a real nice time and great entrees. Deedee even brought some kind of chocolate fantasy to our table to celebrate bro in laws BD. We’ll be making another visit to Pearls as soon as we can.

I have tried Pearl’s at least a dozen times. I have to get take out usually because I take care of my elderly parents and can’t often leave for dinner out.
My feeling is that their quality control is weak. Sometimes, the shrimp and grits are amazing, and then the next time disappointing. This has happened with several dishes. The one that seems to not ever disappoint is the bronzed shrimp Alfredo.
I spent about $ 60 on two «Specialty» meals two years ago on New year’s eve day, and the pork was so dry it was inedible.
So, all I can say is, dine at your own risk. Sometimes it’s good, infrequently very good, and often disappointing.
I do like their Banana Foster, usually, but again, sometimes it’s great, and sometimes it is only so, so. I wish they would work on quality control, because then you would feel like
you are getting their best effort.

I went to Pearl’s around 10 years ago then recently for brunch. My table ordered shrimp and grits, which was delicious, and the blackened alligator. I had never had alligator before, and it was good. I had the bananas foster French toast. It was okay, the bread wasn’t that special, the actual French toast part could have been way better I think. I really loved the sauce though, and it was cool to see them prepare it next to the table. The mimosa that I had was great. I can’t wait to go back for dinner and try some different things.

New Orleans holds a very special place in my heart! The style of French Cajun food, mixed with super fresh seafood– and the SOUL of the city, with it’s incredible music and history– always gets me. My husband and I even decided to get married there in 2013.
Pearl’s Kitchen encompasses all of that soul and more. The moment you walk in you get this feeling of excitement and happiness. from the crazy cool papier-​mâché giant Mosquitoes hanging from the ceiling– to the beads and icy cups of Hurricane cocktails being swept past you on a tray, to a table of happy folks.
We love their incredible, diverse menu– filled with the very best seafood of the bayou, with touches of local favorites and products.
The Crawfish Corn Chowder is total comfort food… it’s creamy bisque base matches up with the tender chunks of bright pink crawfish, potatoes and is highlighted by sweet corn! They top the little bowl with bacon & scallions for an extra flavor punch! (yes I know I sound like Guy Fieri. I’ll stop, I promise.)
They have fantastic raw and grilled oysters. Oysters Bienville being our favorite. We usually order up a bunch during their fab Happy Hour, alongside their delicious crawfish cakes (topped with this awesome Cajun red sauce!)
Their BBQ shrimp are extremely good… truly comparable to the famous ones served in New Orleans at Mr. B’s Bistro. They serve these sautéed shrimp in this intoxicating sauce. not actual BBQ sauce — but the traditional Worcestershire-​spiked butter sauce, alongside some crunchy baguette to soak it all up!
We love their brunch– and often come for dinner and enjoy a fresh fish entrée. You really can’t go wrong with anything here. I personally will order the Eggs Sardou at brunch, and the Shrimp & Grits during lunch or dinner. It’s really lovely how they serve everything with a basket of fresh baked cornbread & baguette!
Their Happy Hour is banging! They have SUCH GOOD specials for cocktails, beer (ABITA!) and small plates. We love their Cherry ‘ritas and the Pearl’s Moonshine cocktail (it reminds me of a LI Iced Tea. just as potent, gin, vodka, Bacardi Limon & Sprite. Très dangereux!) It’s a super fun environment to get loose in, after a day on the lake or in the office.
As they say in NOLA: Laissez les bon temps roulez!!! (Let the good times roll!)

Last night was Girls Night Out. We met at Pearl’s because I try to get here at least once a year for the Fried Green Tomatoes. Everything was wonderful last night… From the Big Easy Bloody Mary’s and the Strawberry Basil Mohitos to the happy hour Fried Okra and Fried Green Tomatoes and finally the Shrimp and Grits. (My Aunt had the Beef Brisket and she was loving that as well!)
I have to tell you it is only 24 hours later — and a 45 minute drive away — and I am seriously considering going back again for more Shrimp and Grits. I have a budding desire to try new food, so this selection was a first for me… But the flavors were fantastic and buttery. I have never had true grits before so I expected something more «al dente,» but these were perfectly unexpected in my opinion!
Everything is great here, and another review had said the gator was a bit small of a potion — and I would agree, but other than that… LOVE IT!
Also… This was the second time I had Jenn as my waitress (2years ago was the first) and yesterday I almost tipped her every bill I had in my wallet– which usually wouldn’t say much except I had just stopped at the ATM … She is very attentive and during my last visit she spent a lot of time with me helping me decide what I could try. She is a gem and I will ask for her on my next visit which I hope will be very soon!

This is one of the best Cajun/​creole meals we’ve ever had. We had Sunday brunch and loved everything we tried– Cajun Bloody Mary (topped with a crawfish, blue cheese stuffed jalapeño, and okra!) shrimp and grits app, crawfish cakes, and Tasso ham eggs Benedict. It was all delicious and flavorful without being excessively heavy. The service was truly excellent and friendly, and this is a fun place to visit. I really wish we had this restaurant in Seattle!

Our server Jackie was awesome and attentive! NOLA is one of m favorite cities in the U.S. and to come across a gem like this found by Unilocaling restaurants in Elk Landing was a treat!
Too many good choices on the menu Jackie recommended the Fried Green tomato Muffalta– which was what I chose and could not have been happier! The bread was soft and super tasty and the tomatoes were fried to perfection without too much added breading added and the olive salad put the sandwich over the top with flavor! I chose the creole chips to accompy and had a zingy cherry margarita with cherry liquor to wash it down!
Great place with terrific service!

Fabulous! The sampler featuring shrimp on grits… oysters Rockefeller. crab cakes… and Cajun gator! Splendid! My catfish entrée was superb! The service was friendly and timely. I highly recommend Pearl’s! I loved it so much, I bought the shirt in Gator Green!

Very good service and great food. Started with blackened alligator, very tasty and spicy but super small portion. Also got dozen raw oysters, they were clean and perfect. Kids had po boys, gumbo and corn chowder. Chowder was yummy, gumbo a bit spicy. Blackened catfish po boy was fantastic, fried chicken po boy not so much. Wife had cherry pecan salad, kind of meh. We also had a couple Big Easy Bloody Mary’s, very good and spicy. Would definitely go back.

Fantastic food, great atmosphere. We had wonderful time. Our server was wonderful too.
Had the alligator appetizer & the fried oysters on the half shell. They were wonderful. The happy hour is from 3 – 6 and gives you a nice discount on appetizers and drinks
We had the Mahi Mahi bronzed & shrimp étouffée. It’s the real deal! So delish!

Never expected a place like this in northern Michigan, absolutely phenomenal!
Service: from the waitress to busboys, everybody went above and beyond.
Drinks: my ginger fizz was delicious
Apps: buffalo oysters– a table favorite, fried tomatoes– light and tasty, and the crawfish cakes were also very good.
Dinner: I think I tasted all the dinners and my crawfish enchiladas were by far the best! Creamy, savory, amazing! Once my hubby tasted them I had to fight him off for the rest.

Seriously good food!!! I loved this place, I can’t wait to go back. The staff were super friendly and the food was a nice change of pace.
The place is pretty packed and it’s bustling inside, you probably aren’t going to have a quiet low key dinner here but you’ll enjoy yourself.
We went with a large group, 12 or so, and the service was great and every thing came out together and done right the first time.
I dig Cajun, this isn’t exactly «real» Cajun, but it’s good enough for me in Northern MI

Um, Cajun in Michigan? Good Cajun in Michigan?! IT CAN’T BE TRUE!!! But alas my friends, this place is about as good as it comes! We arrived early on a Saturday eve and the place was already packed! While we were waiting for a table, we grabbed a spot outside and got our cocktails on! Hurricanes, yes. Mint Julep, yes. Alcohol, yes. Gah!
When we finally got sat, our waitress was incredible. Some of the best service I’ve ever had, anywhere! We started with the fried green tomatoes, which were crunchy and served with this Cajun sauce. Git you some. For dinner, I had the shrimp étouffée, because why not?! MP got the BBQ shrimp, because again, why not? Pops got the Jambalaya and MIL got the fried chicken. We were all extremely happy with our meals. Hardly any leftovers! The drinks are also stiff, which I love. :-)
I can’t really elaborate anymore how much this place rules! The walls are lined with all sorts of bottles of hot sauces, beads, historical pictures! The bathroom murals are hilarious! The bartender station is busy and loud! Lots of huge families chowing down on delicious food and servers that can’t stop, won’t stop! Ha!
Seriously, if you guys are in Elk Rapids and have not been here, you need to go now. I’ve been to NOLA a ton of times and I live in Texas, this was some of the best I’ve had!
«Laissez les bons temps rouler»! In Michigan.