News & Observer food critic Greg Cox says: The atmosphere at this downtown Raleigh restaurant and bar lives up to its name, with exposed brick walls, wrought iron balcony railing and a haze of cigarette smoke. The menu ñ a mix of Cajun/Creole and American fare ñ sometimes lives up to the billing, too. Winning options include muffuletta, saucy crawtails, red beans and rice, gumbo, and bananas Foster bread pudding. Lunch and dinner daily (open nightly until 2am)
Official site: http://www.myspace.com/thebigeasyraleigh
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The Big Easy's rendition of the Cajun staple red beans and rice is a toothsome delight, available as a side dish or as an entree loaded with smoky slices of andouille sausage. And an appetizer called "saucy crawtails," which serves up a pile of the briny-sweet critters in a spicy red sauce, is so good you'll be tempted to order more and call it an entree. (Full review)