Loved Every Minute
I recently found Cayenne Moon and found that everything from the food to the service was incredible. I have never felt so special and personally taken care of by the servers to the management. We tried the steak, shrimp and crabcakes and the tastes were all unbelievable. I hope that more people are able to find their way downtown to try this truly fantastic restaurant.

We'll be back soon!!!    [15 Mar 2004 23:38:42]

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Recommended Dishes: Crabcakes, Bread Pudding

     ­Anonymous   

John & Claudia
Let me say this restaurant is truly wonderful. The only problem we had was that we couldn't hold all the food they brought. The crab cakes and sauce are among the top seafood items I've ever eaten. They're fresh, truly made with all lump crab, hardly any fillers and just fabulous. Everything we tried was delicious. Service was also excellent and they were quite busy the evening we were there. I would certainly recommend Cayenne Moon to anyone looking for a lovely evening in downtown Memphis.    [23 Apr 2004 12:56:21]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Crabcakes, Crabcakes, Crabcakes

     ­Anonymous   

READ THIS BEFORE EATING AT CAYENNE MOON
After reading Internet buzz on Cayenne Moon, my wife and I tried it tonight. The food is solid but not at the high level of cooking I'd expected based on what I'd read.

The restaurant ambience is reminiscent of New Orleans but the decor is rather tired looking, apparently a hangover from the building's previous incarnation as Cafe Roux. (Don't get me started on the bathrooms!)

Fried green tomatoes with Remoulade sauce were nicely
done as an appetizer, spicy (although
tasting as much like an onion ring as FGT. The biggest disappointment was the crabcakes that my wife ordered as an entree. Although the customer reviews on the website (where did these come from, BTW?) were over the moon on the CC's, my wife's were mediocre, hardly worthy as a
signature dish or sale over the Internet as their website offers. While the photos on the website look choc-a-bloc full of crab, hers had substantial portions of breadcrumb
filling between the lump crabmeat. To me a good crabcake should be on the edge of falling apart, reflecting the lack of breadcrumb biinder. True, they were very large but I'd prefered a smaller size with unadulterated crabmeat. As luck would have it, we had lunched the same day a Yia-Yia in Germantown and the crabcake appetizer there was smaller, but far superior. I had the rib and BBQ shrimp combo at Cayenne Moon. The ribs were a dry rub, nicely smoked but a bit chewier than I'd prefer. The shrimp were small but tasty, blackened spices and buttery at the same time. The highlight of the meal turned out to be the sides: smoked black-eyed peas, sweet potato fritters, and the "lucky voodo" greens. All were nicely turned out, reflecting good seasoning. To their credit, after we commented on the crabcakes, they took them off our bill. I'd have preferred to have paid and had the authentic item.

The restaurant was slow on a very busy night in Memphis. Service was friendly and effective.

All in all, this was a case of very high expectations not being met. Had I wandered off the street by chance, I'd think it a good, though not great, restaurant. Given the very high customer comments on the website and in other forums, we came away underwhelmed and somewhat disappointed. Frankly, I'm wondering if all of the customer comments (as well as the mention in the Epicurious website) are authentic or ghost-written by a resourceful owner to generate the very buzz that brought me to their doors in the first place.    [26 Sep 2004 12:37:59]

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     ­Anonymous   

From Chicago with Love
Ok, coming from the Midwest I am certain that some people will argue that I don't know a thing about New Orleans/Cajun/Southern Louisiana cuisine and I would have to grant them that. I do know what I like though and I have dined at places costing four times as much and was not nearly impressed. If you are looking for a lot of aesthetic polish and flash, then Cayenne Moon might not be for you. However, if you appreciate fabulous food in an understated yet engaging atmosphere this is the place.

We were in Memphis for a conference and friends of ours from the east coast came in to see as they had spent some extended time in Memphis the year before. They fell across this gem of a restaurant and made it a regular, often going at least twice a week. Since they had been regulars some might argue that we received some extra attention and I can't comment on that. All I can say is that the service was great, filled with what I would call that southern hospitality everyone hears about. Some might also be put off by the fact that they only carry beer if you want a drink (alcoholic), especially if you walk in off of Beale Street not expecting it. You can however do the old B.Y.O.B. routine and there are no restrictions...wine to whiskey, they will pour what you bring.

Now for the food. We were in Memphis for three days and ate at Cayenne Moon for two of them (the third, Sunday, they were closed). Given a party of six both nights we had ordered at least ten of their dinner entrees (some of us ordered halves and doubled up...ettoufe and jambalaya for example) and I think almost all of their appetizers. The first night for desert we only ordered the Key Lime pie and the bread pudding. The second night we were suprised by the addition of a chocolate torte/cake that they added to our order. So you can see, we tried a wide variety of what they have to offer.

In my opinion, nothing sagged remotely close to average. Everyhing was wonderful. The balance of spices was always spot on, not too spicy yet retaining plenty of character. The first night I had the 20oz steak and the second night I ordered halves of the crawfish ettoufe and jambalaya. The steak was great, prepared just as I ordered. I usually salt or add sauce to my meat to give it some character but this was completely unnecessary. It was very tender and wonderfully seasoned but I can't tell you with what. I did not pay attention what the menu said about it, I just went on the recommendation from our server...kudos to the server! The jambalaya was excellent as well but it is the crawfish ettoufe that I will be calling back to have Fedex'd to Chicago. Simply out of this world. I actually ordered a second half order so I could have some on Sunday while they were closed.

The desserts are heavenly. The key lime pie is superb, the perfect balance of tart and sweet with a soft creamy texture. The bread pudding is one of the best I have ever had...and I get bread pudding whenever, wherever I can. This one is a little more subjective because there are many ways to prepare this one. I do not like, and it did not have raisins...big plus for me. The consistency is almost custard-like but not that moist (I dislike dry bread pudding). Again, not so sweet as to have you grasping for water or cappuccino (I don't think they have cap's but don't trust me on that one) but yet delicious and satisfying. The chocolate torte/cake they gave us the second night is a chocolate lover's heaven. Do not be fooled by it's diminutive size (relative to the half a brick of bread pudding) it is startlingly rich and the dark chocolate flavor is almost overwhelming...in a good way.

All this said, I would like to respond to the closing statement made by "READ THIS BEFORE EATING..." The reviews are real. We personally know or heard about the people who have submitted reviews. After meeting and speaking with the owners, they are not the type of people who would practice to manipulate their cliental as a one time patron does not make a successful business. Excellent food and a warm friendly atmosphere make for success and Cayenne Moon has both in abundance.    [14 Oct 2004 15:43:14]

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     ­Dave   

NO READ THIS....FIRST
The ambiance is speaks volumes of comfort and tranquilty. The service is beyond superb. The food is more than delicious, more like ambrosia. The chef deserves two thums up for the crabcakes, bread pudding, and gumbo. There was no spice or flavor that overwhlemed each other. You are able to detect everything utlized in the recipe to make your entree or desert marvelous. Again, two thumbs and a snap to CAYENNE MOON.    [05 Nov 2004 14:16:17]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: CRABCAKES, BREAD PUDDING, GUMBO

     ­L. THOMAS   

A local treasure!
My wife and I came to Memphis from Washington, D.C., in October 2003 for a five-month stint. We learned about Cayenne Moon from one of my wife’s work associates and tried it out. We quickly came to add this to the list of our all-time favorites. Never once did we have anything less than an excellent experience. By the time we left Memphis we were going to Cayenne Moon every week, and often twice a week.

We cannot say enough about the food. The New Orleans style cuisine is some of the best we've had. In fact, Cayenne Moon managed to dislodge a restaurant we like in New Orleans as having our favorite bread pudding. All of the appetizers are delicious, but the crab cakes are phenomenal (and are served as an entrée as well). Our favorite entrees are the Jambalaya, blackened rib eye, Cajun pork tenderloin, and large raviolis stuffed with crawfish and andouille sausage. But they also keep the menu fresh and change items occasionally. That’s the mark of a good restaurant. The food can never disappoint.

What about the service? We always found the service and servers, as well as Polly and Larry, to be the best. We always left there feeling like we were the most appreciated people in the city. On our last evening in Memphis before moving back to D.C., they served up a feast for us. It was more than two human beings could consume in one evening. And after it was over, they told us the meal was on them. (We vigorously protested, as we took almost as much food home as we ate!) When we had out-of-town guests, we took them there, and they always raved about the place. We have referred strangers to the restaurant, even after returning to D.C. Last summer I struck up a conversation with a shuttle bus driver who told me he was making a trip to Memphis to visit close friends. I recommended Cayenne Moon to him and guaranteed him that it would be an experience he wouldn’t forget. I next saw him about a month ago and asked him about his trip. He said that he took his friends there on his final evening, and it capped a perfect trip. He and his guest loved it.

We have visited Memphis twice since moving away, and Cayenne Moon was a destination both times. In fact, on our last visit we met up with four friends from D.C. and Chicago and took them to Cayenne Moon the first night. They loved it and asked if we could go back on the next night. (We did.) With all of the variety and choices of places to eat in Memphis -- and with only three nights in town -- that says a lot. As for prices, we have found Cayenne Moon to be a terrific value, especially comparing it to restaurants in Washington, DC. The décor is charming and feels authentic. The music is a little eclectic, making it fun. Their location on Front Street is only a few blocks from Beale Street, but far enough away to be free of the touristy influence. If you’ve been to New Orleans, it evokes that feeling of one of those finds that’s “off Bourbon Street,” nestled away on a quiet, less-traveled street. So, after nearly a year of my initial review, the jury is still in: Cayenne Moon is one of the best restaurants in Memphis and remains our favorite. Take that special bottle of wine with you (there’s no corking fee!) and treat yourself to a special experience. You won’t forget it, and you’ll be back.    [15 Nov 2004 08:55:58]

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Recommended Dishes: Crab cakes, blackened rib eye

     ­Terry Carter   

OUR FAVORITE MEMPHIS RESTAURANT!
Cayenne Moon is definitely our favorite restaurant in Memphis, actually our favorite restaurant period. Every dish we have ever ordered there is nothing but wonderful, and that says alot seeing as though we have eaten there over 20 times. Polly is so pleasant and makes you feel as though you are joining her in her own home for dinner. We highly recommend this restaurant.    [15 Feb 2007 11:55:30]

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Recommended Dishes: stuffed jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, gumbo, mashed potatoes!

     ­Tara & Rusty