Cactus Club Cafe

This restaurant is a BC/AB chain inspired by Canada's only Iron Chef Rob Feenie. *see update below

 Tuna Tataki- Normally I'm a bit sketchy to try seared tuna from places other than Japanese restaurants, or any restaurant in HI, however this place proved me wrong.  This is seared albacore tuna on top of green papaya slaw, orange, avocado, topped with yuzu vinaigrette.  The seared outer layer tastes a bit like pesto and the vinaigrette fruit combo was pretty delectable.  

 

Yam fries with garlic aioli.  The aioli is fantastic, the fries were okay, not fresh cut, the kind you buy in bulk and then deep fry.  Still edible but probably wouldn't order again.

 

Blackened Creole Chicken on a bed of asparagus and mashed potatoes- crispy and spicy. My friend ordered this one as well as one to go.  It's that good!

 

To continue the New Orleans flair: The Jambalaya rice bowl – shrimp, chicken, cured bacon, sausage, vegetables, spicy tomato sauce, black bean salsa, crème fraiche.

 

While the decor of the restaurant is very modern, kinda reminds me a bit of Moxie's/Earl's type of dark interior, however they have quite a few random, how shall we say? Asian inspiration mixed with some type of renaissance painting and neon light signs?  It definitely makes it more interesting, but not really sure what kind of theme the restaurant is going for.  Friggy diggy, no doubt!

* Update: Here are the butternut squash ravioli with shrimp appetizers, and again that creole chicken that makes me want to go to New Orleans or "N'awleans"