Celtic Bayou

My wife and I recently returned from a trip to New Orleans where we experienced some fantastic (authentic) Cajun cuisine. Yearning for some good red beans and rice, we picked up a couple of orders to go from the Lynnwood location and took them home anticipating a culinary re-run of our trip. We were sadly disappointed. The food was so over-spiced we could not eat it. The tiny bits of meat did not compare to the huge hunks of sausage normally served in that dish. I spent 45 minutes trying to get through to the restaurant and could not. I eventually spoke with the manager who was supposed to taste the food and get back to me. The food is not authentic cajun cuisine by any stretch of the imagination and not worth your time or money. I am going to take issue with someone who said "C'mon it's CAJUN it supposed to be spicy." The food in New Orleans, authentic food that is, is NOT heavily spiced. I lived in New Orleans for a number of years and just returned from a visit there last week (and yes I did have Red Beans and Rice and many other things). This food is NOT authentic according to anything I have ever eaten down there. Additionally, when I asked for my money back, I was refused. The customer service provided to dissatisfied customers is very poor. I have played phone tag with them for nearly a week and finally was told only today (abruptly) that I could not get a refund. Unless you like bad customer service and your food spiced up like molten lava, stay away from this place. more

This used to be the place to go on the East Side for a good selection of well treated beer. I was there on a Saturday night with a few other people (and it was really quite so maybe the word is getting out). We all ordered meals and drinks. The beer list didn't look all that exciting so went with a standard easy-drinking Manny's Pale Ale. Unfortunately the keg was off and the beer had a vinegar flavor. I barely had even a full sip before kindly letting the waiter know. He was very apologetic but stated that the policy is once you try it, you can't send it back. REALLY??? Asked to talk to the manager and they stood by this absolutely ridiculous policy. We obviously canceled the remaining drinks and food orders and walked out. I'm absolutely floored by this horrific customer service! more

The plaza is really hard to access, tucked away right by the 520 freeway ramp and in the same plaza as 7-11. Cops often pull people. Good nice little pub though. Not a place where I'd just swing by, but would definitely be something more intentional to go there. more

This is definitely an interesting mix. The Cajun food sure is tasty - their gumbo is pretty good, as is the catfish. Great selection of beers. Friendly service. more

The atmosphere is amazing with friendly service and fun customers from the guy just off work to a family dinner. The diverse food selection includes Cajun, Northwest and traditional Irish recipes. That's all before an extraordinary assortment of ever-changing Draughts ranging from Irish taps to local micro brews. Great for lunch, dinner, or a beer with friends at night. more

The food is great, the only thing lacking is the service. If you need to fit a lunch date into 1 hour, this isn't the place for you. But if you want a long lunch with very few interruptions from the staff, it will be the perfect spot! more

While it may seem odd to combine Irish food with Cajun, the two fit naturally together. It's yin and yang. And so is the restaurant. During busy lunches or peak periods, parking can be horrible. Service is friendly but I have found there is a 50/50 chance they'll just forget about you. Those problems aside, the food (both Irish and Cajun) offers a generous helping and is quite good. For business meetings, the booths are large and the tables are wide. Or if you like a more cozy environment, help yourself to the pub style seating deeper in the restaurant. more

Definitely more of a pub feel here. Dark with a bar, and the menu is mediocre, but the beer selection is good...Goes back to that pub thing! Not much seating, and the food was also on the mediocre here. I couldn't get very excited over it, but I'm sure some will. Parking is difficult in the small lot with very small spaces, so watch out during busy times. more

Celtic Bayou is a bit Irish pub with a touch of Cajun café and a lot Beer from Ireland to Seattle Micro Brews. Food is good with such fare as Bangers and Mash, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Beer Batter Fish, Black Pool Irish Stew, Catfish and the list goes on. Kids eat free on Saturday and Sunday. However, if you go on a weekday for dinner have lots of money and lots of time. They can forget you're there. Great date place on the weekends since there is some cool live music that matches the Celtic/Cajun mood. Parking is a challenge in the very small shared parking lot. more

When I lived on the eastside, this was definitely one of the only gathering places that most people could agree on. They brew their own beer and have pretty good food. What's not to like? The do allow smoking on the back patio, but the restaurant is smoke free. IF you go there around 5-6pm on a weekday, its typically packed with a lot of people just off of work (many of which are from MS), but I think they have a good happy hour in that timeframe as well. If memory serves me right, its cheap beer and appetizers... more

Check out the Celtic Bayou for a great happy hour and a good crowd of people. Located in Redmond, the CB was started by a few ex-Microsoft employees. Don't let this taint your impression though. Far from being a bland, corporate bar the CB has a lively, easy-going atmosphere. There's a nice bar area, booths if you want to grab some eats with friends, and an outdoor section to enjoy any good weather. If the initial thought of combining Cajun and Irish cuisine doesn't sound that great, please reconsider. The CB has some good eats to fill you up as you put back a few pints. A few of those pints may even be the local brews the CB loves to serve up. Speaking of which, you'll notice the regulars of the bar by the personal beer mugs the CB keeps for them. If you're looking to check out a new bar or happy hour in the Redmond area give the CB a shot. more

A great place to go with the team after a ball game. Expect to find home-brewed beer, and minimal if any "national" brands. Smoke-free, and happy hour is all day long on Tuesday. more