104 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Black Diamond Oyster Bar C’est Bon During the first half of 2017 folks in Flour Bluff and from Padre Island kept their eye on the revitalization of the prominent but somewhat dubious restaurant location on SPID just north of Waldron Rd. Curiosity turned to delight when C’est Bon opened its doors during the summer, and for many, answers the question of what Country Cajun cooking is all about—and it’s not what most of us Texans might think of. This food is wholly founded on the ecosystem of Southern Louisiana, and generations of life on the bayou. The friendly couple who own C’est Bon live there, where they operate craw- fish and other farming businesses, and the freshness and quality show throughout the menu. Your perspec- tive on seafood gumbo will change for good once you try theirs, and this is one of the few places left in the Coastal Bend where you can find authentic, properly blackened redfish—try it topped with crawfish etouffee and your night will be made! By all means, order the Boudin—this is real Cajun country sausage, battered and quick fried. We suggest the ones filled with pepper jack cheese. 10210 S. Padre Island Dr. • (361) 353- 4089 • CestBonSeafood.com • $$$ Staples Street Meat Market Chefs and competitive cooks from across South Texas know where to find the best products that meet a high standard that can be trusted, and that is Staples Street Meats on the far south side of Corpus Christi. Here you will find Certified Angus Beef, the real deal, sold in every cut, from the best Choice to real USDA Prime—and at prices that meet or beat supermarkets every day of the week. Stake you claim as the barbecue king and pick up an Angus or Wagyu beef brisket—this is the meat that earned one local competitive cooking team“#1 Brisket”with a perfect score, and“#6 Overall” awards at the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama, just last year! Browse the extensive selection of spices and rubs in the well-stocked grocery market, and ask about smoked briskets, prime rib and other products cooked on-site. 7626 S. Staples St. (361) 561-4111 • StaplesStreetMeats.com Bourbon Street Candy Company Everybody loves candy and this family owned shop lo- cated in La Palmera Mall has something for every taste! Kids of all ages enjoy the wide variety of classics and fa- vorite chocolates, hard candies, toffee, fudge and even sugar free selections including dark chocolate almond bark that will make you forget about sugar altogether. Party planners from across the Coastal Bend head to Bourbon Street Candy for the best gift baskets and party favors. 5488 S. Padre Island Dr. in La Palmera Mall, upstairs next to Dillard’s • (361) 985-6077 Black Diamond Oyster Bar This reviewer remembers his first time eating at the Black Diamond in around 1975, at its original location at Gollihar and Airline Roads. It had been open for just seven years at that point, but had made its name as the best place in town for awesome Texas seafood at a price you could afford. Fifty years later, this family owned sea- food house has made its name once again, now tucked away on NAS Drive in Flour Bluff. This kid’s favorite was always jumbo fried shrimp, and here it is prepared perfectly every time, as are the fried oysters, grilled fish, steaks and as well a number of highly creative menu selections that might not be expected. Try the crab stuffed flounder or the Ahi tuna burger for a delicious meal you will not soon forget. 418 N.A.S. Drive in Flour Bluff Dr. • (361) 353-4210 • $$$ C’est Bon