This year has not been a good one in Clarksdale as far as restaurants, so those attending the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival actually had to venture out of town a ways if they wanted an upscale dining experience. I decided to try Crawdad’s in Merigold, a place that was recommended by the Delta Bohemian website. The little town of Merigold, in Bolivar County, is probably best-known for being the home of McCarty’s Pottery, which is world-famous and made from the unique clays of the Mississippi Delta. It is also the home of Po’ Monkey’s Juke Joint on the outskirts of town. But Crawdad’s, nearly a block long, is the center of attention on weekend nights in Merigold. The menu consists of steaks and seafood, and there is a bar and a stage where live music takes place. The inside ambiance is largely that of a hunting lodge, with various ducks, deer heads and even raccoons on the walls. I ordered the 8-ounce bacon-wrapped filet mignon, and was pleased. It was charcoal broiled, and had been prepared with what tasted like a fruit-based marinade. Prices are a little steep perhaps by Delta standards, but of course it is an upscale dining experience, and worth checking out.