Mardi Gras Merriment
Posted by ryan / Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
Fat Tuesday falls on March 8 this year, which means that Easter Sunday is April 24. If you plan on giving up something for Lent, I highly recommend allowing yourself to live it up beforehand. One doesn’t necessarily have to travel to find the perfect excuse to celebrate. New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro may host the most enthusiastic festivals, but a great time can certainly be had in this Metropolitan area too.
Restaurants and bars across the region are in preparation mode as we speak. Special menus and drink deals have been planned in commemoration of the upcoming holiday. Everyone’s more than welcome to join in on the fun!
The award for the bar with the most appropriate name goes to Fat Tuesday’s of Fairfax, where it’s Mardi Gras all year long! Naturally, they specialize in the Cajun and Creole style of cooking. Oysters, shrimp, crawfish, catfish, gumbo, and po’ boy sandwiches make up the majority of the menu. Conveniently located near the campus of George Mason, you’re sure to have a great time at its annual blowout. Crazy costumes are encouraged!
The annual parade party in Clarendon will take place at the Bayou Bakery, also aptly named. Specialty dishes are available specifically for the occasion. Beginning this Friday (Feb. 25), the bakery will start selling its famous King Cakes. The delicious pastry is laced with cinnamon and topped with colorful powdered sugar. One tiny plastic baby is hidden inside. If you just so happen to get this piece, tradition states that you are the “King of the Day.” The real party begins on March 8 at 5 p.m. Hot plates like Shrimp Creole will probably be a hot commodity too. For more information, call 703-243-2410.
For those of you who love to eat, Jackson 20 of Old Town Alexandria will be hosting a “party” of its own at 7 p.m. Chefs Dennis Marron and Brian Turowski have a four-course meal in mind, featuring classics from the Bayou. Fried oysters, cajun mac n’ cheese, shrimp po’ boys, beignets, among other things are well-worth looking forward to. Dave Wilson of the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco will be in attendance to suggest the perfect pairings, which include a strong line-up of his uniquely crafted brews. He’s also expected to lead a lively discussion about the merits of the combination of beer with food. The cost is $65 per person. For reservations or more information, call 703-842-2790.
The Evening Star Cafe of Del Ray is planning a shindig of its own on Sunday March 6 at noon. Tents will be set up in the parking lot for the Carnival-style block party, so it’s going to happen rain or shine. Feel free to bring your children, it should be a lot of fun for the entire family. Plenty of the appropriate kind of food and beer will be available for purchase, but admission is free. The beads, masks and feathers are also free. The party moves indoors to the lounge at 6 p.m. Live music and drink specials are promised for those who want to stick around.
The Big Easy is overrated anyway, NoVA is the place to be!
-Ryan Robertson
(image: Free Code Source)
Tags: 21st Amendment, Alexandria, Bayou Bakery, Clarendon, Fairfax, Fat Tuesday, Gut Check, Jackson 20, Mardi Gras