Posts Tagged ‘Fat Tuesday’
More Than Beads: Mardi Gras Celebrations in NoVA
Posted by Joey Hernandez / Thursday, February 16th, 2012
So you got chocolate-wasted on Valentine’s Day, now it’s time to pack in the pancakes. (Yes, drunkenness isn’t the only Fat Tuesday tradition.)
Sad as it is, this girl has never quite made it to Bourbon Street for the real deal of Mardi Gras. But, if you are anything like me, geography will not stop you from embracing this beads-and-boobs holiday.
Eat, celebrate and parade throughout town:
Barnside Diner, to satisfy your pancake cravings any time of the day.
Stroll through the streets of Arlington to Bayou Bakery for a total New Orleans take over: Multiple specials on food, drink, and yes, free oysters.
Chomp down on rabbit, alligator, andouille sausage and catfish Gumbo ($12) at Jackson 20, while listening to live jazz from the Dixie Power Trio.
Parade freely to the beat of marching bands and beads with the Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade.
Loudon County hosts the 8th Annual Mardi Gras Carnival in Loudon County with games and music for the tots and raffles and auctions for the parents. Children age 2 years and older $5 and adults $1.
Photo: Shutterstock/MikeFlippo
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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)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Image: Cajun Grocer
Mardi Gras. Carnival. Fat Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Day.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s time to participate in some serious celebrating at local restaurants.
-Throw on the party beads and eat your King Cake at 2941. In honor of Mardi Gras, all diners will receive a complimentary King Cake today, regardless if you order off the prix-fixe four-course menu or a la carte.
-Fat Tuesday’s will have several bands performing throughout the evening, starting at 3 p.m.
-Clyde’s at Mark Center will have their annual Mardi Gras party featuring live music starting at 6 p.m. For $25 enjoy an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil with corn, potatoes and andouille sausage.
-Buzz will have King Cakes all day.
-The 2nd Annual Mardi Gras on King Street will take place at the Fish Market. Celebrate five days of Mardi Gras with traditional New Orleans style cuisine and cocktails. The festivities begin tonight with music by DC Motors and end with a masquerade ball on Saturday, February 20. There will be a charity bead toss and Mardi Gras Masks available to benefit Multiple Sclerosis.
-King Street Blues will offer “Cajun Specials” all day, including several po’boy varieties, jambalaya pasta and red beans.
-Try one of Trummer’s on Main’s signature cocktails from New Orleans, Brazil and Italy. Don’t forget to wear your masks, costumes or beads for 25 percent off special cocktails, beer and wine.
-Join Okra’s Louisiana Bistro for their annual Mardi Gras pub crawl and Cajun cuisine.
-Liberty Tavern will have $4 Abita Purple Haze and $5 Hurricanes all day long.
- Union Jacks will host a Mardi Gras Bash tonight. Collect the most beads and you can win a trip to the Caribbean. Their Creole menu includes shrimp po’boys, etouffee, and bananas foster. The celebration begins at 4 p.m.
-Learn to make classic New Orleans dishes at Open Kitchen. The menu includes crawfish etouffee and seafood and andouille sausage gumbo. $75; 7-10 p.m.
-On Wednesday, February 17, Chef Roberto Donna will host a six-course ‘Il Carnavale’ Dinner at his private residence. The menu includes stuffed lamb chops with braised chicory and Piemontese style rice fritters in parmesan cheese sauce. $100 per person. Email tambolisa1@aol.com to make a reservation.
-On Saturday, Feb 20 Sunset Hill Vineyards celebrates Mardi Gras with a special Cajun menu and live music by the Yvonne Johnson Jazz Trip from 12-6 p.m. Don’t forget to wear your purple, gold, and green!
-IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day on February 23 this year from 7 a.m.- 10 p.m. Guests will receive a short stack of pancakes for free. While you’re there, help others by donating to the Children’s Miracle Network or other local charities.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!