Let The Good Times Roll

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

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 2^nd 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!

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