There is nothing better than being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras but for those who cannot be in the Big Easy this Tuesday, Feb. 28, we have found some very worthy substitutes:
Service Bar DC will be kicking off a new rotating regional cocktail menu program on Mardi Gras starting at 5 p.m.. And the first stop on the new menu is the home of Mardi Gras and birthplace of Jazz: New Orleans. The menu will feature specific spirits and beverages that make up the Big Easy’s drink culture. Visitors will get to experience SBDC’s take on staples such as the Sazerac, Vieux Carre and Ramos Gin Fizze, as well as house creations like the Peychaud’s Sour and Holy Trinity. In addition, SBDC will be highlighting popular dishes and fare that New Orleans is known for such as dirty rice, spicy vegetarian gumbo, and beignets. The focus on New Orleans will last two months before the region changes.
Ranked among the top bars in America, The The Willard InterContinental’s Round Robin Bar is bringing a taste of Bourbon Street to Pennsylvania Avenue for Mardi Gras. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. it will be hosting a Mardi Gras Happy Hour with specially priced cocktails including Sazerac, Brandy Milk Punch, Vieux Carre, Hurricane, and Bayou Bloody Mary; and food including mini shrimp po boys, grilled oysters, and roasted alligator wings. There will also be live music to really get the party going.
Grilled Oyster Company is celebrating Mardi Gras at both of its locations by offering a special combo deal: an oyster po’boy packed with fried oysters, cucumber relish, and topped with spicy Buffalo sauce with either an Abita Purple Haze draft or the restaurant’s Bourbon Street Fizz cocktail (tequila, blackberry puree, agave, and Brut champagne). The pairing is only $20.
It is no surprise that the New Orleans style cocktail bar Vieux Carre is hosting a Mardi Gras celebration. Its doors will open at 6 p.m. and guests will be able to enjoy a menu of fried oysters, shrimp and catfish fingers, and po’ boys — including a new po’ boy lobster roll. There will also be special Bourbon Street frozen Hurricane and Zombie cocktails available. Vieux Carre will also be passing out lots of Mardi Gras favors. Complimentary tickets are available here: www.eventnation.co/event/VCMardiGras2017.
To celebrate Mardi Gras, La Côte d’Or Café’s chef-owner Jacques Imperato will feature New Orleans specials à la carte for lunch and as a three-course prix fixe for dinner. Lunch items include crayfish chowder, mufuletta sandwich, fried oysters, and Creole shrimp devil eggs. The dinner option is $38 per person and includes a start, entree (Louisiana chicken gumbo, breaded catfish with pecan sautéed caper butter sauce, or shrimp and andouille jambalaya), and dessert.
Soapstone Market is offering a Cajun inspired buffet for Mardi Gras. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. a buffet will be stocked with vegetarian jambalaya, chicken andouille gumbo, assorted po’ boys, jalapeno cheese grits, crawfish corn cakes, dirty rice, red beans and rice, and cornbread. There will also be traditional King Cake prepared by executive pastry chef Huw Griffith, a Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington “Pastry Chef of the Year” honoree. The buffet is priced at $30 and include two drinks. Tickets are can be pre-purchased at: www.eventbrite.com/e/soapstone-market-mardi-gras-party-van-ness-dc-tickets.
