Mardi Gras!!!

I'm leavin the hubby at home and headin down to the Big Easy!!! I am finding that alot of restaurants just close down for the week. Also, the crowds will be nuts at places like Acme. So I'm open to new ideas...I'll be staying in the Business District for the first time, on the 300 block of Poydras to avoid the fray. I guess I'll be near Mothers...don't know what else is there...

Any word on closings?
Any other places I should eat in that 'hood?
Anyone been to the new Brennan restaurant at the Loewes?
Any random Mardi Gras advice??

OOHH Lawdy!!! There goes the Mardi Gras!! Wait a minute, aren't you supposed to take hubby along to celebrate the anniversary??

It's not our anniversary until May. This is a girl's night out.

My Mardi Gras advice: unless you're a big fan of both public urination and strange men drunkenly grabbing at The Girls, rent a car and get the hell out of New Orleans. Head west to Lafayette for their parade, which is actually on Monday night, then spend the day proper in Houma or Eunice. Better food, local crowds, better music, more fun.

I'm not anti-New Orleans, but every single person I have ever known who has gone there for Mardi Gras has come back saying "You know, I really expected that to be more fun and less disgusting than it actually was." I blame the frat boys.

quote:

Originally posted by Lucky Bishop

My Mardi Gras advice: unless you're a big fan of both public urination and strange men drunkenly grabbing at The Girls, rent a car and get the hell out of New Orleans. Head west to Lafayette for their parade, which is actually on Monday night, then spend the day proper in Houma or Eunice. Better food, local crowds, better music, more fun.

I'm not anti-New Orleans, but every single person I have ever known who has gone there for Mardi Gras has come back saying "You know, I really expected that to be more fun and less disgusting than it actually was." I blame the frat boys.

I blame "Girls Gone Wild".

How far to Lafayette? Though that public urination thing sounds mighty tough to beat...

Hi Elise

If you don't mind traveling out of the neighborhood- head to Brigtsen's Restaurant. It is in the "uptown" section, near the riverbend.

This restaurant was recommended to me, but I had no idea I was going to have one of the better meals of my life there. I had the duck- yes, I know a bit strange in the land of seafood- but I am allergic. It was simply the best duck that I have ever had.

I believe the chef/owner is a disciple of Paul Prudhomme- so use that as a gauge. Everything about the evening was great, including the service. The official address is 723 Dante Street, and their phone is 504 861-7610.

Go and enjoy, and get out of the madness.

Elise---Enjoy!!! and let the goods times roll!!

Elise, Laissez le bon temps roulez!!

Puhleese have a po'boy at Mother's for me! Gawd I love that place!

Elise,

If possible, checkout Parasol's at the corner of 3rd & Constance (in the Irish Channel, uptown NOLA). Their po'boys aren't as world renowned as some of the other spots, but but just as tasty. If nothing else, try out their fried jalapeno slices...

The "Bon Ton" (see review in Roadfood main page) is just a couple of blocks from where you are staying. And "Uglesich's" isn't very far (5 blocks up Poydras to Baronne and then 7 blocks to the left on Baronne). If it is open, it would be outrageous to miss Uglesich's when you are that close.

quote:

Originally posted by EliseT
How far to Lafayette? Though that public urination thing sounds mighty tough to beat...

Lafayette's a straight shot west on I-10. Two hours, tops.

My wife and I had an excellent dinner at Don's in downtown Lafayette after the Mardi Gras parade in 2000. Some in other fora have said that Don's has gone downhill in recent years, but if that was a meal in their decline, the mind boggles at what it must have been like before.

We spent the day proper in Eunice (I *think* it was Eunice, anyway -- Charity will probably be reading this thread at work and she'll correct me if I'm wrong), which is a small town just to the north of Lafayette that has a traditional Cajun-style Mardi Gras parade, which personally I thought was a lot cooler. This was a town gathering in celebration, not a bunch of drunken interlopers coming together to party. Plus I have fond memories of sitting on the steps of the local Masonic Lodge with a homemade boudin in one hand and a beer in the other.

quote:

Originally posted by cleveland66

Elise,
If nothing else, try out their fried jalapeno slices...

best bar snack . . . EVER!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Lucky Bishop:

We spent the day proper in Eunice (I *think* it was Eunice, anyway -- Charity will probably be reading this thread at work and she'll correct me if I'm wrong), which is a small town just to the north of Lafayette that has a traditional Cajun-style Mardi Gras parade, which personally I thought was a lot cooler.
---------------------------

Yup, that was Eunice. Steve Riley came over from Mamou and played at one of the three stages they had going all day.

The parade included the different crews who had been out to local farmsteads on horseback, in the traditional way, and there were several guys brandishing live chickens and gunea hens that they had presumably received for their efforts and that were soon to be headed for a gumbo. Plenty of riders and foot paraders in the Cajun Mardi Gras costumes of a suit of confetti-like "tatters", a tall conical hat trimmed the same, and a mask (they make very cool masks that are easy to see through but an effective disguise by building them out of wire mesh like you have in a screen door and then painting a face over that and decorating with felt, glitter, etc.) They distributed beads like the big city parades do (although I gather that this is kind of a recent "contamination" of strict local tradition) but they made a big point of focusing on giving loot to the many children in attendance.

Here's a link for some information on Mardi Gras celebrations in several of the small Cajun towns around Lafayette:
http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/mardmain.htm

It was a wonderful experience but we were a little shy about taking part, as tourists and "outsiders" in what was such a strongly community event. Lucky and I really yearn to go again some year soon, and put aside some of that shyness!

quote:

Originally posted by verysleepy

Hi Elise

If you don't mind traveling out of the neighborhood- head to Brigtsen's Restaurant. It is in the "uptown" section, near the riverbend.

This restaurant was recommended to me, but I had no idea I was going to have one of the better meals of my life there. I had the duck- yes, I know a bit strange in the land of seafood- but I am allergic. It was simply the best duck that I have ever had.

I believe the chef/owner is a disciple of Paul Prudhomme- so use that as a gauge. Everything about the evening was great, including the service. The official address is 723 Dante Street, and their phone is 504 861-7610.

Go and enjoy, and get out of the madness.

My "local" friend just recommended that exact same place to me tonight!

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Elise, Laissez le bon temps roulez!!

Puhleese have a po'boy at Mother's for me! Gawd I love that place!

Yeah, I'll be on Poydras! I'll email you a few pics to make you drool...maybe we can post them if anyone is willing...

Debris!!! Such a humble name for such a glorious food!!!!!

There is someone who will custom make you a "tatters" outfit for 15 dollars right now...I figured that person should be busy about this time...



I flirted with the idea of Cajun country, but then I discovered the Neville Brothers are playing the House of Blues Monday night, so I am trapped in the city this go-round...it's shapin up:

Fly in Sat
Sat night reservations at Peristyle (right before it closes for the week).
Sunday...see a few parades on St Charles, find costumes,..probably Mothers and I'll try one of the above recommendations
Monday...probably Acme..Neville Brothers at House of Blues!!!
Tues...Zulu parade, balcony at Mike Andersons w buffet, drinks and a clean restroom!!!
Wed...hopefully Uglesichs won't be crowded
Thurs...fly home

Im sure I'll cram in alot of meals there, but I will have to go with the flow and eat where the wind takes me sometimes. Thanks and Keep the mid-town recommendations coming, since I'll be there most of the time!

Elise, can't add any info about New Orleans, but do want you to know I've missed seeing your posts here....it's been ever so long. And if I remember correctly, you already know a lot about New Orleans so even if I had any recommendations, they would probably be redundant.

Just to tie this in to "roadfood," eat well and enjoy every bite.

Donna

I went to New Orleans one year on the Thursday after Mardi Gras. There were mountains of garbage bags everywhere, throws hanging from the trees and power lines along St. Charles street and the streets in the Quarter were sticky as you walked along. The fire department was busy hosing down the sidewalks, so what does that tell you about what Mardi Gras si like!? What was amazing, all the people in the restaurants and anywhere we went were so nice, I guess they were happy to get back to normal. Eat well Elise! We ate 4 meals a day to get it all in.

I liked Bob's Cafe in downtown Houma.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

I went to New Orleans one year on the Thursday after Mardi Gras. There were mountains of garbage bags everywhere, throws hanging from the trees and power lines along St. Charles street and the streets in the Quarter were sticky as you walked along. The fire department was busy hosing down the sidewalks, so what does that tell you about what Mardi Gras si like!? What was amazing, all the people in the restaurants and anywhere we went were so nice, I guess they were happy to get back to normal. Eat well Elise! We ate 4 meals a day to get it all in.

Luckily I'm bringing my wellies!!!

http://www.grovelands.com/acatalog/Adults_Wellington_Boots.html

quote:

Originally posted by Donna Douglass

Elise, can't add any info about New Orleans, but do want you to know I've missed seeing your posts here....it's been ever so long. And if I remember correctly, you already know a lot about New Orleans so even if I had any recommendations, they would probably be redundant.

Just to tie this in to "roadfood," eat well and enjoy every bite.

Donna

Thanks!!! You're so sweet!!! My new job has much less down time, and now I have a house and a husband that take most of my time (hence, the running away bit).

As for "been there, done that"...I have just noticed some places are closing right down for the week, and I haven't really explored Magazine Street or the CBD. So it's nice to have some new recommendations!

Of course, it will be raining and my hotel has room service 24 hours a day from a Brennan's restauarant, so maybe I'll just catch up on my reading ...

Elise...If you're uptown, so's Parasol's!!! I swear by their hamburger steak po'boy. It's a tough one to eat, but man is it goooooooooooood...

http://www.parasols.com

My very favorites and I have eaten at these a lot are Commanders Palace. I catch a streetcar to go there. Jean Lafittes Bistro which is on Bourbon Street, Pascal's Manale which is right off St. Charles Avenue, La Louisiana Bar & Bistro which is on Iberville in the French Quarter and last but not least is Mulate's which is a cajun restaurant and has wonderful live music and is located in the Warehouse District. Oh yes and the Camilla Grill which is by Tulane is also great to go late at night. Did I mention Felix's Oyster Bar downtown right off Bourbon Street? Now I am dying of hunger. Enjoy your trip Elise.
BTW I cannot stand Don's Seafood & Steak House in Lafayette. There are some much better restaurants around Lafayette.

Pascal's Manale never gets too much press, it's a little off the beaten path and isn't very fancy looking from the outside. The place came highly rec'd by the owner of the B&B we stayed at and we enjoyed it. I love their barbeque shrimp which is drenched in butter and hot spices. Yum! It's a 2 block walk off the St. Charles St. trolley.

Pascal's Manale
1838 Napoleon AVE.
504-895-4877

Be careful! If you visit the Quarter at night during Mardi Gras, hide your wallets well -- even the front pocket doesn't work! I have a cloth purse on a string that slips over my neck and goes under my top that I always have my money in. Noone can see it and I feel safe. If you are not dressing in a costume wear old jeans, old shirt, dingy clothes and tacky jewelry. I dress like a hobo during Mardi Gras because you don't want to look moneyed. I also wear shoes that can get dirty. Make sure you get a bathroom pass or wear your wristband if you're staying in a French Quarter hotel.

Ughhhhhhhh, I am so jealous. I can't go this year.

I'll be visiting New Orleans in April, thankfully when Mardi Gras is long over. I'll be staying downtown. I plan to check out Mothers. It seems that Mother's is known for it's Po'Boys, but I checked out their menu on the web, and will probably go for the Combo Platter (Jambalaya, Etouffe and Red Beans n Rice) I'll probably even try to stuff down a small Shrimp Creole. Because I'm deviating and not going for the Po Boy, is the other stuff on the menu just as good???

Elise T, Lucky Bishop's posts notwithstanding, I envy you. My wife and I hope to make it down there some time in the not-too-distant future. Have a blast!

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

I'll be visiting New Orleans in April, thankfully when Mardi Gras is long over. I'll be staying downtown. I plan to check out Mothers. It seems that Mother's is known for it's Po'Boys, but I checked out their menu on the web, and will probably go for the Combo Platter (Jambalaya, Etouffe and Red Beans n Rice) I'll probably even try to stuff down a small Shrimp Creole. Because I'm deviating and not going for the Po Boy, is the other stuff on the menu just as good???

Their other stuff is excellent, just not as unique as their "Ralph", "Ferdie" "Debis" and not as renown as their seafood po-boys. I really like their breakfasts, with the browned baked ham.

quote:

Originally posted by Skylar

Be careful! If you visit the Quarter at night during Mardi Gras, hide your wallets well -- even the front pocket doesn't work! I have a cloth purse on a string that slips over my neck and goes under my top that I always have my money in. Noone can see it and I feel safe. If you are not dressing in a costume wear old jeans, old shirt, dingy clothes and tacky jewelry. I dress like a hobo during Mardi Gras because you don't want to look moneyed. I also wear shoes that can get dirty. Make sure you get a bathroom pass or wear your wristband if you're staying in a French Quarter hotel.

Ughhhhhhhh, I am so jealous. I can't go this year.

But those hidden wallets get in the way of flashin' em!!!

Here's a flashback from what I'm assuming was Elise's wedding trip
Whenever it was, here's a look at Mother's.





Bob (Hubby) Before:



Bob After: