Being French and having a husband who hails from Louisiana, the question in our house isn’t so much whether to celebrate Mardi Gras but how! Last year, we stuffed ourselves with Acadiana‘s jambalaya and king cake beignets and given how close we live to the Louisiana-themed restaurant, it’s still a good option for this year. Acadiana is offering a special $45 four-course menu as well as bar specials including $2 Southern Sliders or $5 Cajun Pop Corn Shrimp.
Eatonville is inviting diners to learn more about the meaning and history behind the celebration with a 6:30pm reception followed by a three-course dinner ($45 per person, call 202.332.6432 for reservations). John Franklin, Director of Partnerships and International Programs at the National Museum of African American History and Culture will explore the African and European roots of Fat Tuesday while Nona Martin, a native of New Orleans and public programs manager at the Smithsonian American Art Museum will present the history behind the New Orleans folklore and traditions of the Mardi Gras week. And if you just want to grab a quick drink, Central Michel Richard will be serving Abita on tap throughout the evening.
Now if you’re looking for raucous party more along the lines of what you would find on Bourbon Street, Rumors is featuring live music, beads, drink specials etc. and McFadden’s is throwing what they are calling the biggest Fat Tuesday College Party in town which means I wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere near there 😉 More up my alley is L’Enfant Cafe and Bar‘s 1st annual Mardi-Gras Crepe Flipping Race and Belgian Happy Hour. Starting at 4:30pm, you can enjoy half-price Belgian beers which are bound to put you in good spirit as you prepare for the crepe flipping races, starting at 8pm. Mardi Gras, t’en va pas… j’fais des crepes et t’en auras!
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