Michele StuevenWhether you’re looking to celebrate Carnevale, Fat Tuesday or just want to gorge yourself the night before Ash Wednesday, here are five ways to usher in the Lenten season.
Preux and Proper owner Joshua Kopeland and executive chef and partner Sammy Monsour will celebrate the southern-style restaurant’s fifth Anniversary on Fat Tuesday from 5-10 p.m. in the historic turn-of-the-century flatiron wedge building in DTLA. Festivities include all $5 all-night beverages featuring a boilermaker served with P&P Blonde Ale and a shot of Legent Bourbon, frozen daiquiris, Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye Sazerac, Bombay French 75’s, or Copalli Rum hurricanes. Feast on traditional specialties like Louisiana crawfish ($10 per lb.), cooked in a traditional boil and served in a bucket, or the red beans and rice, house-made with dry-aged Andouille sausage, Sea Island red peas and Carolina Gold rice, served with cornbread. Other NOLA classics include cast iron seafood gumbo made with black tiger shrimp, lobster broth, seasonal oysters and mussels and okra. Finish it all off with signature pâte à choux beignets with “bananas fosters” dulce de leche and powdered sugar.
NOLA cocktails at Preux & Proper (Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios)
Every day is Mardi Gras at Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange with their soulful dishes and drinks. Sip on Bourbon Street cocktails like their Hurricane with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine, or the French 75 prepared with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and champagne. Southern-style classics include blackened chicken pasta made with white creole sauce, bell peppers and linguini, and Nana Gretchen’s beignets will transport guests to the French Quarter.
The 31st Annual Mardi Gras Celebration at the Original Farmers Market takes place on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. Party in true New Orleans-style at the market’s 31st Annual Mardi Gras Celebration. There will be bead throwing, beignets, Dixie beer, face painting, Cajun gumbo and jambalaya from The Gumbo Pot, along with live musical performances. The Dog Bakery will also host its annual Mutti Gras Pet Parade and Costume Contest for our furry four-legged friends.
Traditional King Cake (Courtesy Little Dom’s)
New Orleans native, chef Brandon Boudet is bringing the flavors of Mardi Gras to his Los Feliz restaurant Little Dom’s during dinner service through February 25 by celebrating in true Bourbon Street-style; there’ll be gumbo with chicken thighs, Andouille sausage, shrimp and jasmine rice; soft shell crab po’boy with tomato, lettuce and spicy mayo; boudin balls, chicken and pork rice balls with Creole mustard. Dessert specials including beignets with raspberry sauce and King Cake(find the baby and get a baby shot on the house), while bar specials include a cherry daiquiri and Abita beer specials.
Carnevale cannoli (Courtesy Ugo)
Cafe Ugo will celebrate Italy’s Carnevale, similar to Mardi Gras by serving up cannolis, the traditional Sicilian dessert described by writer Alison Scola as “symbol of Carnevale’s carnal and culinary debauchery.” The 18-year-old Culver City flagship will feature a variety of tubular creations, like chocolate, strawberry-filled and plenty of pistachios.
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