Find. Eat. Drink. Party Gras Mambo

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Edition: 12 February, 2010

This Tuesday, February 16th, is Mardi Gras. A time when party pigs from all over the world descend on New Orleans' French Quarter seeking a bit of debauchery.

But if you'd rather skip the Big Easy and celebrate Fat Tuesday at home, here's some help.

Here are some of the best New Orleans spots to hit according to locals:

Chef John Besh

BON TON CAFE
Simply the best Creole food done the right way!
www.thebontoncafe.com
401 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
T: 504.524.3386
PARKWAY BAKERY
For po-boys.
www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com
538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
T: 504.482.3047

Pastry Chef David Guas

CLANCY’S
For lemon icebox pie.
6100 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70118
T: 504.895.1111
PALACE CAFE
For white chocolate bread pudding.
www.palacecafe.com
605 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
T: 504.523.1661

Chef Edgar Chase IV

WILLIE MAE’S SCOTCH HOUSE
Best fried chicken.
2401 Saint Ann St, New Orleans, LA 70119
T: 504.822.9503
OLIVIER'S CREOLE
Good red beans and rice, and shrimp creole.
www.olivierscreole.com
204 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
T: 504.525.7734

See the map view of recommended restaurants, purveyors, and bars.

STAY IN

Red Beans & Rice: the Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase, has cooked for legends like Ray Charles and Count Basie at her restaurant Dooky Chase. Follow her recipes for red beans and rice and bread pudding, and no one will go hungry.

The Sazerac: is the official cocktail of New Orleans. The Ramos Gin Fizz was the official cocktail of Governor Huey Long. These original recipes for both cocktails come from the classic Sazerac Bar.

King Cake: NOLA native and DamGoodSweet pastry chef David Guas likes traditional cakes from Gambino's and Haydel's. If you get the slice with the hidden baby, you're responsible for next year's king cake. NYC's Blue Smoke is selling king cakes for $32.95 (call 212.447.7733).

The Hurricane: it's always hurricane season at Pat O'Brien's. But if you want to get blown away up north, they'll ship their famous punch mixture right to your door. The American Beer Distributing Co. in Brooklyn sells Louisiana's own Abita beer, $40.99 for a case. If you order more than $75 worth, they'll deliver.

GO OUT

If you prefer yelling 'throw me something, mister" in a crowded bar, Rye House will be hosting a Fat Tuesday Party. Sazeracs, jambalaya, beignets, and more NOLA themed foods.