Mardi Gras

[Kass]

Hey, all,
My husband and I come to NO several times a year, but have never been during Mardi Gras. We are coming on Monday, Feb. 15th, and staying 4 nights at the InterContinental Hotel on St. Charles (we got a great rate on Hotwire.com). It is my understanding that Tuesday, Feb. 16th, is the big day. We need suggestions as to what to do, see, etc.
I love this web site and feel as though I know some of you. I look forward to hearing from you with suggestions.
Thank you. I envy you for living in New Orleans!!
Kass

[bam bam]

Wear black n gold and follow the crowd. If you see me say hi. I'll be the happy guy with the insanely hot chick.

[Kass]

Thanks, Bam Bam; I follow the saga of you and JAG; it's like an internet soap opera, and I mean that in the best possible way!
Go Saints, and Roll Tide,
Kass

[RouxTheDay]

AFTER you do what Bam suggested...

It looks like your hotel is on the parade route...you're going to have no problem figuring out what to do!

On the day you arrive, check in and walk the 3-4 blocks to the Riverfront. There will be concerts going on all afternoon leading up to the Orpheus parade.

Have fun!

[Kass]

Thanks RouxTheDay! I can't wait!

[BTG]

I am pretty sure your hotel has viewing stands. Reserve a spot in them for at least one parade.

[Oyster]

Your hotel actually is the official REX reviewing stand. REX himself (not King REX, that would be redundant and improper) stops at the InterContinental and toast his Queen, gives a brief greeting, and passes a bouquet to her. All of the bands will be playing at that location. I love me some Marine Band, especially when they hit the Jazz, but the traditional tunes too. You may be lucky enough to get CRONKED! By the Marine Band! Quite the pagent, and a prime location. HAIL REX!

Their next stop to toast is at the corner of St. Charles and Canal St. at the Pickwick Club, just four blocks down St. Charles.

Glad you posted this, as I had kind of forgotten about Mardi Gras, what with all this Saints frenzy, and the great Buddy D Parade yesterday! I just can't get enough of those wacky 610 Stompers!

On a food note...don't forget Luke, Bon Ton, Rio Mar, LaBoca, Emeril's, Tommy's...all in walking distance without even crossing Canal St. or venturing Uptown!

[RouxTheDay]

If you happen to be over served on Lundi Gras, get up early and go get a Bloody Mary from Johnny White's on St. Peter.(btwn Bourbon and Royal)
...what a great way to start the day.
The costume contest in the Quarter is a must see. (unless you don't like seeing men that are prettier than women;))

[flyinbayou]

You're coming 3 days too late! Come on Friday the 12th and get warmed up for the big day.
Need temptation??
Here's what you're missing...
Friday:
Hermes - Beautiful floats with Henri Schindler influenced designs
Le Krewe D'etat - Arguably the most irreverent and funniest parade to roll.
Saturday
Krewe of Tucks - (See Krewe D'Etat but in an Animal House-like setting. As a bonus it features go-go girls in suspended cages)
Endymion - Big and gaudy. Think Las Vegas on wheels.
Sunday
In typical NOLA fashion, it's a 3 for 1 afternoon!
First are the Krewes of Okeanos and Mid-City. These are just warmups to the Krewe of Thoth (OK, I'm a bit biased!) Come with plenty of bags to put all of your throws in. These floats are so overloaded with stuff they bend their I-beams that they are built on. (Try to catch a Valentine's Day pillow or a "martini olive" football!)
Bacchus has named Drew Brees as king. Nuff said. (Nice parade too!)

Not to mention all the great food you will be missing!

I would give you the link to popular Mardi Gras guide by Arthur Hardy but the site has been down.
Here's a substitute site
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/index.html
It may not be possible but you should try to make it earlier.

[edible complex]

My favorite restaurants in the French Quarter are:

Galatoire's: oysters rockefeller, oysters en brochette, seafood stuffed eggplant, lamb chops béarnaise, crabmeat au gratin, fried soft shell crabs w/crabmeat, godchaux salad, soufflé potatoes.
http://www.galatoires.com/
Mr.. B's: great gumbo Ya-Ya, BBQ shrimp, any fish of the day plank grilled, and profiteroles for dessert.
http://www.mrbsbistro.com/index2.php
Irene's: the duck is amazing, and the chicken rosemarino is a classic Creole Italian dish.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ne ... 41515.html
Muriel's at Jackson Square: good gumbo, goat cheese and crawfish crepes, puppy drum, and double cut pork chops.
http://www.muriels.com/
Iris in the Bienville House for veal cheek ravioli, mussels, foie gras, duck confit, sunchoke and cauliflower soup, scallops and skate wing.
http://irisneworleans.com/

Go to Cafe du Monde (riverside of Jackson Square) for beignets and coffee any time of day.
http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Check out Stanley on Jackson Square for breakfast or lunch. Scott Boswell also has Stella!, but this is his casual restaurant that cranks out some good food too:
http://www.stanleyrestaurant.com/
http://www.restaurantstella.com/

For raw oysters: Desire Bar in the Royal Sonesta, Acme or Felix's in the Qtr., Luke in the CBD on St. Charles Ave., Pascal's Manale and Casamento's Uptown.
http://www.sonesta.com/RoyalNewOrleans/ ... nment.home
http://www.acmeoyster.com/
http://www.felixs.com/
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/pascalsmanale/
http://www.casamentosrestaurant.com/main/main.html
For good drinks: Carousel Bar at the Monteleone (a must visit), French 75 Bar at Arnaud's, Lafitte's Blacksmith, Absinthe House, Napoleon House, Hermes Bar at Antoine's, Chart Room on Chartres, Sazerac Bar at (recently reopened) The Roosevelt.
Central Grocery for muffalettas. These are great for the plane ride home. Be sure to check their hours. They pack well, so you can buy a day before flying. If you like your muffalettas warmed (which I do), then eat at Napoleon House or heat up the CG when you get home.
http://www.napoleonhouse.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Grocery

Green Goddess is the newest and most talked about in the Qtr.
Menu looks amazing:
http://greengoddessnola.com/


If you have a car or will take the streetcar, head Uptown for J'Anita's, Martinique, Clancy's, Patois, Coquette and Boucherie.

J'Anita's in the Avenue Pub on St. Charles Ave. for great BBQ for lunch. They also have the best fish sammich ever and the St. Chuck Duck po boy!
http://www.theavenuepub.com/food.htm

Martinique Bistro on Magazine has great food and a beautiful courtyard.
http://www.martiniquebistro.com/
Clancy's on Annunciation is terrific; get the oysters w/brie, sweetbreads, the smoked soft shell crab and the veal chops. and their frozen Brandy Alexander's are good for dessert.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ne ... 41648.html
Patois on Laurel for rabbit, moules frites, and pork belly. This has become one of the best new restaurants and well worth trying. Open also for Friday lunch and Sunday brunch, if that fits in your schedule.
http://www.patoisnola.com/
Coquette is on Magazine St. and is open for for both lunch and dinner. The menu changes, but if they have the cod, get it. They have a great drink list, and I love their French 75's. There is also a great Pinot Noir from Melville which compliments their food.
http://www.coquette-nola.com/
Boucherie is on Jeanette just off Carrollton. They are open for both lunch and dinner. Get the Mussels w/Collard Greens, Fries w/Parm, Boudin Balls, Pulled Pork Cake, Brisket, Smoked Scallops and the ChocBacon Brownie. The Cote du Rhone works well here.
http://www.boucherie-nola.com/


Or, head to Mid-City for Mandina's on Canal St. for turtle soup, oyster po boys, and trout or Parkway Bakery and Tavern for the best roast beef po boys.
http://www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com/

(Mandina's is cash only)
http://www.mandinasrestaurant.com/

In the CBD, across Canal St from Fr. Qtr., try Rambla in the International House Hotel for great tapas, Luke on St. Charles for oysters at the bar, duck and rabbit pate, choucroûte maison, and moules and frites, Domenica in The Roosevelt for goat cheese stuffed squash blossoms, grilled radicchio, and any of the pastas and pizzas. If you are in town for lunch Friday, Restaurant August has a 3 course for $20.09 that is stellar. Other places: Herbsaint and Cochon (both Donald Link restaurants), Rio Mar, La Boca, a Mano (all Adolfo Garcia's restaurants).
http://ihhotel.com/restaurant.html
http://www.lukeneworleans.com/
http://www.domenicarestaurant.com/
http://www.restaurantaugust.com/
http://herbsaint.com/
http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/
http://riomarseafood.activepixel.com/
http://www.labocasteaks.com/index.html