Our Mardi Gras at Home Recommendations

We're a bit blue about the fact that we can't travel for Mardi Gras this year, but that's not going to stop us from getting the best Cajun food in our mouths this season. Ahead of Ash Wednesday, we plan on carrying out our New Year's Resolution of eating better (read here: eating GREAT food) in full force while wearing green, purple and gold. If you've never been to New Orleans, Mobile, or any other Southern city for the festivities, we're sad for you, but we're not going to shed any tears, because we have the food and some online entertainment for you!

FOOD:

The current star of our Mardi-Gras-At-Home show is Kimberly Velazco of Alice's Southern Comfort. https://www.alicesgumbo.com/ (626) 676-7404

Alice was born in 1933 in the 2nd ward of Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana to a sharecropper and homemaker. Being one of the oldest of 10 children, Alice found her footing in the kitchen at a very young age. Alice shared her love of cooking through the years with her husband Charles of over 50 years. Her story is now told through her granddaughter Kimberly and her great-grandsons, Vincent and Benjamin. Alice's was chosen as a collaborator by Chefs/Restauraterus Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill, BBQ Mexicana, Socalo) in their endeavor via Regarding Her (RE:Her), a charitable organization supporting female-owned restaurants in Los Angeles to be a part of their 10-day culinary festival last month. Can Kimberly cook? YES! Everything is authentic and amazing!

Little Jewel of New Orleans Grocery and Deli http://littlejewel.la/ (213) 620-0461

Little Jewel’s menu features all the NOLA classics you could crave, and more, including a Crescent City fried oyster po’boy, muffulettas (a NOLA Sicilian sandwich consisting of Genoa salami, soppressata, hot capicola and mortadella meats, plus a variety of cheeses), fried catfish platter, crawfish mac n’ cheese, a fried oyster salad, Cajun tater tots and so much more.

Stevie's Creole Café http://www.steviescreolecafe.com/ (323) 413-2494

Stevie’s Creole Café is considered the “home of authentic Creole cuisine.” Highlights from the menu include their world-famous gumbo, a selection of traditional po’boy sandwiches, plus a "House Super Menu" that includes jambalaya, king crab legs, a sausage sampler and more.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Since the Mardi Gras parades are taking a year off, but many people are decorating their homes like floats for visitors to visit on foot and socially distanced. the creativity is off the charts! https://www.nola.com/ You'll find everything from the "normal" (meaning over the top) homages to great musicians to dinosaurs, to circus themes, to glow-in-the-dark mushrooms.

Also, you can attend a virtual celebration of Carnival with music, parades and entertainment live at 8PM on Feb 12, 13, and 14. Check out the details at https://mardigrasforall.com/

New Orleans knows how to show off its style even in a pandemic.