Where to Enjoy Mardi Gras Season 2024

Mardi Gras Tastes for Foodies

Big Muffuletta with chips at the Bayou. -Photo by Morris Gut

By Morris Gut

Manhattan Voice

February 3, 2024

FOOD - ‘LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER’! Let the good times roll! Carnival season has begun all over the globe. Mardi Gras will culminate on Fat Tuesday, February 13th. If you want to take in some of the revelry here are some local suggestions…

NEW ORLEANS & SOUTHERN STYLE MARDI GRAS DISHES & VENUES!

They’re calling it a ‘soft opening’. But Crawdaddy’s Creole Kitchen, 68 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, was jumping when we first walked in, past the Voodoo Lounge and to the bar. It’s the newest spot in town bursting with the flavors and vibes of The Big Easy. Tempting bites include Pimiento Cheese, Popcorn Shrimp, Crawfish Mac & Cheese, Po’ Boys, Seafood Gumbo, and Fry Baskets. Partners Michael Boulos, Veronica Kallas, Maria & Anthony Amato are planning special treats during their Mardi Gras celebration. 914-449-6199 www.crawdaddyscreolekitchen.com 

Proprietor Peter Van Cott of The Bayou Restaurant, 580 Gramatan Ave., Mount Vernon, has been serving up the spirited sounds and flavors of Cajun country since 1991, and the place is still funky and enjoyable. So, if you can’t make it to New Orleans, this is the spot to revel to authentic blues and zydeco music while hunkering down to an overstuffed Po’ Boy or such house specialties as: Voodoo Wings, fat Muffulettas, Southern Fried Chicken, Grilled Peppered Catfish, Tender Pork Ribs Smothered in BBQ Sauce, Jazzy Jumpin’ Jambalaya served with Louisiana Andouille Sausage, Alligator Sausage, and Crawfish Tails Smothered in rich Creole Gravy. Their Annual Mardi Gras Bash will be held on Fat Tuesday featuring live entertainment. Reservations are suggested. Phone: 914-668-2634. www.bayourestaurantny.com 

Owner Nick Fusco at Freebird Kitchen & Bar, 161 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, serves a Southern-themed menu that includes such specialties as: Shrimp Po-Boy Sandwich; Fried Green Tomatoes; Cajun Pasta; Shrimp & Grits; and a darn good Pimento Cheeseburger. Look for a swarm of artsy flying birds hanging from the ceiling in the dining room. Open for lunch & dinner. Great Happy Hours 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weekend brunch. Phone: 914-607-2476. www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com

Owners Greg & Jon DeMarco and Kevin Campbell of Rye Roadhouse, 12 High Street, Rye, will be marking Fat Tuesday all day. The fun starts with specialty cocktails, authentic New Orleans Cajun/Creole dishes and traditional Zydeco music. Try their tasty Shrimp Po’ Boy or mixed bowl of Jambalaya with meats and seafood including Andouille sausage and crawfish tails. The sweet potato fries served with remoulade are great. Beads and giveaways are also promised. Reservations a must. Phone: 914-925-2668. www.ryeroadhouse.com 

Owner Spiros Chagares of Artie’s Steak & Seafood, 394 City Island Ave., City Island in the Bronx, does a wonderful job with his American Shellfish Jambalaya. It is on the menu, and it is loaded with the flavors of the New Orleans. It can be easily shared, as with so many of their other big combo platters. Good craft beer selection and cocktails. Phone: 718-885-9885. www.artiescityisland.com 

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar, 2375 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, is part of a 70-store chain of eateries espousing the delights of southern seafood. There are Crayfish Boils, Po’ Boys. The menu allows you to select your favorite meat, seafood & vegetables and they will prepare a New Orleans-style meal. Also: Concourse Plaza and Parkchester Metropolitan Oval, Bronx. 718-293-0388,  914-355-7739 www.hookreel.com 

Southern Table Kitchen & Bar, 39 Marble Ave., Pleasantville, offers a big dose of Southern hospitality along with such open kitchen house specialties as: Fried Green Tomatoes, Cheddar Biscuits, Grit Bowls, Cajun-style Seafood Boils, and Chicken & Waffles. Good Fried Chicken, too. Open daily. Phone: 914-618-3355. www.southern-table.com 

Ekren and Elvi, owners of KEE Oyster House in White Plains, serve a delightful seafood-rich menu in a contemporary, white-tiled setting. Their version of a Po Boy is a winner. Kee also serves a pristine selection of East/West oysters with all the trimmings. An indulgent platter of Oysters Rockefeller is a specialty. Their version of Fried Calamari teases my palate. While the taste of their Pan-Seared Scallops with seafood risotto and brown butter sends me into foodie heaven. There are dramatic Hot or Cold Seafood Towers, too. For you carnivores out there, a hefty 16 oz. Dry-Rubbed Prime Sirloin is on the menu. Good beer and wine selection. Open Mon-Sat. KEE, 126 E. Post Road. White Plains. 914-437-8535 www.keeoysterhouse.com 

Multi-talented artist, model, actor and consummate host Alvin Clayton of Alvin & Friends, 14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle serves up solid doses of American Soul Food, Southern favorites, a taste of the Caribbean, spirited jazz sessions and art. Alvin & Friends Restaurant has a sophisticated Manhattan vibe. Check out the Classic Jambalaya, Shrimp & Grits, Fried Chicken, and Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops. Burgers and Mac & Cheese, too. Combine your visit with some live music. Love their Friday night jazz featuring local talent. Saturdays, too. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is a winning combination as well. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 914-654-6549 www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com 

Holy Crab, 32 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, serves fresh Cajun-style seafood as you would see in New Orleans. It is a long sprawling space with bustling bar/lounge. Open daily. Check out such specialties as: Lobster Mac & Cheese, Po’ Boys, Gumbo, Snow Crab Legs and Jambalaya Shrimp. Phone: 914-948-3888. www.holycrabny.com 

You can enjoy a good Jambalaya at Savanna’s Southern House, 3901 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor. Blackened Catfish & Shrimp, too. A convivial spot offering a southern themed ambiance. 914-736-1203 www.savannahandco.com 

FESTA DI CARNEVALE AT LA BOCCA!

Chef/proprietor Tony Spiritoso will be holding his annual Italian multi-course Carnival feast on Sunday, Feb. 18th. The cost is $85 per person. Begin with platters from Tony’s signature antipasti bar loaded daily with tempting cured imported meats, cheeses and appetizing house made salads. Tony has brought his vintage bright red slicing machine along wherever he has been, and it sits here ready to roll at the antipasto counter. Italian music. Some consider La Bocca the most authentic Italian kitchen in the area. Seasonal pastas, meats, fish and game. The wine selection is among the best in the county. The dining room is strewn with artistic columns and seasonal artifacts. There is a wine room for private events. Open 7 days. La Bocca, 8 Church St., White Plains. 914-948-3281 www.laboccaristorante.com 

BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL AT FOGO DE CHAO!

Warming things up for the start of Carnival, Fogo de Chao, the bustling Brazilian steakhouse in White Plains, will be holding a spirited Bar Event on Thursday, February 8th  from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $29 per patron for 2 Caipirinhas, the national cocktail of Brazil, and bar bites. Traditional specialties will be served throughout the month. Fogo De Chao is a sprawling spot for drinks, giant Market Table salad bar, and waves of fire-roasted meats served on skewers in the churrasco style. If you have never experienced this type of dining concept, get ready and make sure you are hungry. Additions to the traditional meat offerings include a fresh daily seafood selection, a variety of freshly made salads, and a dramatic bar/lounge area. Bar menu. Happy Hours. There is also a butcher shop on the premises for take-home. Fogo de Chao,  235 Main Street, White Plains. www.fogodechao.com 

(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)