Bayou Mardi Gras Team
by Mary Gallagher–
Mardi Gras season is approaching and Louisiana-inspired restaurants Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery and Acadiana will bring the energy of New Orleans to the National’s Capital with blow-out Bourbon Street-style bashes on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
We’ve been there to celebrate in previous years and let me tell you it’s a wild time in Arlington. This year we’ll aim towards the newest member of this restaurant family on Capitol Hill.
New Orleans native chef David Guas invites guests to rock the block at his newest Louisiana hangout on Capitol Hill, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery at Hill Center. The 5th Annual Bayou Gras Block Party, now at 9th and Pennsylvania, will continue to be an event of epic proportions, and this year include a live band and huge party tents sprawling across the Hill Center campus that houses the historic carriage house that the DC eatery calls home. From 6-9PM, guests will enjoy authentic N’awlins grub featuring “Krewe de Roux” parade route fare (choice of 3 different dishes -$30) from Jambalaya, Crawfish Monica, Muff-a-lottas [named one of America’s best sandwiches by Food & Wine] to Andouille & Shrimp Gumbo – plus a little “Lagniappe” – complimentary Pralines and “BB” King Cake, by the slice. “Krewe de Booze” N’awlins-style Sips (3 cocktails from a choice selection- $25) will be created by “Mixtress” Gina Chersevani at her very own pop up bar, and “Krewe de Brewe” Abita Amber (3 Abita draft beers – $15) flow all night in complimentary Mardi Gras souvenir cups.
The Croxton cousins are fixture to shell out Rappahannock River Oysters as lagniappe (something extra at no extra charge) and kids 12-and-under eat FREE with a combo of Mac & Cheese, All-beef Dogs and Abita Root Beer. One-ticket minimum required from one of the Krewe categories. Tickets can be purchased on BayouBakeryDC.com or at the eatery itself, 202.664.5307.
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery, Courthouse, will remain the original Mardi Gras headquarters with all its decorations and beads for the Arlington community that gets pumped up for the annual Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade celebration on February 9, 2016. The “Krewe” in the kitchen will prepare an authentic parade-goers menu of specialty-priced fare and drinks at the “NOLA” Hour from 6-8PM. For more information, BayouBakeryva.com or 703.243.2410.
The Louisiana style fish-house, Acadiana, will celebrate once again, Mardi Gras, with a blow out bash on Tuesday, February 9 in its bar, lounge and patio areas (with heaters). I remember attending the grand opening here in in DC about ten years ago. The interior was so impressive and fantastic food.
On this years Mardi Gras guests will literally feast like it’s Fat Tuesday on signature carnival appetizers ranging from Mini Muffalettas to Deviled Eggs, set to the tunes of a live New Orleans-style jazz band. The main dining room will offer the full menu a la carte with drink and food specials available at the bar. For more information, please visit acadianarestaurant.com or call 202.408.8848.
Acadiana | 901 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery | Capitol Hill – 901 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery | Courthouse – 1515 N. Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA