Let the Good Times Roll Across Atlanta Today for Mardi Gras

Today is Fat Tuesday, and we're not about to miss out on the opportunity to live it up on one of the greatest days of the year for foodies. Honor the occasion with all of the food, frivolity, sweets and spirit(s) of a NOLA native. These Atlanta establishments are doing just that!

Call it Mardi Gras or call it Fat Tuesday. Either way, the annual day of decadence before Lent has "all you can eat and drink" written all over it. 10^th & Piedmont is more than happy to oblige on Tuesday, March 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. They're coupling an all-you-can-eat low country boil and an all-you-can-drink deal on select premium beers. Local singer/songwriter James Patrick Morgan performs. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.  

The Fat Tuesday celebration at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland promises a full day of beads, beers (including Abita Restoration), hurricanes, oysters, gumbo, king cake and po'boys. Go ahead, parade down Highland Avenue with your krewe.

Mardi Gras knows (almost) no time constraints at Marlow's Tavern locations, where Bayou 'n Bourbon emphasizes New Orleans tastes through March 31. Fill up on "Mo' Betta" specials such as roasted chicken and shrimp gumbo, fiery spice lump crab cake, Honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread, N'awlins-style po'boy, a Bayou burger packing andouille sausage and crispy crawdads, deconstructed jambalaya and Sweet Bourbon St. rib-eye steak ($6.50-$26). Jack Daniel's Honey douses the honey bourbon bread pudding ($7). Marlow's upholds Bourbon Street's beverage traditions and spins its own twists: the (not Pat's) Marlow's hurricane jazzes up Pat O'Brien's recipe with Bacardi Light rum and a floater of 151, and Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade and a Cajun cosmo are just as heady ($8-$9.50). Louisiana "home brew" Abita Restoration and malty Abita Amber pair perfectly with all things Cajun ($5.50); Sokol Blosser Evolution from Oregon keeps wine lovers in the loop ($11/$44).

Are your feet on Bourbon Street, NOLA or in Ray's in the City on Peachtree Street, ATL? Ray's in the City plants Mardi Gras merrymaking right into the heart of downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, March 4. From 5-8 p.m., Ray's in the City rocks the Mardi Gras vibe with fun drink specials, live music and Cajun-inspired appetizers. Bust out your gold, purple and green beads! It's time to party hearty, and there's no cover charge.

If clamoring that Cajun-French expression "Laissez les bons temps rouler" or "let the good times roll" sends visions of rich and round bonbons twirling through your head, roll right into Chocolate South. The artisan chocolate shop on Atlanta's Westside is crafting Mardi Gras sweets. Key lime balls are as colorful as Mardi Gras beads, and Kona coffee with Gran Marnier beauties look a bit like the fleur de lis worn by the New Orleans Saints, don't you think? These tasty baubles are a steal at $3 each.

Marlow's Tavern is Spicing Things Up During Bayou 'n Bourbon

Bayou 'n Bourbon is back at all Marlow's Tavern locations and the New Orleans style grub has everyone in a frenzy! The celebration of bold NOLA flavors, cocktails and brews is happening now until March 31. Join the party over lunch or dinner with menu items like roast chicken and shrimp gumbo or the fiery spice lump crab cake. Honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread are making a sweet and spicy landing on the menu along with the infamous Jack Daniel's Honey-splashed honey-bourbon bread pudding. A Louisiana-style party wouldn't be complete without drinks that pack a punch like  "Pat's" Marlow's Hurricane, Ramos Gin Fizz and the Cajun Cosmo. This celebration only comes along once a year, so come on in and let the good times roll!

Marlow’s Tavern is Ready to Let the Good Times Roll During “Bayou ‘n Bourbon”

Can’t travel to NOLA this week? No worries! Head to Marlow’s Tavern for the annual “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” menu! Get a bite of the Big Easy with delicious dishes like roast chicken and shrimp gumbo ($6.50); fiery crawfish fondue ($9); honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread ($9.50); “Nawlins-style” po’ boy of shrimp and crawfish ($12.50); bayou burger spiked with andouille sausage, crawdaddies and cheddar cheese ($12); deconstructed jambalaya ($14); sweet Bourbon St. rib-eye blackened and blazed with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey ($26).

Ready for dessert? A honey bourbon bread pudding made with honey and vanilla crème brûlée, soaked ciabatta and a splash of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey ($7) closes the spirited meal. And you can’t forget the adult beverages… Marlow’s takes on New Orleans’ classic cocktails including “Pat’s” Marlow’s Hurricane ($8), Ramos Gin Fizz ($8.50), Cajun Cosmo ($9) with Absolut Mango and Pepper ($9) and Louisiana’s own Abita Restoration ($5.50), the ideal companion for spicy Cajun dishes. “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” pours it on through March 25!

Atlanta's Krewes Bring a Flavor of N'awlins to You

Mardi Gras has no borders. Right here in the ATL, several fun-loving restaurants are throwing beads and bashes right along with the best of Bourbon Street. On Fat Tuesday, February 21, RA Sushi suggests you don your beads and favorite Mardi Gras apparel to whoop it up with DJ beats, $8 Southern juleps and HurRAcanes along with other lively libations. Asian-Cajun treats include the spicy chicken and shishito peppers ($7), chili shrimp roll ($8) and spicy kalbi beef ($9). Festivities run 7 p.m. to close.

In Smyrna, Atkins Park Tavern launches a five-day Mardi Gras Oysterfest starting today, February 17. New Orleans-style fare, live music and entertainment for children and adults lay on the lagniappe through Fat Tuesday, February 21. Oyster specials roll as oyster beignets, po'boys, Rockefeller style as well as grilled, raw and fried. The Patrick Scott Band plays on Friday night. On Saturday, there's brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The musical lineup begins at 2 p.m. with Wesley Cook, Soul Hound with blues and soul outside at 6 p.m. and Todd Wells from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Saturday cover is $10 advance/$15 at the door and includes a ticket for Sunday's events. Sunday's "Cure-All" hangover brunch hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with more great live music in the afternoon. Monday focuses on a celebration of New Orleans faves and entertainment for all ages from 5 - 10 p.m. Tuesday parties on with beads, beer and The Andrew Black Band from 9:30 p.m. to close at 2:30 a.m. Free admission on Monday and Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday is king on February 21 at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Stop by for a full day of fun with beers such as Restoration Pale Ale, hurricanes, gumbo, po' boys, oysters and king cake. The band Homefront plays at 10 p.m.

Downtown, Ray's in the City pleases with New Orleans-inspired specials beginning at 11 a.m. on Fat Tuesday. It's a full-fledged party from 5 - 7:30 p.m. complete with live music, specialty cocktails, Ray's famous gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell and a Low Country boil-style buffet.

If you can't make it out on Fat Tuesday, then don't fret. This year's Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern brings Mardi Gras flavors to your table. There's no cutesy masquerading here -- these dishes are Louisiana through and through for you and your "krewe" until March 26.

Mardi Gras Season Means Bayou 'N Bourbon at Marlow's Tavern

Forget the masquerades and beads - for us, Mardi Gras means the annual Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern. All eight locations of the neighborhood tavern are serving up dishes that are Louisiana through and through from tomorrow, February 15 through March 26. "Mo' Betta Specials" include chicken and shrimp gumbo; fiery crawfish fondue (pictured right); bayou flatbread; a N'awlins-style po' boy; the bayou burger jazzed with andouille sausage, craw daddies, cheddar cheese and Creole mustard; "deconstructed" jambalaya; and the sweet Bourbon St. ribeye ($7-$26). Save room for the honey bourbon bread pudding splashed with Jack Daniel's Honey ($7). You can also toast Bourbon Street with a Marlow's hurricane (borrowed from Pat O'Briens), a Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade, a Cajun cosmo and Abita Jockamo ($5-$9). Marlow's regular menu is also available for those who can't handle the celebratory kick.

Support the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Score Free Soup

Craving some hearty soup like lobster bisque or gumbo? Then get out of the kitchen and head to Marlow's Tavern or Aqua blue this Saturday. Guests who bring one or more canned food items for the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) to these restaurants on Saturday, March 13, will receive a free bowl of lobster bisque with any entrée purchase at Aqua blue or a free bowl of roast chicken and shrimp gumbo from the Bayou 'n Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern. This is the easiest soup recipe you'll ever find! Eat and drink up because Aqua blue and Marlow's are donating a portion of the day's proceeds to the ACFB. And if you add a $1 or more donation to the ACFB to your check at Aqua blue, you'll be entered to win a three-course meal for two!

Aqua Blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
Marlow's Tavern: visit www.marlowstavern.com for six Atlanta-area locations.

Let the good times roll at Marlow's Tavern!

It’s Fat Tuesday, and with that brings practically a national celebration of the fantastic flavors of New Orleans!  Marlow’s Tavern have created their own special new menu items to celebrate with “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” – take a big, easy look right below to check them out!  These special dishes will only be around from today until March 29th, so don’t miss out.