Mardi Gras is a lively, decadent, and uproarious event falling every year on Fat Tuesday – that’s the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and signal of the start of Lent, the season leading up to Easter. So before you fast and give up your vices for Lent, Mardi Gras is there to let you let loose with a crazy celebration! And since New Orleans is the city where the Mardi Gras tradition dates back to the late 1600’s, they’re the ones that do the celebration right. And what better way to celebrate than with some of the carnival’s favorite foods? These local restaurants will serve up some Creole and Cajun delicacies that will make your St. Augustine Mardi Gras just a little more authentic.
JAMBALAYA
Cap’s on the Water
This delicious dish is a bold concoction of shrimp, chicken, sausage, and crawfish over yellow rice and Cap’s on the Water gives it quite a kick! The hearty meal will have you ready to join a parade.
www.capsonthewater.com
GUMBO
Catch 27
The central element of the Fat Tuesday tradition courir de Mardi Gras, gumbo from Catch 27 will have you begging for more. This dish is piled high with Cedar Key clams, shrimp, housemade andouille sausage and hot Minorcan spices and served over Florida brown rice. Line up now for an ambrosial stew with that signature Creole spice.
www.catchtwentyseven.com
SHRIMP AND GRITS
The Floridian
Admittedly, we could probably eat shrimp and grits every single day. But who knew that this Sunshine State favorite was also a New Orleans tradition? Well maybe you did, but if you didn’t, you do now. So make your way over to The Floridian for their ‘N’ Grits special for a twist on the cherished dish.
www.thefloridianstaug.com
RED BEANS AND RICE
Beachcomber
A little taste of Bourbon Street on the sandy shores of St. Augustine! It’s not a Mardi Gras party without the traditional red beans and rice and, though the dish’s flavor could stand proudly on its own, try it at Beachcomber with spicy, chargrilled andouille sausage.
www.beachcomberstaugustine.com
BEIGNETS
Harry’s Seafood, Bar, & Grille
Okay, so they’re not the classic beignets that you’d find at Cafe Du Monde, but as soon as you bite into these Oreos fried in beignet batter and topped with a white chocolate bourbon sauce, you’ll forgive the break with tradition. And since Harry’s prides itself on their Cajun and Creole flavor, it wouldn’t be out of line to just plant yourself at one of their tables for all of the festivities.
www.hookedonharrys.com/location/st-augustine
