In the Christian faith, the season of Carnival is a time for revelry, indulgence, and a celebration of life. Its final day, as tradition goes, is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday which precedes Ash Wednesday and falls 47 days before Easter. This year, the fun happens on March 4.
So, don your beads and join the party—here are 6 spots where you can let loose and savor the day.
Southern Table Kitchen & Bar
39 Marble Ave, Pleasantville; 914.618.3355
Specializing in soul food served with plenty of hospitality, Southern Table is dishing up a classic Mardi Gras menu with all the favorites: Po’boys: fried shrimp, fried oysters, fried catfish, fried chicken, and jumbo grilled shrimp, plus a variety of gumbos: classic (blackened chicken, shrimp, and mussels), vegetarian (collard greens and mushrooms), spicy shredded chicken and andouille sausage, and seafood (salmon, catfish, mussels, and shrimp).
The Bayou Restaurant
580 Gramatan Ave, Mount Vernon; 914.668.2634
This year marks The Bayou’s 35th annual Fat Tuesday event, a day when this Mount Vernon staple goes all out and serves authentic Cajun cuisine. On the menu is a four-course meal (appetizer, salad, entrée, and King Cake) showcasing New Orleans-inspired cuisine: Jambalaya, grilled peppered catfish, Creole gumbo, Andouille sausage with beans and rice, southern fried “kickin” chicken, Bourbon Street BBQ ribs, shrimp étouffée, and more. Revelers can sip a Hurricane (the classic New Orleans cocktail made with two types of rum and a blend of fruit juices) while grooving to the band Mama Juke and guests; there will be two seatings—at 7 and 9 p.m.
Alvin & Friends
14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle; 914.654.6549
It’s all about Southern and Caribbean flavors at Alvin & Friends, a favorite dining spot in New Rochelle. This year, the restaurant will remain open on Fat Tuesday (their usual night off) to celebrate. In addition to regular menu items like jerk chicken, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and oxtail stew, the restaurant will offer jambalaya, po’boys, Dutch babies, and beignets. Live NoLa music will happen from 6-10 p.m.—and don’t forget to taste Alvin’s famous rum punch or try the new Sable Bourbon by Malcolm Lee.
Crawdaddy’s Creole Kitchen
68 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville; 914.449.6199
Crawdaddy’s has become a hometown favorite in Pleasantville, serving bold and authentic creole cuisine. What better time than Mardi Gras to check out the grilled oysters, crawfish mac and cheese, seafood gumbo, BBQ shrimp and grits, and blackened catfish? Also worth trying: Big Easy specialties such as bread pudding and irresistible cinnamon sugar beignets.
Rye Roadhouse
12 High St, Rye; 914.925.2668
Rye Roadhouse is a go-to spot for those craving genuine Cajun and Creole dishes: classic gumbo, gator, blackened catfish grits, crawfish étouffée, and po’boys. On Fat Tuesday, the eatery will be all decked out to create the perfect N’Awlins atmosphere and plans to offer special dishes such as charbroiled oysters, plus classic fried beignets for dessert.
Freebird Kitchen and Bar
161 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.607.2476
In addition to their regular items on the menu such as shrimp n’ grits, Louisiana shrimp, Cajun pasta, and New Orleans gumbo, this restaurant, known for southern comfort food, will feature a number of flavor-packed specialties for the big day: shrimp Creole and hush puppies stuffed with shrimp or chicken, along with a classic Hurricane.
Related: Black-Owned Food Spots in Westchester to Visit Right Now
