Mardi Gras fever never afflicts me, except this year. So it was no surprise that I kept getting the parade schedule wrong. I thought there might be a parade in Metairie Monday night, but there wasn’t. I promised Tom dinner at Andrea’s, so they could visit - a rarity these days. I kept my promise and dropped him there for dinner, but instead of walking a few blocks to the Veterans Blvd parade route, I drove into the city to catch a bit of Orpheus and to shop the stash of trinkets on my brother’s dining room table.
I arrived back at Andrea’s to torrential rain, so the Metairie parade would have been moot anyway. Tom was very satisfied with his meal and the visit. There was an 80th birthday party in a private room that he visited too, ever the entertainer.
Mardi Gras day started back at Kevin Kelly’s, and we arrived to an empty downstairs. Zulu was well underway and everyone was upstairs for the parade. That is the noisiest parade, ever, quite something really. But it is also a fun parade with very generous throwing.
Before we headed up to the parade we went to the buffet. Here in its rightful spot at the end of the long table was the chicken andouille gumbo we missed that first night. It was really spicy and very dark and loaded with chicken and andouille. Sharing a huge bowl of white rice was a large silver dish of red beans. We had these red beans a few years ago and Tom thought they were delicious. When I asked Kevin about them he told me they were Blue Runner. I was surprised by that because Kevin has a chef. He told me he liked Blue Runner so well there was no need to do anything but what they said: add meat. Also on the buffet was queso and chips and sliced beef and rolls for making one’s own sandwich.
Tom didn’t want to sit downstairs alone so he headed upstairs with me for the parade. I was shocked to see him stay for a parade, especially one as loud as this one. But he stayed as long as we could. We never did see the Boeuf Gras, which I usually associate with a proper Mardi Gras. It’s always exactly the same and I've seen it, so we left early for a party at the Royal Sonesta.
On a second-floor balcony occupying a few adjacent rooms, Al Groos, manager of the Sonesta, hosts a large party for media and business associates and friends. There was a long buffet all along the walls. On one wall was fried chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, and housemade potato chips and grilled vegetables, with condiments of all kinds.
An opposite wall had spinach and artichoke dip with a plethora of dippers, and a cheese display of several cheeses in slices and crumbles, flanked by the same chips and crudité. A plate of bruschetta sat next to one artichoke tapenade. There was also sushi here. A gumbo station occupied a table by itself.
In an adjacent room was coffee and desserts, which were a beautiful display. There were two large dishes, one with a white chocolate bread pudding, and another of Mississippi Mud Pie. There was housemade king cake, and several tarts, My favorite of these was pecan pie with a dollop of chocolate icing.
There wasn’t a lot of room for sitting here, but in this room there were a few tables. The high tops out on the balcony were piled high with beads, making it hard to eat out there and see the sights. But even though it was Bourbon Street, it was still early, and the sights weren’t as interesting as the people we haven’t seen in a while. The food was not spectacular, but it was certainly good enough and plentiful. There was an open bar and a separate table for soft drinks and water. Nice party.
We didn’t stay long there, but we met a very interesting woman and left later than we planned. The trip to Crescent City Steak House was quicker than expected. We went through the Quarter again and were surprised at the smallish crowds. Again, still early.
The crowds were at Crescent City Steakhouse. The place rocks on Mardi Gras. To think it was ever dead in there is a hard thing to imagine. It was a two-hour wait. A lot of people were costumed and everyone was there to have a great time. Krasna had the tripe she makes for Tom ready when he arrived. I love this woman. A lady at our table was 98 years old she was ready to party too. Susan Spicer showed up, as did the gang from Mr. John’s Steakhouse, and dozens of people who knew Tom. They sang happy birthday to him, even though it wasn’t really his birthday - it was Mardi Gras. And, as everyone surely knows,... he was born on Mardi Gras.
The 98-year-old got a filet and ate it all, Tom got his strip steak and again complained about it. I got broccoli which was cooked to that sweet spot and french-fried potatoes. I got stuffed mushrooms that were stuffed with crabmeat and deep-fried. We also had garlic bread and mushrooms and O’Brien potatoes at the table.
The entire dining room was full, with a two-hour wait, and the upstairs dining room full as well. It was impressive how quickly the food came, and how straight it was. The kitchen kept up with everything and the servers were efficient. No one was rushed. It was a wonderful and festive party. This is a great way to end Mardi Gras
Cresent City Steakhouse
1001 N. Broad St New Orleans
504-821-3271
Tue-Th 11:30-9:30
Friday till 10
Saturday 4-10
Sunday Noon-9
crescentcitysteaks.com
