Can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras? No problem. You can channel a bit of the Big Easy right here in the Windy City. Here are six fun ways to “laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) in honor of Mardi Gras on Feb. 17.
Bennison’s King Cake
While the King Cake was made famous in New Orleans, this pre-Mardi Gras cake actually has its roots in Epiphany, the religious holiday that represents the Three Wise Men who discovered Baby Jesus. These traditional oval, breaded coffee cakes have a small plastic baby baked inside. The person who gets the baby in his or her slice of cake is considered lucky. But really, it’s about the cake, which is colorful, moist and perfect for bringing to work to impress your colleagues with your Mardi Gras spirit. You can order one from Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston.
Psychic Readings and Creole Cuisine
Davis Street Fishmarket in Evanston celebrates its 30th Annual Mardi Gras this year from Feb. 13-17. Not only will guests be surrounded by the festive ambience reminiscent of Bourbon Street, they will enjoy the best of Davis Street’s Creole and Cajun specialties including Jambalaya, red beans and rice, Cajun catfish and oyster po’ boys. Diners who come on Fat Tuesday will be treated to live music by the Sanctified Grumblers and receive free psychic readings from Madame Billy.
Genuine Cajun Fare
In honor of Mardi Gras, Big Jones chef Paul Fehribach is adding some special menu items for both lunch and dinner. Specials at the Andersonville hot spot will include oyster cornbread salad, the “Peacemaker,” with oysters, shredded cabbage, tomato and homemade mayonnaise on a French roll. Also look for homemade jalapeno and cheese bread and a roast beef po’ boy—a French roll piled high with roast beef, tomato, shredded cabbage and homemade mayo.
Live Zydeco and Etouffee
Heaven on Seven in Naperville (now, just one of two locations after the closing of Chicago’s Rush Street location) will feature live music every weekend leading up to Mardi Gras. On Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, John Catke will headline. Specials will include an etouffée of the day and deals on Two Brothers beer.
Beaded Pub Crawl
Get your 20-something on in Wrigleyville/Lincoln Park on Feb. 21 from noon to 9 p.m. at the 7th Annual BeadQuest. For $20 a ticket, participants in this Mardi Gras-themed pub-crawl visit various bars to collect 10 different numbered beads for a chance to win prizes. Local venues along the way will be offering tasting portions of New Orleans fare such as crawfish, dirty rice and jambalaya. Venues include Rockwood Place, Irish Oak, BEER on Clark, Fiesta Cantina, Mullen’s, Cubby Bear, Old Crow, Moe’s Cantina, Sluggers, John Barleycorn, Country Club, Stretch, Exedus II, Redmond’s Ale House, Johnny O’Hagan’s, Clark Street Beach Bar, Roadhouse 66, Flaco’s Tacos, Red Ivy and Merkle’s.
Host a Mardi Gras Party at Home
Louisiana native Claire Kettelcamp has made a tradition out of hosting a kid-friendly Mardi Gras party at her Evanston home. She serves up a Louisiana feast to give guests a little taste of New Orleans.
“My house is already draped with Mardi Gras beads in every room!” she says. “We’ll be cooking gumbo, jambalaya, Natchitoches meat pies, King Cake and serving Abita Root Beer to the kids because it’s a Louisiana product.”
Even if you weren’t born and raised in Louisiana, you can get in on the fun with a Mardi Gras party of your own. Just don’t forget the King Cake—and lots of friends.
“We always love it when the boys add a new guest to the list,” Kettelcamp says. “They take great delight in explaining the concept of finding a Baby Jesus doll in the King Cake, and so do their ‘veteran’ friends.”
