Get festive at Carnivale
Just when winter tries to beat you down, Fat Tuesday rolls around on February 5th to lift you up. Here, a few choice celebrations to get you going.
Heaven on Seven:
On February 5th, let your hair down – but keep your shirt on – at this annual Fat Tuesday Extravaganza known for some raucous revelry along with authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras decor, live music and potent cocktails (hurricanes, punches, margaritas and jumbo martinis). Don't forget about chef Jimmy Bannos’s specials, which include chicken-and-andouille-sausage gumbo ($4.95 cup, $5.95 bowl), crabmeat on fried green tomatoes with sweet-corn remoulade ($10.95), fried chicken po’ boy sandwiches ($11.95) and shrimp-and-andouille egg rolls ($8.95). The party's on at all three locations (Wabash Ave., 312-263-6443; Michigan Ave., 312-280-7774; Naperville, 630-717-0777).
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club: The divas in drag camp it up N'awlins-style for Fat Tuesday on February 5th. Along with half-price martinis all night, there will be a special Hurricane Martini (Absolut Vodka, Bacardi Rum and tropical fruit juices) and menu specials like jambalaya (5:30 PM–2 AM; 773-525-1111).
Carnivale: A Rio-themed Fat Tuesday evening features live music by Angel Melendez Tropical Sextet, Brazilian samba dancers and costumed staff on February 5th (6–10:30 PM; 312-850-5005). Start the celebration early as menu specials like sugarcane shrimp with guava-chile butter ($12) and braised Gunthorp Farms pork with black beans and collard greens ($25) begin on Sunday, February 3rd and last through the 5th.