Iva Lee's
photo: Amy Squires Photography
Just because you can't make it to New Orleans doesn't mean you have to miss out on Mardi Gras. All across town on February 5th, the Cajun spirit will be alive and well in the City of Angels.
Cajun/Creole eateries like Bourbon Street Shrimp Company, The Creole Chef, Stevie’s Creole Cafe, Iva Lee’s, JACKshrimp, Palace Grill, Ragin’ Cajun Cafe, and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen are all offering live music, beads and noise makers in honor of the holiday. But if you want to get a full-tilt, out-of-control taste of Fat Tuesday, head for the annual party thrown at the Original Farmers Market where the Gumbo Pot is ground zero for jambalaya (and gumbo), and the Market is festooned in green, purple and gold, filled with Dixieland bands, and revelers wearing masks given out for the occasion – laissez les bon temps roulez! (6333 W. Third St.; 323-933-9211)
If you can hold off till February 9th (Fat Saturday?), you can head over to the annual Mardi Gras West celebration at Uncle Darrow's that doubles as a benefit for Re-Unite America and the Make It Right Foundation. Proceeds from the crayfish boil, along with bubbling pots of gumbo and jambalaya, will go to rebuilding the Big Easy, with live entertainment by T-Lou & His Super Hot Zydeco Band (310-306-4862).