Is anyone planning on attending Mardi Gras this year. Parades start this weekend.... i know im going to catch a few.

I'm sure I will down that way on Fat Tuesday. We always have brunch, the day after, at Cafe Du.

Mattie

yep the largest in the US this year - St Louis.

yeah i know they got a walking parade through the quater this sat we got a place down at margaritaville from what i understand. This year should be interesting.

oh please unless its in new orleans or brazil its a shadow of the real thing. ive been to some out of state and its cutsie. Spend the whole week in New Orleans doing party gras and you will need another week to recover.

If you are not a regular, and looking for a great place to dine, try John Patoughs. (sp) As you know if you are not a local it can be difficult to get a reservation. The food is outstanding. He opened the place about 4 yrs ago. It's located close to the riverwalk. Enjoy. Pronounced...Patoos

If you are not a regular, and looking for a great place to dine, try John Patoughs. (sp) As you know if you are not a local it can be difficult to get a reservation. The food is outstanding. He opened the place about 4 yrs ago. It's located close to the riverwalk. Enjoy. Pronounced...Patoos

Apparently you have never been to St Louis.

reasons NO mardi gras is better

1. Its not cold

2. Bars do not close

3. No Open Container law

4. Many other acts are shall we say ignored

5. Entire city celebrates

6. We have had a liiittle practice at this

7. We prepare year round for this one holiday

8. Mardi gras Balls

9. Mom's Ball in Blain Kerns studio (man i know i spelled that wrong)

i retract the its not cold statement. Went to the parade in the quarter saturday night and if it wasnt for jim ( the whiskey kids) and a good cigar id froze to death. it was fun though and many of the floats were about the wicked witch (blanco) and willy wonka (naigan) some how i dont see these two getting elected again lol.

I'm sorry bassdude, but the place to be for Mardi Gras is New Orleans. Once you have gone to the parades, the minor ones are fun and enjoyable but the major parades are unlike anything you will see you will agree. My favorite is the Bacchus parade and the ball afterwards is a blast. My other half is from St. Louis and she use to think the same thing as you until I took her to New Orleans and as much as it kills her to admit it St. Louis doesn't hold a candle to New Orleans. As for those who are lucky enough to get to Bourbon street go to the New Orleans cigar factory, they make good cigars at a decent price.

Timing is everything - I was in New Orleans last year for Mardi Gras.

I use to go every year but that was when I lived near there, I haven't been in 5 years and I miss is so much. Enjoy I'll just have to settle for watching the cams online.

The food in New Orleans is incredible. I had a alligator kabob I got in the tourist market that made me cry. It was HOT, but full of flavor that the fire didn't kill. It was the hottest food I'd ever eaten and I couldn't put it down!

Every place I ate was just awesome. I actually went for the food, the party was just a bonus. There are some cajun places around here, but only one compares to NO. Of course, the owners are from NO, as well as the chef. And they serve gator, yum!

If you can't be there in person;

check out the cams page at www.nola.com

The evenings are a site to behold and to "hold" often !

On the subject of Cajun food...Has anyone heard how the crawfish are looking? I'm about 3 hours from New Orleans and the bugs are running about $2.75/ pound live. In the past we could by a sack for about $1.75 this time of year. I spoke to my local vendor and he says the rain in the past few weeks should drive the prices lower.

I'm having a serious hankering for some good mudbugs. I figure we'll be lucky to get a sack for less than $1.50 a sack.

I'm sure most on this site have no idea what they are missing. If you are ever around central MS, give me a shout and we'll have a huge bug boil. Ahh the smell, the taste, the beer. You just can't beat it.

Well craw dads should be falling as the rain keeps coming its driving the salt water out finally and the red bugs are coming back. hopefully the price will fall. you can go down to venice and pickem up off the boat cheap those boys need the cash.

Man I miss Louisiana.

Especially Mudbug Season.

I once ate 25 lbs in 30 minutes, in a crawfish eating contest. I finished 2nd behind a guy that averaged over a lbs a minute.

I have been to both New Orleans, and St. Louis MardiGras celebrations. St Louis celebration is a good time, but I must agree New Orleans is much better.

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

Porche-

I know where you are speaking of (Venice). I've been fishing there for several years now. Great Reds and Trout. My first trip I scored the Cajun Slam.(Red, Trout, Flounder). How does the marsh look. I've been wanting to go, post Katrina, just havn't had a chance. Buras is also a good fishin hole. We did loose Joshua's Marina I heard. That sux.

Anyway, you say the docks are cheap. How much will a sack run off the boat? Just trying to decide if it is worth the trip. I guess I could always go fishing while I'm there.

Mattie

Dave-

Now that would have been something to see. When I cook, I usually figure about 3-5 lbs per person. You are not invited to any of my boils. You would break the bank. I'm sure you were patting instead of whipping by the next day. HAHAHA