For most people though, Mardi Gras is about two things: Food and Music (well three if you count drinking). New Orleans style food remains one of my favorite foods to eat, and luckily for us, Buffalo features some great restaurants to enjoy the Cajun cuisine.
Food
Lagniappes - Located in the heart of Allen Town at 244 Allen, the newly moved and expanded New Orleans influenced restaurant features dozens of traditional creole dishes including their award winning gumbo (the best in town in my opinion), jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried okra, and countless po-boy (a traditional southern sandwich) options such as muffaletta, creole meatloaf, and fried oysters. Those new to the restaurant would be best getting the Southern Sampler, featuring small portions of most of the essential dishes Lagniappes has to offer. They have been know to have an alligator shipped from the south for a traditional gator roast the past couple Mardi Gras so if you are in the area for lunch tomorrow, you may be in luck. Be warned: it goes quick.
Shango - The New Orleans Bistro & Wine Bar, located at 3260 Main St. in the University Heights District, offers a bit of a more upscale New Orleans cuisine. Many dishes feature traditional Cajun mainstays like sauteed crawfish and andouille sausage. Shrimp and Grits, Blackened Ahi Tuna, and the Creole Bouillabaisse are some of their standout dishes, while the Poached Eggs with Laughing Bird Shrimpcakes on their brunch menu remains my favorite brunch dish in the city.
Chesters - Down on 9416 Transit Road in East Amherst, Chester's Cajun Grill, like Lagniappes, specializes in the traditional New Orleans dishes. Although I have not been to Chesters yet, I do make a point to get a plate of Cajun Boiled Crawfish every summer at the Taste of Buffalo. They even show you the proper way to eat the crawfish, brain and all, at the stand.
As for live entertainment, well you would have to almost go out of your way to avoid some kind of live music tomorrow night if you head out, so we want to highlight some of the places we will be checking out.
Music
DBGBs - Duke's Bohemian Groove Bar starts their Fat Tuesday Extravaganza early at 6:00pm when Buffalo's own embodiment of the Mardi Gras spirit LeeRon Zydeco & The Hot Tamales hit the stage. Led by Ronnie Davis, the Hot Tamales have been playing their New Orleans bayou boogie and funk since 1993 and always bring their A game for a night like tonight. Following LeeRon, Big Basha and Frosty Tone DJs will bring their dub-step electronics and dance beats to keep us moving for the rest of the evening.
Nietzsches - Year after year, Nietzsches is the place to go for Mardi Gras in Buffalo. People get decked out for this one. Newly reformed band Ramforinkus highlights the lineup that kicks off the night's festivities at 6:00pm. Also performing are Chevon Davis, Stream Donkeys, The Grifters, The Albrights, The Stripteasers and 12/8ths Path. Be prepared to see an occasional strip tease and an impromptu brass band appearance while at Nietzsches tonight.
Frizzys - Buffalo's improv jazz jam super group Jazzbollah will be playing from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. The lineup possibilities for the band remain endless as members of Anal Pudding, Peanut Brittle Satellite, Wooden Waves, Rhubarb, and more all make part of the ever changing cast of musicians resulting in a fresh and unpredictable set.
Ninth Ward - Over in the basement of Babeville, Buffalo's own ragtime minstrels Reverd Soapbox & The Rabble Rousers will take their throwback jazz and blues stylings to the intimate setting of the Ninth Ward. Doors open at 6:00pm with the show beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets can be acquired right at The Ninth Ward on Tuesday night.
Find more artists like Reverend Soapbox And The Rabble Rousers at Myspace Music
Blue Buffalo - If you are closer to closer to Chippewa tomorrow night, you can check out the Skiffle Minstrels playing their hillbilly honky tonk folk from 7:00pm-10:00pm. and if you want to get really crazy stop by Bayou for their 3 year anniversary Mardi Gras celebration.
Find more artists like The Skiffle Minstrels at Myspace Music
As always, Artvoice is sponsoring Buffalo's Mardi Gras celebration with the organization of the parade and a handy $5 bracelet that gets you into ALL of the events no cover! All funds raised by $5 bracelet sales benefit Give for Greatness, a campaign to restore funding to dozens of cultural groups.
As they say in New Orleans, Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the Good Times Roll!)
~mm/ka
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