FAMILY
FEASTING
FAT CITY AND NEARBY ENVIRONS OFFER WILDLY DIVERSE DINING OPTIONS AT THE DOORSTEP OF FAMILY GRAS. By Ian McNulty amily Gras is a self-contained, kid-friendly, carnivalthemed kingdom, and this kingdom has a court. That would be the Flambeaux Court, the food concessions area where a handful of vendors sell food to the Family Gras crowd. A few are familiar names from the Metairie restaurant scene — like Andrea’s Restaurant (3100 19th St., 834-8583; www.andreasrestaurant.com), which will be serving seafood ravioli and char-broiled oysters, among other items — while others specialize in the festival-style fare of midways everywhere – like the vendor Deep Fried What?!, which answers its own question with deep-fried Oreos and Twinkies (or deep fried bananas and pickles for fruit and vegetable types). But we know that food cravings recognize no boundaries, and while Family Gras doesn’t allow outside food or beverages at its free-admission event, the party happens within easy walking distance of one of the area’s most diverse and densely packed collections of casual eateries. Fat City and the immediate area orbiting the Lakeside Shopping Center are both bursting with restaurants, many of which offer quick and relatively inexpensive eats perfect for the brood heading to or from the Family Gras grounds. For instance, you can get fish tacos and Mexican pizzas at Taqueria Corona (3535 Severn Ave., 885-5088; www.taqueriacorona.com), or, if you’re keen to get an early start on the big day, hearty breakfasts of crab cakes Benedict and crawfish omelets set the stage at Riccobono’s
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Peppermill (3524 Severn Ave., 455-2266; www.riccobonos.com), where parents can wash them down with Irish coffee. Barbecue is enjoying a resurgence in Fat City, with two new purveyors marking their first Mardi Gras in business this year. Saucy’s BBQ Grill (3244 Severn Ave., 322-2544; www.saucysbbqgrill.com), adds boudin, chaurice and jerk pork to its meat selection while Smokin’ Buddha BBQieux (3206 N. Arnoult St., 304-6602; www. smokinbuddhabbqieux.com) has been doing some impressive work with specialties like Cajun pastrami, brisket-covered nachos and pulled pork meat pies. For something a little more exotic, there’s Korean barbecue at Korea House (3547 18th St., 888-0654), where tablemounted grills to cook your own supper prove a reliably fascinating diversion for curious kids. Nearby options cover a variety of other Asian cuisines, from Japanese at Kanno California Sushi Bar (3205 Edenborn Ave., Metairie, 455-5730) to Thai at Cafe Equator (2920 Severn Ave., 888-4772; www.cafeequator.com) to Chinese at China Rose (3501 N. Arnoult St., 887-3295), which has both ChineseAmerican standards and a so-called “Chinese menu” of more authentic dishes (at the very least, try the potstickers from this special menu). For more New Orleans-centric fare, there are po-boys, seafood platters and such at Jaguar’s Food and Spirits (3555 18th St., 888-4940; www.jaguarsfoodandspirits.com) and Mr. Roo’s Deli (3501 Severn Ave., 8854010; www.mrroosdeli.com), while for a deli experience of a different sort, try Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery (3519 N. Hullen St., 888-2010; www.koshercajun.com) for Reubens, Rachels and latkes (just remember, like any proper Kosher deli, this one is closed Saturday). For Kosher food with North African Saucy’s BBQ Grill on Severn Avenue serves racks of ribs as well as boudin, chaurice and jerk pork. PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER.
Get some Seoul food at Korea House. PHOTO BY EUGENIA UHL
flavor, there’s also Casablanca (3030 Severn Ave., 888-2209; www.kosherneworleans.com), specializing in Middle Eastern pita sandwiches and aromatically spiced Moroccan entrees. The area around Family Gras is also rich in both burgers and oysters. Bud’s Broiler (2929 N. Causeway Blvd. 833-3770; www.budsbroiler.com) and Lee’s Hamburgers (3516 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 885-4291; www.leesburgers.com) each serve similarly modest and widely-loved burgers topped with shredded cheddar. Burgers of a different stature are on tap at Phil’s Grill (3020 Severn Ave., 324-9080; www.phils-grill.com), with its build-your-own format and turkey, veggie, bison and slider options. For oysters, of course there’s Drago’s (3232 N. Arnoult St., 888-9254; www.dragosrestaurant.com), where reefs and reefs worth of raw and charbroiled versions are served each day. Cross the Causeway Boulevard underpass and you’ll find the Metairie outpost of Acme Oyster House (3000 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 3094056; www.acmeoyster.com) along the main drag, or, a bit tucked away, Bozo’s Restaurant (3117 21st St., 831-8666; www.bozosrestaurant.com), which has an oldschool oyster bar and a specialty in fried catfish. The sweet tooth will find satisfaction at Sucre (3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 834-2277; www.shopsucre. com), the upscale dessert shop by the Lakeside Shopping Center. Meanwhile, cafe au lait and beignets await at Morning Call (3325 Severn Ave., 885-4068; www. morningcallcoffeestand.com), the old French Market classic transplanted to this suburban shopping paradise, and there are French-style pastries and more coffee drinks at the nearby branch of La Madeleine (3300 Severn Ave., 456-1624; www.lamadeleine.com). Of course, if none of this does the trick, the Oreos and Twinkies will be hitting the fryer at Family Gras all day.
f e b r u a ry
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FAMILY GRAS LINEUP FRI. FEB. 10 THE VETTES
ELECTRIC TOUCH
5:30 P.M.
HOT CHELLE RAE
7 P.M.
6:15 P.M.
SAT. FEB. 11 THE CREOLE STRINGBEANS
THE BACON BROTHERS
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11 A.M.
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1:30 P.M.
12:15 P.M.
THE DRIFTERS
STARSHIP
FEATURING RICK SHEPPARD
FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
2:30 P.M.
AMANDA SHAW
3:30 P.M.
BONNIE DUNE
5 P.M.
THE POINTER SISTERS
6:15 P.M.
SUN. FEB. 12 THE DOODLEBOPS LIVE!
CHRISTINA GRIMMIE
10:30 A.M.
10 & 11:15 A.M.
HERE COME THE MUMMIES
THE FARM
11:45 A.M.
THE DOWNTOWN FICTION
PARACHUTE
2:15 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
12:30 P.M.
COWBOY MOUTH
SAFETYSUIT
3 P.M.
4 P.M. Family gras 2012
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FAMILY GRAS 411 • Admission to Family Gras is free. The Royal Pass provides backstage access and close-up views of the bands on both stages, reserved bathrooms and access to VIP food and beverages.
VIP INFO Royal Passes are $99 for the weekend and are available at Ticketmaster.com through Thu., Feb. 9 only. • This year, Family Gras expandes to two musical stages on the neutral ground of Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. The main stage, featuring local and national performances, will be at Festival Plaza (between Causeway and Severn boulevards, opposite Lakeside Shopping Center). The Krewe Stage will be at the opposite end of the neutral ground. Across Veterans Memorial Boulevard, at the corner of North Hullen Street, the Family Gras Interview Tent will be set up in the front lot of the newly opened TGI Fridays. • Costuming is encouraged, and each day of Family Gras has a different theme: “Fright Night Friday” (wear your ghoulish best), “Sports Saturday” (show your Saints or Hornets pride) and “Carnival Sunday” (anything goes). • Food and drinks are available in the Flambeaux Court area (see list of food vendors and dishes on page 7). • The Jesters’ Kids Tent, with lots of activities for children, will be open Saturday and Sunday.
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MORE INFO:
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• Budweiser, Coca-Cola products and bottled water will be sold on site. • No outside food or beverages allowed. • No pets. • No skateboards or bikes on festival grounds. Bike racks will be provided. • For more information, visit www.familygras.com.
FAMILY GRAS FOOD VENDORS A variety of meals, treats and traditional fair food, along with drinks, will be sold onsite at Family Gras. For other food options nearby, see Ian McNulty’s story on page 2.
ANDREA’S RESTAURANT & CATERING Char-broiled oysters, crabmeat ravioli, oyster ravioli, seafood gumbo, cheese ravioli
BIG WIL & THE WARDEN Rib-eye steak po-boys with fries, alligator sausage po-boys with fries, bacon-wrapped shrimp sandwich po-boys with fries, fried chicken on a stick, corn dogs, gyros and funnel cakes
CYPRESS CAFE AND CATERING Jambalaya, alligator sausage, crawfish sausage, crawfish pasta, hamburgers “Since 1969”
DEEP FRIED WHAT?! Deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried pickles, deep-fried apple pie on a stick, deep-fried Nathan’s hot dogs COUPON
FRY DAT!! LOUISIANA Bloomin’ onion mum, fried green bean supreme, sweet potato chips deep-fried and topped with a cheese blend, Cheezy-Stix (fried mozzarella cheese sticks), deep-fried king cake, Ben-Yays! (deep-fried bread dough topped with powdered sugar)
MYME’S CATERING Crawfish pasta, stuffed crab with potato salad, fried drumettes
NEW ORLEANS COOKERY Alligator meat & shrimp jambalaya, crab cake, fried catfish plate, bayou seafood pocket (grilled seafood with onions and seasonings in a wrap), blackened bourbon chicken, red beans and rice
favorites Po-Boys, Pizzas & Plates
including Seafood Muffulettas, Italian Meatballs, Veal Marsala, Mirliton Casserole, Fettucine Alfredo, Grilled Chicken or Grilled Shrimp Salad, Gumbo and more. 3939 Veterans • 885-3416
all blooming plants in stock
30
%
OFF
EXPIRES 2/29/12 CASH & CARRY ONLY NOT VALID W/ ANY OTHER COUPONS. COUPON MUST BE PRESENT AT TIME OF PURCHASE.
COVINGTON 1415 N. HWY 190 (985) 809-9101
METAIRIE 750 MARTIN BEHRMAN AVE
(between Cleary Ave & Clearview)
(504) 833-3716
Mon-Tues 11-3 • Wed-Thurs 11-7:30 Fri 11-8:30 • Sat 11-8:00 www.parranspoboys.com
WWW.VILLERESFLORIST.COM
VISIT US ON
Family gras 2012
NEW ORLEANS ORIGINAL DAIQUIRIS
serving new orleans'
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Amanda Shaw
The Bacon Brothers
Bonnie Dune
Feb. 10, 11 & 12 follow family gras on facebook & twitter
Cowboy Mouth
Christina Grimmie
Creole String Beans
BUY A ROYAL PASS FOR THE FULL BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE
The Doodlebops
The Downtown Fiction
The Drifters ft. Rick Sheppard
Electric Touch
The Farm
Here Come the Mummies
Hot Chelle Rae
Parachute
The Pointer Sisters
Experience a once in a lifetime, behind the scenes Family Gras experience with premium stage level viewing, front stage viewing, gated hospitality, catering and upscale restrooms. Purchase your $99 weekend ROYAL PASS through .
FLAMBEAU
FOOD
COURT
Experience Louisiana cuisine, festival style, at Family Gras’ Flambeau Court. Don’t miss a moment of entertainment while enjoying our vendors’ creative Southern cooking! SafetySuit
2012
Starship
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ft. Mickey Thomas
The Vettes
Be sure to try the unique deep fried King Cake!
across from lakeside mall
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