Local Restaurants Celebrate Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day With These Specials

The Bower Bar Launches Caffeinated Cocktail Menu

Just in time for Mardi Gras, The Bower Bar is unveiling a new caffeinated cocktail menu certain to kick things up a notch! Available Twelfth Night through Fat Tuesday, cocktails will feature an array of house-made brews, matcha, and more, perfectly balanced with ingredients from The Bower’s partner farm, Sugar Roots. According to Beverage Director Mickey Mullins, “Mardi Gras requires serious energy, so we wanted to create some cocktails that will give our guests a little giddy-up before hitting the parades.”

The specialty caffeinated cocktail menu will be available at The Bower Bar and adjacent sister restaurant, The Bower, from January 5th through February 13, 2024. 

Sealed With A Kiss 

Beverage Director Mickey Mullins invites lovers to indulge in the romantic ambiance of Valentine’s Day with the lovely featured cocktail “Rums and Roses.” Specially created for the day of love, this delightful libation will add an extra sweetness to your night. Crafted with premium rums, grapefruit, and rose-infused ingredients, Rums and Roses is the perfect drink for an unforgettable night at The Bower. The Bower is located at 1320 Magazine Street. https://www.thebowernola.com/

Mister Mao Offers Bao Boards for Mardi Gras Season

Mister Mao will offer revelers to-go Mardi Gras Bao Boards this carnival season. Priced at $200 (feeds 8 people), guests can indulge in:

• Five Spice fried chicken bites
• Hoisin pork belly
• Vietnamese pork and fish sauce mortadella
• Bao pickles of carrot with daikon radish
• Bao smears of hoisin BBQ with gochujang aioli
• Fresh herbs and crudite
• Steam at-home bao buns

 From February 4th through February 12th, guests must preorder at least 48 in advance and pick up their orders at 4501 Tchoupitoulas Street. https://www.mistermaonola.com/

Osteria Lupo Offers Food & Drinks To Go

Located on several of the uptown parade routes, Osteria Lupo is the perfect stop for your modern Italian Mardi Gras treats. The restaurant will be offering an array of to-go options including Pizze like the Diavola – spicy nduja, jalapeño, and fontina; Quattro Formaggi – mozzarella, gorgonzola, Parmesan and fontina; and the 24-Month Proscuitto di San Danielle with Fior di Latte and basil. Cocktails are also available to-go including signature libations such as the Bandiera Rossa – strawberry, basil, peppercorn and sparkling wine; La Mola – Cimarron Blanco tequila, aperol, grapefruit, lime and Angostura; and the Negroni Bianca – Citadelle gin, Salers Gentiane, Rothman & Winter Apricot, and grapefruit.  

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Osteria Lupo – the Northern Italian hotspot, invites visitors to indulge in an enchanting evening of love and exquisite flavors this Valentine’s Day with its specially curated four-course tasting menu. Priced at $55 per person, relish in a selection of antipasti, pastas and desserts, which includes Burrata con Panna with pistachio, aged balsamic, and grilled focaccia; Pesce Crudo with red snapper, tomato-walnut pesto, and fried capers; Black Truffle Arancini with fresh Umbrian Truffle, and Val D’Aosta Fonduta; Radiatori with Louisiana Blue crab, basil, and parmesan; Bucatini Carbonara with guanciale, egg, pecorino, and parmesan; Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka with crispy garlic, and Calabrian chili; Grilled Lamb Rack with wood-fired zucchini, pistachio, and mint; Yellowfin Tuna with fennel, charred cipollini, olive, and chilies; Crispy Potatoes with lemon, garlic, and parmesan; Charred Radicchio and Broccoli with Bagna càuda, and a selection of house-made desserts. Don’t forget to sip and savor specialty cocktails such as the Black Manhattan with Rittenhouse 100 rye, Averna amaro, bittercube orange, and angostura, and Bandiera Rossa. Osteria Lupo is located at 4609 Magazine Street. https://www.osterialupo.com/

Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day Happenings at Virgin Hotel New Orleans

Revelers can enjoy a slew of  Mardi Gras happenings from January 5 to February 13 at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, 550 Baronne Street. https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans/entertainment/

PROGRAMMING:

• Mardi Gras Cocktail Menu at The Pool Club
  • Date and Time: Now through February 13th (Fat Tuesday)
    • Looking for a place to experience the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras this season? The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans invites guests and locals to relish in a festive Mardi Gras-inspired cocktail menu crafted by Lead Bartender Heather Blanchard:
      • Carnival King – Espolon Reposado, Ponche Kuba cream liqueur, praline pecan liqueur, King Cake reduction, and lime.
      • Hurricane Swizzle – Don Q Cristal, Chinola Passion Fruit, orange, mango, lime, and Tiki bitters.
      • Neutral Ground – Hendricks, St. Germain, Aperol, and lemon.
• ?Chewbacchus Drag & Burlesque Brunch
  • Date and Time:Saturday, January 20th, 10:30AM – 2PM
    • Delight in a mesmerizing drag and burlesque brunch while you relish delicious bites from Executive Chef Chris Borges and enjoy seasonal carnival-inspired cocktails before the iconic Krewe of Chewbacchus Parade. Featuring the incredibly talented performers of Trixie Minx Productions at both 10:30Am and 1PM, it’s the perfect event to get you feeling the Mardi Gras spirit! Mardi Gras & Star Wars-themed attire encouraged! Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
• Mardi Gras Headpiece Class
  • Date and Time: Saturday, January 27, 1PM – 5PM
    • Head up to the 13th floor and craft your own unique Mardi Gras headpiece with Sorellas’ Boutique. Receive a step-by-step tutorial from Sorellas’ staff and finalize your own one-of-a-kind parade look for 2024! Once you’re done, keep the good vibes going at The Pool Club with DJ entertainment.
• Carnival at Commons Brunch 1
  • Date and Time: Sunday, January 28 & Friday, February 9, 11AM – 2PM
    • Commons Club is getting into the festival season with a unique Mardi Gras brunch experience. Enjoy delicious bites, and seasonal cocktails while you groove to the tunes of DJ Rusty Lazer. Reservations for January 28th can be made HERE, and reservations for February 9th can be made HERE.
• Lundi Gras Bounce Brunch at Commons Club
  • Date and Time: Monday, February 12, Time: Brunch 9AM-2PM | DJ 11AM-2PM | Drag Performances 11:30AM, 12:30PM and 1PM
    • Dress in your most festive Mardi Gras attire and enjoy a brunch experience that captures the essence of the carnival season. Let loose with a specialty Mardi Gras cocktail in hand and feel the rhythm of the music of DJ Mikey Offline. Special guest Laveau Contraire, drag-queen extraordinaire, will be setting the vibe with multiple performances that’ll make you want to move & groove. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

Celebrate love on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at The Pool Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans. From open to close, the rooftop destination with sweeping views of the city will transport lovebirds to a crimson wonderland filled with a red rose installation, romantic twinkling lights, and specialty Valentine’s Day cocktails, including a Pinkie Promise featuring Don Julio Blanco, Lillet Rosè, and hibiscus ginger beer or a Bourbon Sweetheart – a Valentine’s inspired riff on a bourbon smash.

Is all the romance making you hungry? Pair libations with snacks like Grilled Swordfish Tacos with Habanada peppers, pico de gallo, cabbage, lime, and micro cilantro, or Lamb Nachos with house-pickled banana peppers, radish, black olive, tomato, avocado, and feta. Or head downstairs to Commons Club, where Executive Chef Chris Borges will offer an array of Valentine’s Day dining specials in addition to the regular a la carte menu, along with wine flight specials, Valentine’s martini specials, and caviar tastings. The Pool Club and Commons Club are located at Virgin Hotels New Orleans at 550 Baronne Street.  https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans/eat-drink

Valentine’s Day at Compere Lapin

Join Chef Nina Compton this Valentine’s Day at her flagship restaurant, Compère Lapin, with a variety of Valentine’s Day a la carte specials, including Chilled Oysters with mango mignonette; Whole Branzino for Two with seafood pepperpot; and Strawberry Semifreddo with Champagne anglaise. The restaurant will also offer specialty Valentine’s Day cocktails and wines. Compere Lapin is located at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street. http://comperelapin.com/

Costera for Valentine’s Day

Celebrate love with Costera’s three-course tasting menu on Wednesday, February 14th. Savor the bold flavors of coastal Spanish cuisine by indulging in citrus and Vermouth Marinated Olives; griddled sourdough with Boquerones and Green Olive Tapenade; charred romaine with Summer Vegetables and buttermilk dressing; 24 oz boneless Ribeye with charred onion salsa verde; seared Gulf Fish a la plancha with blistered tomato, fennel, and hazelnuts; Louisiana Blue Crab Salad with charred Creole tomato, olive, and crispy Garlic; papas bravas with aioli and Piquillo Puree; and a selection of house-made desserts for $55 per person. Costera is located at 4938 Prytania Street. http://www.costerarestaurant.com/