A plan for Mardi Gras mayhem

Behold, the power of beads

By Josh Barrett
Special to Metromix

Ah, the season of partyrific holidays are upon us. Within the next couple of months, cheap beer will be drunk and cheese puffs will be consumed in unholy amounts for the Super Bowl, sunburns will be distributed to hoards of college kids in South Padre Island and Cancun for Spring Break, and too much green beer will insure somebody sees a leprechaun on St. Patrick's day. But one holiday during this season has much more tradition and history. It's a celebration that has been happening for years all across the globe, and it could possibly be considered one of the rowdiest of them all, and that is Mardi Gras. And when we say all across the globe, we are serious. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", which is the day before the Lenten season in which a period of religious fasting begins for many. So all over the world, some massive party is happening, weather it's Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, or right here in good ole' Denver, Colorado.

It's probably no surprise that Denver isn't known as the place to be for Mardi Gras, let alone Cajun or Creole cuisine. But there is definitely some restaurants right here in D-town that will ensure your Fat Tuesday experience is as authentic and fun as it would be if you were right in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. We'd like to propose a plan, a strategy if you will, for allowing your taste buds to experience the world of Cajun and Creole cooking, and to make this year's Mardi Gras unforgettable. Here are some restaurants for your celebration: one to dine at, one to go party at, and finally a place to have breakfast and recover and count your beads, all while doing it Louisiana style.