Celebrate Mardi Gras in Lincoln Square

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, falls on Tuesday, March 1 this year, and you don’t have to travel down to New Orleans to experience the Carnival celebration. Grab some beads and head to these Lincoln Square spots to participate in the traditions of Mardi Gras.

On Tuesday, March 1 at both 7:30pm and 9:30pm, the Gotham Kings bring their annual Fat Tuesday celebration to Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Led by trumpeter Alphonso Horne, this fun-loving group of musicians and dancers will treat audiences to the infectious traditions of Creole jazz. The concert showcases the virtuosity of a young Louis Armstrong and the innovative genius of King Oliver, weaving the sounds of New Orleans into a rich musical fabric that uplifts and warms the soul. With special Mardi Gras drinks on the menu, the club will be in good spirits for the occasion. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $25 for students, and can be purchased here.

Every holiday is filled with fun and delicious food, and Mardi Gras is known for its king cake! Each country or region has their own variation of a king cake. In the United States, the most common king cake is the New Orleans recipe: a ring of sweet pastry that is covered in icing and purple, yellow and green sprinkles or luster dust. Purple stands for power, green symbolizes faith and yellow represents justice. And there is a plastic baby hidden in every king cake! Whoever gets the slice with the baby is said to be on their way to a very good and lucky year. You can find this variation of the king cake sold in Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle), though supply is limited. If you want to try making your own, check out Whole Food’s recipe for Mardi Gras King Cake.

If you want to try a different king cake, order a Galette de Rois from Épicerie Boulud (1900 Broadway at West 64th Street). Épicerie’s king cake is a recipe found in French-speaking countries and regions: a flaky puff pastry with a frangipane filling. Click here to order a Galette de Rois from Épicerie Boulud.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Photo credit: Dizzy's Club