On Tuesday, February 9, Somerville restaurants will be celebrating Mardi Gras with culinary and cocktail specials. Break out the beads and get a taste of New Orleans in the ’Ville.
Brass Union (70 Union Square, Somerville – 617. 623.9211 - www.brassunion.com):
Brass Union will celebrate Mardi Gras in true New Orleans style. From the bar, beverage director Paulo Pereira will be shaking up a duo of classic cocktails, the Hurricane ($10) and Vieux Carré ($12), while executive chef Jonathan Kopacz will be churning out some down-home favorites with his catfish po’ boy ($12) and hushpuppies ($8). For added entertainment, there will be the smooth jazz sounds of Dixieland playing.
Foundry on Elm (255 Elm Street, Somerville – 617.628.9999 - www.foundryonelm.com):
Foundry on Elm is tapping into the French Quarter with a series of specials. To sip and snack, there is a Sazerac cocktail paired with shrimp and grits ($15) and because no Mardi Gras celebration is complete without a sugar rush, executive chef Shayne Nunes will serve up beignets with a chocolate-chipotle sauce ($6). Foundry also will be pouring sips from the Louisiana-bred Abita Brewing Company.
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River Bar (661 Assembly Row, Somerville – 617.616.5561 – www.river-bar.com):
River Bar is getting into the New Orleans spirit with their “Green Fairy Mardi Gras” specials. On the liquid side, River Bar will pour Pastis and absinthe while incorporating their antique absinthe fountain including New Orleans-bred Herbsaint ($8), Prado Pastis ($9), Pastis Henri Bardouin ($10), St. George Absinthe Vert ($13) and Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure ($14). River Bar also will offer a tasting flight of the five featured spirits ($21) and a specialty cocktail, the Pastis Suissesse, with pastis, Herbsaint, crème de menthe, cream and egg white ($12). From the kitchen, executive chef Patrick Gilmartin will be dishing out a chicken and housemade chorizo jambalaya ($18) and dessert calls for bananas foster ($6).
Saloon (255 Elm Street, Somerville – 617.628.4444 – www.saloondavis.com):
Saloon will recreate Bourbon Street in their underground speakeasy this Mardi Gras. With Cajun music playing and beads a-plenty, executive chef Shayne Nunes will be featuring a catfish po’ boy special with Cajun remoulade ($13). To wet the whistle, there will be a variety of New Orleans-inspired frozen daiquiris.
