The Old Bay Restaurant Kicks off Mardi Gras
0Mardi Gras 2012 is just a few short days away, and The Old Bay Restaurant is counting down to our absolute favorite time of the year! To get you ready for the greatest celebration there is, we’re dishing up something extra special – some good old fashioned Mardi Gras history!
Mardi Gras from the Beginning
Put your pads and pencils away – this is just for fun! So, many historians believe that the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers landed in what is now Louisiana, just south of New Orleans. After a small celebration, the spot was dubbed Point du Mardi Gras. In the following years, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the day with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. This continued until the Spanish took control of New Orleans. When this happened, they abolished the celebrations, and the bans were enforced until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812.
In 1827, a group of students wearing colorful costumes, danced through the streets of New Orleans after witnessing a similar ritual in Paris. A decade later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place! Years later, a secret society called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession which included marching bands and floats, which set the stage for the celebrations today.
Did you know Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday? It sure feels like a real holiday here at The Old Bay Restaurant!
Mardi Gras at Old Bay!
In exactly 5 days, Mardi Gras will kick off and so will our 25th annual Mardi Gras Masquerade party! Tuesday, February 21st at 5 p.m. starts the best celebration in New Brunswick! For only $20 a ticket you can come enjoy an authentic Cajun Creole Buffet from 5 to 10 p.m. which includes Shrimp Creole, Chicken and Sausage Jumbalaya, Cajun Fried Chicken, Red Beans and Rice, King Cake and so much more! We’re also providing some great entertainment for you with live music by the Tash Brothers Band and The Old No. 7 Band. Don’t miss giveaways from Magic Hat Brewery and Bacardi. What makes every Mardi Gras celebration complete? Beads! We’ll have plenty of beads, masks and a whole lot more to get you in Mardi Gras spirit!
“Like” us on Facebook to stay up to date with all of our events and to answer our weekly Facebook trivia to win a free sharing plate when dining with us!
Treat Yourself at Old Bay Restaurant
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Since it’s always Mardi Gras at the Old Bay Restaurant, you can always treat yourself! We have a variety of delicious New Orleans style desserts to please your palate and your craving for sweets!
Bananas Foster for Two $8.50
You have to try the New Orleans version of the banana split! You’ll delight in three scoops of locally made Thomas Sweet French vanilla ice cream surrounded by a sautéed banana in a cinnamon, caramel and rum sauce. This dessert is definitely a classic favorite!
Warm Chocolate Praline Tart $7.50
If you have never had a tart, now is the time to try one! The warm chocolate praline tart is drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauces served alongside a scoop of Thomas Sweet French vanilla ice cream.
Key Lime Pie $6
If you’re a key lime pie fan, finish your meal off with a slice of our refreshingly tart pie. Made with fresh juice from the Florida Keys, this delicate custard is served in a traditional graham cracker crust. This dessert is definitely a must for pie lovers!
Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce $6
You can’t come to Old Bay and not try the Creole Bread Pudding! A homemade hot bread custard with the rich flavors of cinnamon, pecans and raisins; topped with a buttery bourbon sauce. Hungry yet?!
Créme Brulee $8
A creamy classic French custard also known as burnt cream or Trinity cream. Custard and caramel that can’t be missed! This dessert is another can’t miss classic. If you’ve never had Crème Brulee, we suggest you give it a try next time you come in for dinner!
Thomas Sweet French Vanilla Ice Cream $5
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Who doesn’t love a sweet and delicious locally made French Vanilla ice cream?! It’s perfect if you’re feeling a little full, but still want a treat!
Next time you’re dining with us, make sure to leave room for one of these great desserts! We also have a great selection of specialty drinks and beer to pair with your meal. “Like” us on Facebook for updates about our entertainment and events!
The Old Bay Restaurant Dishes up Louisiana Facts
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Every Thursday on The Old Bay Restaurant Facebook page, fans have had the opportunity to answer the weekly trivia for a chance to win a free sharing plate the next time they dine in at the restaurant! The fans are doing very well – someone has won every week! Here is what we’ve learned so far:
- The first Mardi Gras was celebrated in the United States in 1703.
- The dough used to make the traditional New Orleans King Cake is similar to that of a Brioche.
- Coriander is not a seasoning characteristic to Cajun cuisine, but Parsley, Bay Leaves and Cayenne are!
- The three colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold, power.
Louisiana Creole cuisine is a style of cooking that blends many different styles together. Five of these styles include French, Spanish, Native American, Greek and Cajun.
Did you know these facts? If so, you should be participating in the Facebook weekly trivia! The trivia will include facts about Creole cuisine, Louisiana and Mardi Gras – all of The Old Bay Restaurant’s favorite things! Some of the sharing plates you can treat yourself to if you win include: Mini Crab Cakes, Bayou Fish Tacos, Cajun Popcorn Shrimp and Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya!
If you love Mardi Gras, delicious food and a great night out, Old Bay is the place to go! As New Jersey’s premier New Orleans-style restaurant, our dinner menu features gourmet French Creole and Cajun cuisine, steaks and seafood! For the beer lovers, The Old Bay Restaurant is pleased to serve an award-winning draft beer list featuring 22 taps pouring the finest micro-brewed imported domestic beer you can find! If you’re looking for a mixed drink, enjoy the Hurricane or the Mint Julep!
“Like” The Old Bay Restaurant on Facebook today to enter the weekly trivia contest! If you answer correctly, you get one of our delicious sharing plates on us! Good Luck!
Louisiana Cooking and French Creole Cuisine Only a Drive Away
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Louisiana cooking can be divided into two styles of cooking known as Cajun and Creole. Did you know many Cajun and Creole dishes are not hot and spicy? Peppers, herbs and spices should be used in carefully controlled quantities to enhance, rather than dominate the flavors of other ingredients. The Creole style of cooking developed in the city of New Orleans and is a mixture of the traditions of French, Spanish, Italian, American Indian, African and other ethnic groups.
In general, classical French Creole dishes such as those featured at The Old Bay Restaurant, are often more complex and sophisticated than their Cajun counterparts. The Old Bay Restaurant serves a variety of unique dishes designed to take you straight to the Bayou! Check out some of our house specialties.
Seafood Jambalaya – This dish consists of delectable Gulf shrimp, New Zealand mussels, Sea Scallops, Calamari and Cajun Andouille sausage simmered in a rich Creole sauce. This is all served over long grain rice for a satisfying and delicious dinner!
Andouille Crusted Red Snapper – A Fresh filet of Red Snapper crusted with spicy Cajun andouille sausage and breadcrumbs pan seared to succulent perfection. This is then laid atop a bed of edamame succotash and topped with wilted baby spinach for a blend sure to satisfy your taste buds!
Pecan Crusted Catfish – A Georgia pecan encrusted farm raised Mississippi Delta Catfish filet is pan roasted then finished with a scallion and onion sauce. Served with mashed sweet potatoes and fresh ratatouille for a true southern delight on the dinner table!
Stuffed Sole with Lobster Sauce – This dish is made with a Fresh North American sole baked with a cornbread and shrimp stuffing, and then topped with a lobster sauce and served with long grain rice and ratatouille. If you have never had a fresh sole, this is a great dish to try!
Vegetable Napoleon Evangelia – How does Napoleon-style stacked slices of roasted eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini and red bell peppers sound? These are layered in between sun dried tomato tortillas drizzled with pesto and served with tri color Israeli couscous for a wonderfully blended dish.
Barbeque Braised Short Ribs – The ribs are braised and coated in Old Bay house made barbeque sauce, and placed on jalapeño corn cakes and served with a helping of ratatouille. Now, those are ribs!
Stuffed Pork Chops – Two 6 oz. center cut pork chops are stuffed with a cornbread and toasted pecan dressing, then seared with Old Bay Cajun spices. The pork chops are served with mashed sweet potatoes and creamed spinach. If you love pork chops, you’ll probably love this dish.
Organic Chicken Breast – This dish serves up a breast of organic chicken stuffed with Brie cheese and is pan roasted. The chicken is served over wild mushroom risotto with a balsamic cream sauce and grilled asparagus. This is a satisfying dinner sure to handle even the loudest stomach rumbling!
The Old Bay Restaurant knows Louisiana cooking, and loves sharing mouth watering dishes with patrons. In addition to great food, the award-winning draft beer list features 22 taps pouring the finest micro-brewed imported domestic beer you can find. Stop in for a delicious meal, great atmosphere and unique experience.
Get in the Mardi Spirit at Old Bay Restaurant
0If you have dined in New Orleans, you probably know that service in a fine restaurant does not have to be stuffy to be good. In southern Louisiana, professionalism and friendliness are one in the same. It has been the mission of The Old Bay Restaurant to emulate this service philosophy. Since our opening in 1987 we have been proud to present an atmosphere which is unique to some of the oldest of the French Quarter’s renowned bistros. We appreciate the culture and especially the fun, and we love to share it with you. To us, it’s always Mardi Gras. That’s why we love to celebrate with our specialty drinks served with a New Orleans twist!
The Hurricane – If you’re looking for something to get you in the Mardi Gras spirit, order a Hurricane! This drink consists of every kind of rum in the house, a variety of cordials, and fresh fruit juices served in a festive glass for an extra Mardi Gras twist. The hurricane is one stormy concoction that’ll cloud your mind!
The Mint Julep – This drink, which happens to be the drink of the Kentucky Derby, is a southern gem. We’ll mix Kentucky bourbon and a blend of fresh mint and sugar in the raw. We will pour over crushed ice and you will definitely feel a tingle in your taste buds for another one real soon!
Sazarac – If you’re looking to try something new, this drink might be it. It is a “N’awlns” favorite, made with chilled Makers Mark bourbon, bitters and sugar and served up in a pernod coated snifter.
Strawberry Mint Lemonade- This is a perfect drink for the end of the summer heat! It is an absolutely refreshing blend made with Absolut Citron, strawberry juice, lemon juice and fresh mint stirred with crushed ice and served in a nice tall glass.
The Swamp Water – This drink is a popular order at Old Bay Restaurant. The Swamp Water is made with the South’s favorite liqueurs. This add some Mardi Gras spirit, we serve it up in a mason jar. This is definitely a potent bayou potion that might bite you back!
The Old Bay – Are you brave enough to try this very special drink? It is our own Bloody Mary made from a secret recipe! We won’t tell you what’s in it, but we will say once you’ve tried ours, we don’t think you’ll ever drink anyone else’s again!
Margarita Commemorativo – This drink is an Old Bay twist on a delicious classic. This Margarita is made with Sauza Conmemorativo, Triple Sec, orange juice and lime juice, served on the rocks and rimmed with salt.
Cajun Spciy Martini – Do you want to feel the southern heat? Try this favorite made with pepper vodka, green Tabasco and olive juice. This concoction might be the perfect accompaniment for an evening suited for heated behavior. That will certainly get you ready for Mardi Gras!
Once you go to Mardi Gras, the experience will be with you for a long time. If you appreciate it as much as we do at Old Bay Restaurant, celebrate Mardi Gras all year long and join us for one or all of these mouth watering specialty drinks!