MARDI GRAS IN BETHESDA 2014 - EVENTS AND SPECIALS

Fat Tuesday is just around the corner. While Bethesda still lacks a Mardi Gras parade, some local bars and restaurants are trying to fill the void.

DOUBLETREE BETHESDA

Saturday, March 1, 8:00 PM

$35 gets you 2 drink tickets and access to a variety of New Orleans cuisine, a traditional King Cake finish, a complimentary Bacardi specialty bar to start the evening, giveaways and live jazz.

You can order tickets online. The hotel is offering $98 rooms for those who want to stay for the night.

8120 Wisconsin Avenue

MUSSEL BAR BETHESDA ROW

Saturday, March 1, 12-4 PM

You can pre-game for the Doubletree at Mussel Bar earlier Saturday afternoon. Their Mardi Gras R"evo"lution features $4 EVO drafts, $25 all-you-can-eat New Orleans cuisine, and live music by Chris Bruno.

7262 Woodmont Avenue, (301) 215-7817

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ SUPPER CLUB

Friday, February 28, 8:00 PM

A burlesque show in downtown Bethesda? Lingerie models? You read about what's sure to be the wildest Mardi Gras event in town here last week, and with it being this Friday night, you can now fit all 3 events on your Mardi Gras schedule. I ga-ron-tee!

7719 Wisconsin Avenue, (240) 330-4500

IS BETHESDA READY FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY BURLESQUE SHOW? (PHOTOS)

Adults Only! Must be 18+! Bad girls doing good things!, warns the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, about what promises to be the closest Bethesda will get to a Bourbon Street-level Mardi Gras celebration.

Burlesque performers and lingerie models will take the stage at the historic former movie theater on Friday, February 28, at 8:00 PM. Performers will include Maria Bella of Baltimore, Miss Bliss Floccare from North Carolina, and Bitsy Buttons from Richmond. The lingerie models will be courtesy of Charm City's Bottom Drawer Lingerie Boutique. Mardi Gras-themed music for the performers - and for attendees who wish to avail themselves of the club's dance floor - will be provided by the Texas Chainsaw Horns.

The club's proprietor, Rick Brown, promised they wouldn't limit themselves strictly to blues & jazz concerts.

This show is likely to draw some attention around town. A representative of the Texas Chainsaw Horns says, "they're probably only gonna let us do this once."

Tickets are $20.00, and can be purchased online.

Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club

7719 Wisconsin Avenue, 240-330-4500

MARDI GRAS IN BETHESDA 2013 - KING CAKES ARRIVE AT GIANT

It's tough to celebrate Mardi Gras in Bethesda. We have no Mardi Gras parade whatsoever. We have only one Cajun restaurant, Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Bar on Cordell Avenue. And most bars either have no special plans, or are declining to share them with the public.

Union Jack's and Giant Food to the rescue!

Union Jack's Bethesda on St. Elmo Avenue will actually be having a real Mardi Gras bash Tuesday night, February 12.  Their chef is preparing a special Cajun menu, many a strand of beads will be given away, and so will a tropical vacation with hotel and airfare, by the end of the night.  They'll also be pouring the official drink of New Orleans, the Hurricane.

Meanwhile, King Cakes have arrived at Giant. These cakes contain a plastic baby, representing Christ. The person who finds the baby in their piece of cake has to buy the King Cake next year.

Did you know that each year, 750,000 King Cakes are sold in New Orleans? And that another 50,000 are shipped by air overnight to customers all over the country. You won't have to go that far, but hurry, because Giant usually sells out of King Cakes every year.

Three notes on the photos of my King Cake below:

1. They are round, ring cakes. Mine is missing the 2 pieces I cut out Saturday and Sunday night. Sorry!

2. Giant packs the plastic "baby" separate in the box, rather than hiding it in the cake as tradition calls for.  I think it's to avoid legal liability for someone choking on it. However, if adults are eating it and forewarned, the cake has cuts around the top that allow you to easily stuff the baby into a piece of the cake.

3. Giant did not include any beads with this batch of King Cakes. Boo!  That's strange, as they always gave a generous handful of Mardi Gras beads in many colors in past years.

Enjoy a Mardi Gras out in Bethesda, at home in Bethesda, or both!

By the way, two places to look for Zapp's Potato Chips from New Orleans, are Potbelly on Elm Street, and CVS on Wisconsin Avenue across from 7-11 and Fairmont Plaza (they usually have one of my favorite flavors, Voodoo).