Gumbo Ya Ya
Last week, I touched on Mardi Gras, which takes place this Tuesday, Feb. 5. If you’re in the celebrating mood, you have some choices. Delafield Cajun/Creole restaurant Fishbones is running a special menu (in addition to its regular menu) of timely treats like pan-fried redfish with jalapeno meunière sauce, and duck, andouille sausage and white bean cassoulet. For dessert: bananas Foster bread pudding with banana rum sauce. Look for traditional give-aways of hats, beads and the like (1704 Milwaukee St., 262-646-4696). Crawdaddy’s will have drink and food specials as well (no word on what they are, sorry). Expect a frenzy of Hurricane drinkers in that West Allis institution (6414 W. Greenfield Ave., 414-778-2228). On the East Side, Bayou is extending Mardi Gras into all of next week. I mean, why not? It’s snowy and cold. Everyone (but the skiers and snowmobilers) is sick of winter. Might as well wear some beads, drink Singapore Slings and eat two-for-one appetizers. A shrimp boil, live crawfish and prizes are also part of the revelry (2060 N. Humboldt Ave., 414-431-1511). And last but not least, Maxie’s Southern Comfort. On Monday, the 4th, the restaurant is running a Mystic Menu and getting its psychic on, offering palm and tarot card readings. Tuesday night’s amusements include a band, booze-filled pinatas and an extensive menu of specials – coconut voodoo shrimp, oyster po’ boys, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, frog legs and strawberry beignets, among other things (6732 W. Fairview Ave., 414-292-3969).
Roux’s Hiatus
With the promise of gumbo and jambalaya on many people’s minds this week, you might be pondering the status of Cajun-flavored Roux Brothers Restaurant. Roux Brothers moved out of its lilliputian Shorewood location into a much larger space in Cedarburg last year. That would be the old Victorian house once occupied by The Fork Cafe (W61 N497 Washington Ave.). But if you take a spin down Washington Avenue, you won’t see any activity going on in the Brothers Roux. Owner/chef John Smurawa temporarily closed the restaurant in mid-December due to illness. Smurawa’s on the mend, but he’s putting together a new staff and isn’t ready to serve Muffalettas and gumbo quite yet. (Note: In the past few months, the menu has morphed into more of an American/Cajun hybrid.) I don’t have a reopening date, but I’ll be checking back with Mr. Smurawa.
Pie Hole
Roux Brothers’ Shorewood departure created an opening for another business (1808 E. Capitol Dr.). Vedo’s Pizza, a carryout/delivery operation, has taken on that tiny little space just east of Oakland. Pizza crusts come in thin and Chicago styles. Not enough carbs for you? The breadth of this menu extends to cheese bread, garlic bread and twisted garlic sticks, to name a few. No, I have not checked it out yet. Soon, perhaps. ( 414-962-2008)
Wing Watch
What’s more fun than watching the Super Bowl? Hmm – mass quantities of Buffalo wings eaten with alacrity. That’s the premise of the Stuffing the Buffalo competition, a benefit for Camp Heartland. Each participant hands over 10 bucks in exchange for 10 wings, a commemorative T-shirt and a bottle of Coors. The fastest finishers win an NFL memorabilia prize. This could start a second career. Feb. 3, 3-8 p.m. Location: Wicked Hop/Jackalope Lounj, 345 N. Broadway.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
Also check out Events Editor Evan Solochek’s picks for the best events in arts and entertainment in This Weekend.
