Perfect Time to Sample Area’s New Orleans, Southern-Style Restaurants

By Morris Gut

Let the good times roll!

Mardi Gras is right around the corner, with Fat Tuesday celebrated this year on Feb. 13. If you want to take in some of the revelry leading up to the day with authentic New Orleans or Southern fare, here are some suggestions.

Crawdaddy’s Creole Kitchen in Pleasantville was jumping when we first walked in past the Voodoo Lounge and to the bar. It’s the newest spot in town bursting with the flavors and vibes of The Big Easy.

Tempting bites include pimiento cheese, popcorn shrimp, crawfish mac and cheese, po’ boys, seafood gumbo and fry baskets. Partners Michael Boulos, Veronica Kallas and Maria and Anthony Amato are planning special treats during their Mardi Gras celebration.

Crawdaddy’s Creole Kitchen is located at 68 Wheeler Ave. in Pleasantville. Info: 914-449-6199 or visit www.crawdaddyscreolekitchen.com.

Peter Van Cott, proprietor of The Bayou Restaurant in Mount Vernon, has been serving up the spirited sounds and flavors of Cajun country since 1991, and the place is still funky and enjoyable. So, if you can’t make it to New Orleans, this is the spot to revel in to authentic blues and zydeco music while hunkering down to enjoy an overstuffed po’ boy.

There are house specialties as well including voodoo wings; fat muffulettas; Southern fried chicken; grilled peppered catfish; tender pork ribs smothered in barbecue sauce; jambalaya served with Louisiana andouille sausage; alligator sausage; and crawfish tails in a rich Creole gravy.

The annual Mardi Gras bash will be held on Fat Tuesday featuring live entertainment. Reservations are suggested.

The Bayou Restaurant is located at 580 Gramatan Ave. in Mount Vernon. Info: 914-668-2634 or visit www.bayourestaurantny.com.

Holy Crab serves fresh Cajun-style seafood as you would see in New Orleans. It is a long sprawling space with a bustling bar and lounge. Check out the lobster mac and cheese, po’ boys, gumbo, snow crab legs and jambalaya shrimp.

Holy Crab is located at 32 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-948-3888 or visit www.holycrabny.com.

You can enjoy good jambalaya at Savannah & Company as well as blackened catfish and shrimp. A convivial spot offering a Southern-themed ambiance.

Savannah & Company is located at 3901 Crompond Rd. in Cortlandt Manor. Info: 914-736-1203 or visit www.savannahandco.com.

Owner Nick Fusco of Freebird Kitchen and Bar serves a Southern-style menu that includes the shrimp po’ boy sandwich; fried green tomatoes; Cajun pasta; shrimp and grits; and a darn good pimento cheeseburger. Open for lunch and dinner, and there are great happy hours from 4 to 7 p.m. There’s also a weekend brunch.

Freebird Kitchen and Bar is located at 161 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Info: 914-607-2476 or visit www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com.

Greg and Jon DeMarco and Kevin Campbell, owners of Rye Roadhouse, will be marking Fat Tuesday all day on Feb. 13. The fun starts with specialty cocktails, authentic New Orleans Cajun/Creole dishes and traditional Zydeco music.

Try their tasty shrimp po’ boy or mixed bowl of jambalaya with meats and seafood including andouille sausage and crawfish tails. The sweet potato fries served with remoulade is great. Beads and giveaways are also promised. Reservations are a must.

Rye Roadhouse is located at 12 High St. in Rye. Info: 914-925-2668 or visit www.ryeroadhouse.com.

Southern Table Kitchen & Bar offers a big dose of Southern hospitality along with open kitchen house specialties such as fried green tomatoes, cheddar biscuits, grit bowls, Cajun-style seafood boils and chicken and waffles. There’s good fried chicken, too. Open daily.

Southern Table Kitchen & Bar is located at 39 Marble Ave. in Pleasantville. Info: 914-618-3355 or visit www.southern-table.com.

Multitalented artist, model, actor and consummate host Alvin Clayton of Alvin & Friends serves up solid doses of American soul food, Southern favorites, a taste of the Caribbean, spirited jazz sessions and art. Alvin & Friends has a sophisticated Manhattan vibe.

Check out the classic jambalaya, shrimp and grits, fried chicken and bourbon-glazed pork chops. There are burgers and mac and cheese, too. I love their Friday night jazz featuring local talent. The Sunday jazz brunch is a winning combination as well. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Alvin & Friends is located at 14 Memorial Highway in New Rochelle. Info: 914-654-6549 or visit www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com.

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar is part of a 70-store chain of eateries featuring the delights of Southern seafood. There are crayfish boils and po’ boys. The menu allows you to select your favorite meat, seafood and vegetables and staff will prepare a New Orleans-style meal.

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar is located at 2375 Central Park Ave. in Yonkers. Info: 914-355-7739 or visit www.hookreel.com.

Brazilian Carnival at Fogo de Chao

Warming things up for the start of Carnival, Fogo de Chao, the bustling Brazilian steakhouse in White Plains, will be holding a spirited bar event on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For $29, patrons receive two caipirinhas, the national cocktail of Brazil, and bar bites. Traditional specialties will be served throughout the month.

Fogo de Chao is a sprawling spot for drinks, plus there is a large salad bar and waves of fire-roasted meats served on skewers, churrasco style. If you have never experienced this type of dining concept, get ready and make sure you are hungry.

Additions to the traditional meat offerings include a fresh daily seafood selection, a variety of freshly made salads and a dramatic bar and lounge area. There’s a bar menu, happy hours as well as a butcher shop on the premises for take-home.

Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 235 Main St. in White Plains. Info: Visit www.fogodechao.com.

Festa di Carnevale at La Bocca

La Bocca Ristorante chef and proprietor Tony Spiritoso will be holding his annual Italian multicourse Carnival feast on Sunday, Feb. 18. The cost is $85 per person.

Begin with platters from Spiritoso’s signature antipasti bar loaded daily with tempting cured imported meats, cheeses and appetizing house-made salads with Italian music to spice up the atmosphere.

Some consider La Bocca Ristorante the most authentic Italian kitchen in the area. There are seasonal pastas, meats and fish and game. The wine selection is among the best in Westchester. There is a wine room for private events. Open seven days.

La Bocca Ristorante is located at 8 Church St. in White Plains. Info: 914-948-3281 or visit www.laboccaristorante.com.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or at gutreactions@optonline.net.