Laissez les bons temps rouler!
And so I did.
I knew Mardi Gras would be packed at Central Michel Richard, so I got there before 5:30 PM and picked up the last seat at the bar, where it was nice to see some familiar, friendly faces, both working, and imbibing.
There was a small (and expensive!) special menu for Mardi Gras, and also a wonderful jazz band, and Central was rocking all evening long – I started mine with a few drafts of Abita Mardi Gras Bock ($5), and saved the eating for later.
David Hale came up and told me that Mark Slater would be making a surprise appearance. Normally, this wouldn’t be cause for celebration, but since Mark has just been declared CANCER FREE! this was going to be one heck of an evening … and it was.
Mark texted me and asked me if I’d still be there at 7:30. My response: “If you’re showing up, I’ll wait until midnight.” They had a table of about a dozen people, and made an extra seat for me. The legendary gastronome Jim Gaby was having dinner near the kitchen, wines started to flow, and everyone was having a great time.
At some point, I was starving, needless to say, and at Mark’s recommendation I got the Ribeye with Horseradish Jus ($34), a huge, flopping piece of meat that came with a little container of fries. I tore through it like a hungry (Turbo) dog, and loved every bite of it.
How were my critical faculties at that point? Non-existent. Do I care? Nope.