King cakes, parties and themed drinks and foods are coming to Arlington and Falls Church for Fat Tuesday next week.
From purple, green and gold-covered sweets to New Orleans cuisine and church pancake suppers, here’s where you’ll find community celebrations and Mardi Gras activities next Tuesday, March 4.
Dining and parties
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
When: During business hours on Tuesday
Astro is bringing back king cake donuts topped with green, purple and gold sprinkles for the occasion. They’re $5 each and available for pre-order. A limited supply of donuts will be available in-store.
4001 Campbell Avenue
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar and Eatery
When: “Mardi Pardi” from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday
Bayou’s acclaimed king cakes are available now for online ordering. At $50, one cake can serve about 14-16 people — Mardi Gras beads and plastic baby included. Orders for Bayou’s “Mardi Gras in a Box” with king cake, party favors and hurricane cocktail mix must be placed by this Saturday, March 1.
The bakery’s 15th annual “Mardi Pardi” includes drink specials, live music and Cajun cuisine by New Orleans native, Chef David Guas. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for kids age 12 and under.
“Pardi Gras” catering bundles with dishes like chicken and sausage gumbo, deviled eggs, jambalaya and red beans and rice are available in varying packages for $165, $300 and $460. King cakes are included.
1515 N. Courthouse Road
Chasin’ Tails
When: During business hours from March 3-6
A festive, limited-time endless seafood menu includes appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts and family-style seafood boils. Try main courses like salmon dirty rice or shrimp and sausage gumbo, or a seafood pot with Louisiana crawfish and andouille sausage. Three tiers of seafood boil meals start at $75 per person.
944 W. Broad Street, Falls Church
Dogwood Tavern
When: Specials offered all day Tuesday, with live music from 6-9 p.m.
Dogwood Tavern’s Mardi Gras menu features hearty dishes like seafood gumbo, chicken and andouille jambalaya, po’ boys, fried seafood and a raw bar. Pair with one of Dogwood’s celebratory drink specials, including hurricane cocktails, Sazeracs drinks and beers from the Louisiana-based Abita Brewing Co.
132 W. Broad Street, Falls Church
Good Company Doughnuts
When: Starting tomorrow (Friday)
King cake donuts with a “boozy Hurricane glaze” and plastic babies will be available to order by the half-dozen online. Pickup and delivery orders must come at least 24 hours in advance.
672 N. Glebe Road and 1350 S. Eads Street
La Côte d’Or Café
When: During business hours on Tuesday
The French restaurant is celebrating with a three-course, $45 prix fixe menu celebrating the foods of New Orleans. Start with seafood gumbo, fried oysters in remoulade sauce or Cajun-style deviled eggs. Entrees feature chicken and andouille gumbo, jambalaya, blackened swai or fried catfish. End the meal with New Orleans beignets or a walnut-peach bread pudding in caramel bourbon sauce.
6876 Langston Blvd
Pastries by Randolph
When: Items are available for order until Tuesday
Pastries by Randolph is offering king cakes and treats adorned with purple, gold and green. Its cinnamon dough-filled king cakes come with coins, beads and a plastic baby. Priced at $30, one cake can serve about 10-14 people. Iced, masquerade mask-shaped cookies and pearl sprinkled-cupcakes are also available to order.
The bakery also plans to offer Mardi Gras-themed cake bites starting tomorrow (Friday).
4500 Cherry Hill Road
Ragtime
When: Specials offered all day Tuesday, with live music from 7-11 p.m.
Ragtime’s special Mardi Gras menu includes muffuletta grilled cheese, jambalaya, seafood gumbo, po’ boys, a Cajun sampler and a raw bar starting at 4 p.m. Featured “Bourbon Street Beverages” include hurricanes, frozen cyclones, Sazeracs and Albita Brewing Co. drinks.
Roots and blues group Rogue Johnsen Trio performs at 7 p.m.
1345 N. Courthouse Road
Whino
When: During business hours Tuesday
The Ballston bar is offering drink specials with $4 king cake shooters and $12 hurricanes. Pair these with Whino’s extended happy hour food deals from 3-8 p.m., featuring $8 grilled wings, Brussels sprouts, Waygu beef sliders and other appetizers.
4238 Wilson Blvd
Church activities
Christ Crossman United Methodist Church
When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday
Christ Crossman will host a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper “with plenty of pancakes and sausage on-hand.” Fruits, whipped cream, and other “confectionary-ish stuff” will be included.
384 N. Washington Street, Falls Church
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday
Join Mount Olivet in the church’s fellowship hall for a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, with sausage, bacon, fruit and refreshments. RSVP is available on SignUpGenius.
1500 N. Glebe Road
Saint Agnes Catholic Church
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
The church will host a Mardi Gras gathering and potluck for young adults with jambalaya and king cake. Guests should meet in the parish hall after 5 p.m. Mass.
1914 N. Randolph Street
St. John’s Episcopal Church
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday
A free pancake supper will have sausage, apple sauce, non-alcoholic beverages, music and activities for kids. The church encourages guests to bring a donation item for its food pantry.
415 S. Lexington Street
