Wednesday, February 20, 2019

What Is Hard Seltzer?

The History of Jambalaya

Mardi Gras is right around the corner, and, as with most other things, my first thoughts revolve around food. Because Mardi Gras is nearly synonymous with Louisiana (at least in the United States), I thought I’d explore a uniquely Louisianian dish and uncover the history of jambalaya.

I’m not a big drinker. Perhaps because of this, I’m also not a huge partier. So, the carnival aspects of Mardi Gras never had much appeal to me. The eating aspects, however? Now we’re talking! Mardi Gras, translated from French to mean “fat Tuesday,” refers to the final day before the Christian season of Lent, where many of the faithful fast. Which means Mardi Gras is the last day to…indulge (i.e. stuff your face) in all your favorite goodies before giving them up in prayerful contemplation. As if I needed an excuse for food to be the highlight of any holiday. Still, there it is!

When I think of Mardi Gras, I think Cajun and Creole foods (yes, they are different). And there’s really nothing more universally Cajun and Creole than jambalaya. Ah, jambalaya. Just imagining it makes me feel like Newman from “Seinfeld” must have felt while taking a big whiff of his recently purchased bowl, and excitedly exclaiming, “Jambalaya!” before giddily running off to eat it. Rice? Protein? Veggies? Savory seasoning? A complete dish, with the taste to match. It’s a veritable powerhouse food!

That said, it’s odd and somewhat confusing that Newman obtained his jambalaya from a soup joint. Why? Because jambalaya is most certainly not a soup. That’s gumbo. While sharing similarities with gumbo, jambalaya is a rice dish. Actually, in its truer forms, it sort of reminds me of paella, and there’s good reason for that. But, wait! Paella is a Spanish dish, and Louisiana has its roots in French culture. Right? Right. Well, sort of.

Grilled Paella recipe

Chowhound’s Grilled Paella

While Louisiana has strong French roots, there was a time in the region’s history when the Spanish held control—from 1762 to 1800, to be precise. Prior to that, the French held control after settling in the area. Then, in 1800, the Louisiana Territory came under Napoleon’s control (and therefore rejoined the French empire), though the Spanish were still heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the state—at least until 1803. At that point, Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States by way of the Louisiana Purchase.

That 38 years, while relatively short in the grand scheme of things, was plenty of time for Spain to leave its mark on local cuisine. By many accounts, during this time of Spanish control, they sought to bring flavors from their culture to their new home. In trying to make paella near New Orleans, they encountered one significant snag. They couldn’t find saffron. To get around this, they used something that was more plentiful—tomatoes. And so, red jambalaya, also known as Creole jambalaya, was born.

Taste Tradition

New Orleans' Food Scene Is Rich with Surprising History
What's the Difference: Jambalaya vs Etouffee
How Moon Pies Became a Mardi Gras Staple

Even though Spain controlled the area in the late 18th century, there was still a lot of French influence, which only grew when France reacquired the territory at the beginning of the 19th century. As that happened, the French brought new spices from the Caribbean and infused them into local cuisine, which, by then, included jambalaya. From there, the current flavor profile of modern jambalaya began to take hold.

As the dish gained in popularity, a new region-specific style of jambalaya emerged—brown, or Cajun, jambalaya. As you moved away from the big city, tomatoes became pretty sparse, so it wasn’t a reasonable ingredient to include. This alternative style included seasoning, oil, and different types of seafood or meat found throughout the region. The original varieties of the Cajun style include vegetables like onion and peppers, but newer, simplified versions sometimes do without.

The final piece of the puzzle, the inclusion of sausage, came about as more Germans immigrated to the region beginning in the 18th century. By the 1840s and 1850s, German immigration to Louisiana was at an all-time high. Similar to the Spanish before them, German immigrants brought elements of their culture to their new home, including their penchant for sausage-making. Before long, sausage found its way into the regional fare, which, of course, included jambalaya.

So, there you have it! Jambalaya, a signature dish of Louisiana, was the result of three distinct cultures coming together to share old world know-how, and region-specific ingredients to create something both remarkable and unique. Hopefully you get to enjoy a hearty plate sometime soon. Have a fun and safe Mardi Gras, folks!

Related Video: Eat Like You’re in New Orleans with These Ingredients



from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2NiE1mf
via IFTTT

How Moon Pies Became a Mardi Gras Tradition

Mardi Gras is synonymous with certain foods and places—king cake and New Orleans top the list, of course. Most people probably don’t think immediately (if at all) of MoonPies and Mobile, Alabama, but in fact, they both have a long-standing connection with Fat Tuesday.

Mardi Gras’ Mobile Beginnings

Mobile Mardi Gras poster circa 1900

Mobile Mardi Gras poster circa 1900 from The Library of Congress

The very first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States was in Mobile, Alabama, all the way back in 1703, well before New Orleans was even founded (in 1718). The early processions weren’t quite the grand spectacles you see today, but they were the start of it all, and little by little, lots of specific Mardi Gras parade traditions were established and added to. Most of them are still a vital part of the celebrations.

Take, for instance, “throws”—the trinkets thrown from floats to all the people watching on the sidelines. The custom seems to have started in the 1870s, and although beads may be the most well-known throw today, there are lots of other items tossed to spectators too, from plastic cups and foam footballs to food.

Perhaps the most popular edible item that gets chucked into the crowd is the MoonPie (which, despite auto-correct’s insistence on underlining it in red squiggles, is the official spelling). Obviously, this is a relatively recent evolution of the long-standing “throws” tradition, since MoonPies are a 20th century foodstuff.

MoonPie On the Rise

Vintage 1950s ad from MoonPie (ignore the 7Up in the background; RC Cola is the proper pairing)

The MoonPie—two soft graham cracker cookies sandwiching squishy-but-stable marshmallow filling, all enrobed in a thin, chocolatey shell—came to be in 1917, when a traveling salesman from the Chattanooga Bakery encountered a Kentucky coal miner who expressed a desire for a hearty, portable snack, about the size of the moon. The famous result of that request was the MoonPie, which cost just 5 cents when it was introduced, and quickly became a hallowed Southern snack. In the 1950s, the classic combo of MoonPies and RC Cola (another good bang-for-your-buck convenience store staple) was even immortalized in a country song by Big Bill Lister.

The Chattanooga Bakery eventually added the miniature MoonPie to their offerings, allegedly in response to parents’ grumblings that the full-size pies were ruining their kids’ appetites. Happily, these smaller treats would also prove to be perfect for throwing into crowds.

More to Chew On

New Orleans On a Roll: The City's Classic Sandwiches
What Is the Difference Between Creole and Cajun Food?
A Case Study in Cocktails: New Orleans Is Home to Some of the Longest-Standing Classics

A Match Made in Heaven

Mardi Gras MoonPie

Mardi Gras MoonPie, via Twitter

So Mardi Gras and MoonPies both became beloved Southern institutions over the course of many decades, on separate paths. But how did those paths meet?

Well, that was in Mobile, too, where grand Mardi Gras parades continued to be held, even though New Orleans’ celebrations eventually eclipsed them in national and global recognition.

Cracker Jack had long been a popular Mardi Gras throw; it was affordable enough to give away and delicious enough to appeal to most everyone, but the bulky boxes were hard to aim accurately and the corners could be painful when they hit people in the head. It was such a problem that Mobile banned the tossing of Cracker Jack boxes in 1972. Smaller, softer, blessedly round MoonPies were a safer option, and they were already a long-cherished Southern delight, so they became the standard sweet treat thrown off of floats in Mobile. Once again, New Orleans followed suit—so if you’re in the Big Easy for the occasion, you’re likely to catch at least one MoonPie when you cry, “Throw me something, mister!” And of course, you can still snatch them from the air in Mobile, too.

MoonPie Minis Variety Pack, 5 Boxes for $14.99 on Amazon

Try all five flavors and have enough to go around at your own Mardi Gras celebration.
Catch 'Em All

More Ways to Eat MoonPies

Since the introduction of the classic chocolate flavor, there have been other members added to the MoonPie family (banana, coconut, salted caramel, and strawberry), and while they’re all good as-is, if you’re near a microwave, try heating one up for a few seconds, so it’s a little like an inside-out s’more. But if you’re a bit more ambitious, you can also enjoy more elaborate desserts inspired by (and sometimes actually using) MoonPies—just the thing for a Mardi Gras party at home!

Caramel Moon Pies

homemade caramel Moon Pie

Sass and Veracity

These homemade MoonPies combine whole wheat graham cracker cookies, fluffy marshmallow, bittersweet chocolate, and rich caramel. (If you’re gluten-free, just add some caramel to these GF Moon Pies if you like.) Get the Caramel Moon Pies recipe.

Banana Moon Pie Trifle

chocolate banana MoonPie trifle

Mobile Bay Mag

Banana pudding is another Southern dessert staple, but this ingenious version switches out the usual vanilla wafers for classic chocolate and banana MoonPies (plus, there are several other amazing Mardi Gras treats at the link, including a MoonPie Martini and King Cake MoonPies). Get the Banana Moon Pie Trifle recipe.

Marshmallow Moon Cake

Moon Pie chocolate marshmallow layer cake

Cake by Courtney

If you love a layer cake but prefer banana MoonPies, try this recipe. For chocolate diehards, this beauty really takes the…well, you know. Feel free to make extra ganache and fully cover the sides of the cake for a more traditional MoonPie look (and in order to eat more chocolate too, always a plus). Get the Marshmallow Moon Cake recipe.

Brown Butter Moon Pie Ice Cream

brown butter MoonPie ice cream

Feast and West

Chunks of MoonPie generously stud this creamy brown butter ice cream, for a sophisticated yet unpretentious dessert. Get the Brown Butter Moon Pie Ice Cream recipe.

Golden Oreo Peanut Butter Moon Pies

golden Oreo peanut butter Moon Pies

The Domestic Rebel

For a fancier inside-out version that’s all made from scratch, try these chocolate peanut butter Moon Pies, but if you’re a fan of shortcuts, twist apart some Golden Oreos and add marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and Nutella, then sandwich back together and dip in chocolate bark. Feel free to skip the Nutella and/or scrape out the original creme filling if you think this might be too sweet. Get the Golden Oreo Peanut Butter Moon Pies recipe.

MoonPie Bread Pudding with RC Cola Sauce

MoonPie bread pudding with RC Cola sauce

Delta Magazine

And finally, here’s a more convoluted way to enjoy the perennial pairing of MoonPies and RC Cola, the former baked into a buttery bread pudding and the latter mixed with powdered sugar for a sticky-sweet glaze to pour over top. Get the MoonPie Bread Pudding with RC Cola Sauce recipe.

Related Video: Eat Like You’re in New Orleans with These Ingredients

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

This post was originally published on February 9, 2019 and was updated with new images, links, and text on February 20, 2019.



from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2CcigNC
via IFTTT

How to Host an Oscar Cocktail Party Fit for the Stars

how to host oscar party with recipes

The 2019 Oscars are nearly here, and while they may still be without an emcee, you can be the best Oscars host in your own home when you throw a fabulous cocktail party. Create some memorable nibbles and swanky sips for a couture-caliber Oscars party, but keep it real too. After all, you are just watching an awards show on TV. These recipe ideas wink at classic Hollywood but honor casual comfort since most of us will be tuning in from our couches. Frenchy cheese puffs, macarons, and orange truffles are kinda glamorous. But then nuts, hummus, and buffalo cauliflower are more couch-snacking worthy. While the stars sashay down the red carpet, sip a sparkling cocktail from the comfort of your living room and judge their fashion choices with your friends.

Don’t forget to bring your Academy Awards knowledge A-game: pull out trivia about the first Oscar menu and quiz your friends about the best food scenes in past Best Picture winners. Have an interesting origin story on hand to whip out during the most boring speech of the night. And also, be sure to set up your room so everyone gets a good seat (and easy access to all your wonderful snacks and drinks)!

Red Carpet Royale Champagne Cocktail with Gold Leaf

Champagne is a must for a celebratory night, and a gold leaf garnish nods to the famous golden statuettes, but the addition of tequila keeps it all down-to-earth (though we can’t promise it won’t go to your head). Get our Red Carpet Royale Champagne Cocktail with Gold Leaf recipe.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (price varies), on Drizly

Get the star treatment: bubbly delivered straight to your door.
Check Availability

Mini Croque Madames

Mini Croque Madams party appetizer recipe

Chowhound

The miniature nature of these appetizers (and the fact that they’re topped with precious little quail eggs, which are easily found at Asian grocery stores) makes them seem super fancy—but really, they’re just bite-sized French comfort food, and what’s more humble than a ham and cheese sandwich? Get our Mini Croque Madames recipe.

Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs

How do you make cheese even more heavenly? Make it like a fluffy cloud. These gougères—French-style cheese puffs—are livened up with parmesan, Manchego, and pepper, and perfect for sipping with a glass of Cava. Get our Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs recipe.

Cornmeal Blini with Caviar

blini with caviar and smoked salmon

Synergee/E+/Getty Images

Okay, caviar might feel like too much of a splurge, but you can get cheaper (and still delicious) fish roe from non-sturgeon species that’ll make you feel fancy without breaking the bank. Besides, caviar connoisseurs would say you shouldn’t drown out the good stuff with crème fraîche and smoked salmon anyway—but use more affordable eggs and it’s a seafood symphony. Get our Cornmeal Blini with Caviar recipe.

The Other Sort of Caviar

No way you're cooking? Use code CHOWFEB19 to get $5 off your $30 Caviar order, plus free delivery! For new diners only, through Feb. 28.
Order Now

Buffalo Cauliflower

This crowd-pleasing party snack is the best of both worlds (like enjoying the benefits of a fancy Oscars gown without getting out of your sweatpants, if that was possible). You feel like you’re eating deep-fried buffalo wings, but the cauliflower reality is much less effort. And while it’s not quite keto, it’s close enough for us regular folks. Get our Buffalo Cauliflower recipe.

Red Pepper Hummus

Slightly spicy, slightly sweet, this dip combines the balance we all seek. It’s creamy yet healthy, and easy yet interesting. In short, a winner. Get our Red Pepper Hummus recipe.

Easy Cream Cheese Herb Dip with Crudités

Easy Cream Cheese and Herb Dip recipe

Chowhound

Be just like the stars and keep your svelte silhouette by skipping the potato chips, or at least supplementing them with whatever fresh vegetables you please; anything goes with this easy, tangy herbed dip studded with scallions. Just call them crudités to lend the proper cachet. Get our Easy Cream Cheese Herb Dip with Crudités.

Roasted Rosemary Walnuts

A bowl of nuts gets schmancy when toasted and infused with rosemary flavor. Don’t even think of doing peanuts. So passé. Get our Roasted Rosemary Walnuts recipe.

Funfetti Macarons

Macarons are a French fad that isn’t fading anytime soon. Maybe it’s because they’re so delicate and often gluten-free. Naturally, the ganache filling doesn’t hurt either; this one uses white chocolate for a change, and they’re decorated like works of modern art. (But you can also try our French Macarons with Pomegranate Ganache recipe, which uses more traditional semi-sweet chocolate.) Get our Funfetti Macarons recipe.

Champagne Cupcakes

Easy Champagne Cupcakes recipe

Chowhound

Then again, if macarons seem like too much of a challenge, we hear you. In that case, just fancy up some easy vanilla cupcakes with Champagne and a little gold leaf. Even if you skip the vanilla custard filling, these will still be a smash hit. Get our Champagne Cupcakes recipe.

Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookies

Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookie recipe

Jessie Sheehan

If you can’t get enough of the salty-sweet duo, these potato chip cookies are a great choice for starring dessert at your shindig. They’re also a nice way to pay homage to classic movie snacks. Get the Butterscotch Potato Chip Cookies recipe.

Orange Marmalade Truffles

Truffles add instant glamour but are actually surprisingly easy to make, and this rendition gets a triple dose of bright orange flavor from marmalade, Cointreau or Grand Marnier liqueur, and orange zest. Ooh-la-la, indeed. Get our Orange Marmalade Truffles recipe.

Crimean Cocktail

white wine cocktail recipe

Chowhound

A couple more drink suggestions, since this is a cocktail party, after all—this one calls for some of that orange liqueur you’ll have left over from making truffles, and combines it with white wine, lemon juice, and soda water, for a fantastically refreshing sip. It’s a great intro to wine cocktails, and while it’s perfect for summer, there’s no reason not to sip it in winter too. Get our Crimean Cocktail recipe.

Peach Melba Cooler Mocktail

Oscar mocktail recipe

Chowhound

Make sure to offer a mocktail for those abstaining from booze who still want something festive to sip. It’s fizzy, of course; a pale shade of pink often seen on Oscar gowns; and deftly balances the flavors of fruit and herbs. Honestly, it just might steal the whole show. Get our Peach Melba Cooler Mocktail recipe.

Check out more award-worthy recipes, tips, and tricks at our Oscars headquarters, and enter our star-caliber 4K TV giveaway by Feb. 25 for your chance to win best picture!

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

Original story by Chowhound Food Team, updated by Amy Sowder and Jen Wheeler.



from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2txzFhT
via IFTTT

Your 2019 Oscar Party Menu Is Here (And Movie-Themed, Of Course)

2019 Oscar menu (steamed bao pork buns)

And the Oscar for best host in the party-throwing category goes to… you! That is, if you have a themed 2019 Oscar party menu, which we’ve planned for you below. Yes, if you’re planning on watching the 91st Academy Awards with friends, you probably know there are a whole lot of question marks surrounding the actual show. But your Oscar party food will be so on point, nobody will care there’s no, um, host for the first time in 30 years. (Lady Gaga’s mere presence should make up for that gap after all.) And if you haven’t seen all of this year’s nominated films, we’ve made movie magic below with our dinner party ideas for those going in blind (though there’s still time to stream some). Trust us when we say your guests will include you in their individual thank you speeches.

“If Beale Street Could Talk” — Sylvia Woods’ Macaroni and Cheese

easy baked mac and cheese recipe

Chowhound

Directed by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”), “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a fraught love story taking place in late ‘70s Harlem.  Nothing says Harlem cuisine like world-famous, Harlem mainstay Sylvia’s, which was established in 1962. This mac and cheese recipe from her cookbook “Sylvia’s Family Soul Food Cookbook: From Hemingway, South Carolina, To Harlem” is the kind of comfort food your guests will need if Regina King gives the kind of memorable acceptance speech we’re hoping for. Get Sylvia Woods’ Macaroni and Cheese recipe.

Sylvia's Family Soul Food Cookbook, $17.40 on Amazon

Recipes from Hemingway, South Carolina to Harlem.
Cook It

“The Favourite” — Duck Cassoulet

duck cassoulet recipe

Platings and Pairings

Luxury and extravagance are at the forefront of this beautifully directed period piece with its female powerhouse cast including Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, and lead Olivia Colman as Queen Anne. Based on the real life of England’s gluttonous queen, “The Favourite” features one of the most unforgettable recurring comedic cameos ever from a duck named Horatio. The recipe explains itself. Sorry, Horatio. Get the Duck Cassoulet recipe.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” — Disco Truffles

edible glitter chocolate truffles recipe

Sugar Hero

This biopic recounts the important and at times trying life story of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Mercury was nothing if not a musical genius and a true showman, which is why there’s no better way to represent him than with edible glitter. Rich, decadent homemade truffles topped with gold dust…they will, they will, rock you! Get the Disco Truffles recipe.

Wilton Edible Glitter Stars, $4 on Amazon

May as well add some edible gold stars too.
Sprinkle Stardust

“Green Book” — Sicilian Pizza “La Regina”

Sicilian pizza recipe

The Pizza Bible

This true story about a PhD pianist touring the South with Italian-American muscle from the Bronx is a frontrunner for Best Picture, no doubt thanks to standout performances by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. There are plenty of brilliantly acted moments in the film, but who can forget when  Mortensen folds an entire pie in half and shoves it in his mouth, as any good New Yorker with a penchant for ‘za might do? Get the Sicilian Pizza “La Regina” recipe.

“Roma” — Tacos Al Pastor

Tacos al Pastor recipe

Chowhound

This poetic and complicated love letter to Mexico City in the ‘70s explores class, race, and social status as it relates to love and heartbreak. From director Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” is semi-autobiographical and loosely follows Cuarón’s own childhood in Mexico City. And if you’ve been to Mexico City, you know the impressive and expansive food culture there includes the city’s delicious street tacos. Get our Tacos Al Pastor recipe.

“A Star is Born” — Champagne and Roses Cocktail

rose Champagne cocktail recipe

Baking a Moment

Bradley Cooper’s remake of this Judy Garland classic love story has caused a huge splash, with Lady Gaga already having won a Grammy for the addictive hit “Shallow.” They’re expected to win many more awards at the Oscars, which is why we say break out the Champagne! We had to add a dash of rose water though, with “La Vie En Rose” being the song Gaga’s character sings when Cooper’s rockstar character begins to fall for her the first time they meet. Get the Champagne and Roses Cocktail recipe.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (price varies), on Drizly

Get your favorite bubbles delivered straight to your dressing room (or apartment door).
Check Availability

“Vice” — Spaghetti and Meatball Bites

spaghetti and meatball bites appetizer recipe

Pretty Providence

Adam McKay’s scathing take on the 46th Vice President of the United States, played by Christian Bale, follows Dick Cheney throughout his life.  Although the film is wildly complex, one could describe the perception of the former VP and McKay’s views on his time in office as fairly simple. So what better dish to serve than a spin on Cheney’s favorite food in real life, spaghetti? Get the Spaghetti and Meatball Bites recipe.

“Bao” — Steamed Pork Buns

steamed pork buns (bao) recipe

The Woks of Life

Disney Pixar’s adorable short animated film follows two main characters, one of whom is a sweet little bao bun come to life. Obviously, this dish kind of writes itself. After you’re done silently weeping for the entirety of this 5 minute film, get out your steam basket and prepare to make some savory pork bao buns of your own. Get the Steamed Pork Buns recipe.

Essential Chinese Cooking Tools

From steamer baskets to cleavers, these will make authentic Chinese cooking easy at home.
Get Equipped

“Black Panther” — Kenyan Beef Samosas

Kenyan beef samosa recipe

Tasty

Although Wakanda, the setting for “Black Panther,” isn’t real, the Marvel universe places this fictional country somewhere in East Africa, close to Kenya. There are endless think pieces about what Wakandans might eat, and we think samosas, or sambusas, are the perfect dish to represent Wakanda, forever. Get the Kenyan Beef Samosas recipe.

Check out more red carpet-ready recipes, tips, and tricks at our Academy Awards headquarters, and enter our award-worthy 4K TV giveaway by Feb. 25 for your chance to win best picture!

Related Video: Red Carpet Royale Champagne Cocktail with Gold Leaf

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.



from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2EjvMTW
via IFTTT

What Is the Difference Between Caviar and Roe?

The Best Hollywood Restaurants in Celebration of Oscars Week

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, Georgia Is Kind of a Big Deal

St. Patrick's Day in Savannah: where to stay, eat, and drink

If you’re looking for a place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, look no further than Savannah, Georgia.

It’s one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the nation, and features a huge parade perfect for the entire family, as well as lots of drinking and festivities for the older crowd. If you’re wondering why all of this takes place in Savannah, it’s a good question. The first parade was hosted in 1812 by the Hibernian Society, which was formed by prestigious members of the town to help Irish immigrants. In 1824, the parade opened up to the public and the rest is history.

For the 194th parade this year, which will take place on Saturday, March 16 at 10:15 a.m., the town is expecting 300,000 people. (Check out the 2019 Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route to help you pick your top spot, but be prepared for lots of competition.) According to experts at HomeToGo, the largest vacation search engine, online searches for places to stay during the parade week are up 239 percent from the week before.

Visit Savannah

So what’s all the fuss about? The parade will feature decorated floats, bagpipe players, and Irish dancers. One of my personal favorite features of the parade is that they dye all of the fountains green, and even host daylong festivals on Friday and Saturday on River Street, which is easily walkable from the parade. Don’t worry—there’ll be plenty of green beer.

Entertainment

My advice is to grab a shuttle to avoid public parking, and then purchase a $10 wristband so that you can drink outside during the parade and the corresponding festival. During St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll run into entertainment on every street corner, but here are some places not to miss.

River Street

Savannah.com

River Street is the hub of all things St. Patrick’s Day during this weekend. A quick stroll along the cobblestones that border the Savannah River will expose you to quaint riverboats, street vendors, and dozens of bars all displaying their St. Patrick’s Day best.

City Market

City Market, Savannah

Savannah’s City Market, located in the historic district, will be another hub during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. It features dozens of restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife. During St. Patrick’s Day weekend they’ll also have entertainment on two separate stages.

Forsyth Park

Top Deck

Check out the huge green fountain in Forsyth Park, which is actually dyed by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s Grand Marshal. It’s a long-standing Savannah tradition to dye all of the city’s fountains green before St. Patrick’s Day.

Perry Lane Hotel Rooftop Lounge

Perry Lane Hotel

In addition to being a gorgeous place to stay, the Perry Lane Hotel’s rooftop features sweeping views of the city, as well as lawn games, hand-crafted premium cocktails, and a carefully curated wine list. It’s the most beautiful place to hang out with a big group of friends.

Where to Drink After the Parade

After you’ve walked around and watched the parade, which can last up to four hours, you’re definitely going to want some lunch and a beer. Here’s where you should go.

The Rail Pub

In addition to serving up fried chicken and an amazing happy hour, The Rail Pub is home to Savannah’s history. It opened in 1890 and acted as a brothel in an area that used to be known as Savannah’s red light district. Now, they feature a large outdoor courtyard and live music.

Top Deck

Top Deck

This building was originally constructed in 1859 as a cotton factory, but after the parade it will provide gorgeous views of the festivities on River Street. There’s plenty of room for your entire group to grab a cocktail.

Treylor Park

With an outdoor patio that features picturesque twinkle lights and a name that’s sure to elicit a laugh from everyone in your group, this spot is not to be missed. In addition to serving up craft beer and cocktails, they also feature menu items like PB&J chicken wings and fish stick tacos.

Where to Grab a Nice Dinner

The Olde Pink House

The Olde Pink House

Construction was started on this bright pink mansion in 1771—and the red bricks bled through the white plaster, making its pink hue a delightful accident. In the 1920s, a woman purchased the house and painted the entire thing pink before opening a tearoom. Now, the location is known for specialties like their cornbread fried oysters and grilled pork tenderloin with bourbon molasses.

Moss & Oak Savannah Eatery

This eatery features a stunning view of River Street, as well as Savannah-style cast iron dishes that will have your mouth watering. Whether you’re craving a steak or shrimp and grits, Moss & Oak has you covered.

700 Drayton

700 Drayton

Located in the luxurious new mansion in Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton is a stunning dining destination. Start with the southbound lager beer mussels, taste their cider braised pork chop, and polish it off with their Georgia bourbon pecan pie.



from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2BLaVav
via IFTTT