Indulge in a Culinary Journey Through Mardi Gras Food Celebrations Across Loews Hotels
From tasting dinners to festive cocktails, experience the tastes of the Big Easy
The vibrant and lively celebration that is Mardi Gras marks the culmination of the Carnaval season. While New Orleans may be the undisputed home of Mardi Gras, you can experience the rich and flavorful cuisine that defines this celebration across the country and throughout various Loews Hotels.
Chicagoland Area: The Ashburn at Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel
Get a taste of the French Quarter with a feast fit for a king. Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel’s restaurant, The Ashburn, kicks off its new quarterly dinner series, Sip and Savor, with a Mardi Gras feast in partnership with Maplewood Brewery & Distillery. Guests can enjoy a six course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Chuck Gillis where each course will be paired with a custom crafted cocktail from Maplewood. This unforgettable culinary journey will be held on Friday, February 2 for $85/person.
Perfect for a date night with an overnight stay, the hotel offers luxurious and spacious accommodations in the heart of Rosemont, IL with rates starting at $149/night++.
Universal Orlando Resort: Mardi Gras-inspired food, drinks and fun.
All the hotels at Universal Orlando Resort are letting the good times roll from February 3 through April 7, while Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is underway.
Guests can savor (and sip) the flavors of this annual event with special limited-time menu items like the crawfish and andouille sausage egg roll and an Orchid cocktail at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, the Boulevardier at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel or the Mardi Gras empanada or French 75 at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Insider tip: for a sweet and tasty treat, check out the chocolate bombs decorated with purple, green and gold from Tuk Tuk Market in the lobby of Royal Pacific.
New Orleans: Festive Cocktails, Colorful Decor and Live Music
There's nothing like experiencing carnival season in New Orleans. Between January 6 through Fat Tuesday (always the day before Ash Wednesday), parades cruise through the streets upon ornate floats as people in colorful costumes toss beads, doubloons, go-cups, Muses shoes and Zulu's coveted coconuts into the crowds below to those shouting "throw me something, mister!" Located within two blocks of nearly all parade routes, guests of Loews New Orleans Hotel are close enough to the revelry without concern for commotion on the sidewalks just below their window. Upon your first step inside the lobby, two larger-than-life jesters greet you for what is sure to be a memorable stay. While a jazzy piano player can always be found in our lobby on the weekends, a four-piece second-line band will be playing on Friday, February 9, 2024. And, all season long, pull up a seat at Bar Peters and order one of our signature Mardi Gras-themed cocktails:
- King Cake Martini made with vanilla vodka and king cake rum cream
- Bourbon Street Blues with Bywater bourbon, blueberry syrup and lemon juice garnished with mint and blueberries
- Throw Me Something, Mister made with 1800 Silver, Blue Curacao, orange juice, lime juice and Grand Marnier
During carnival season and beyond, consider booking our hotel package "Eat. Drink. Our Treat" for a nightly dining credit to savor the uniquely New Orleans flavors served at Poydras & Peters.
