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4 classic Louisiana crawfish dishes for live crawfish season, Lent: gumbo, étouffée, pasta and cream and the classic crawfish boil
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Mudbugs, crawdads, crayfish whatever you call them, crawfish season has arrived and we’re ready to get cooking with those delectable crustaceans. But first, some fun facts about the little buggers.
If you’re unfamiliar with crawfish, there’s a whole field of study dedicated to the things called “astacology.” In fact, there are enough astacologists out there that an organization dubbed International Association of Astacology was founded in 1972 to “encourage the scientific study, conservation and wise utilization” of crawfish.
Current happenings: The Los Angeles Chargers and Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar are sponsoring adoption fees for some specially selected pets over the next two weeks. Our “Football Fuzzies” are all fun dogs and cats who are looking for their pawfect teammates! Check them out here: https://animalcenter.org/adopt-a-pet/football-fuzzies
Doggie Gras Float and Costume Contest: Voting starts Tuesday Feb. 16 for “people’s choice award” in the Doggie Gras Float and Costume Contest. The annual event encourages animal-lovers to dress up their pets in New Orleans-inspired ensembles and/or create a Mardi Gras parade float for their pet! Last minute entries will be accepted through Tuesday. Feb. 16. Entries are a $10 donation. Participation supports the orphan pets and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center! To register or vote click here: https://animalcenter.org/events/doggie-gras-virtual
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When I was researching my recent story about how TSU grads have become so important to the local hospitality industry, several people mentioned that Willie Bâs Kitchen & Lounge was making quite an impact in the historic Buchanan Street neighborhood, despite opening during the middle of the pandemic. I recalled seeing that owner Christopher Jones had indeed opened his new restaurant after years of operating a food truck, but I thought it was more of a nighttime destination â and Iâm not doing a lot of driving after dark lately.
I was wrong.
While Willie Bâs is indeed a stylish lounge with the kind of evening entertainment amenities that you would expect from a nighttime hotspot â DJ booth, VIP room, hookah service â itâs also a very good option for a midday meal, especially if you love New Orleans-inspired food as much as I do. Jones is originally from Memphis, but as Willie B s manager Marie Echols told me on my re
Valentine’s Day
• San Diego Oasis offers virtual classes for older adults, including “
The Heart as a Symbol of Love: A History” at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12. Instructor Kim Keeline will trace the origins of the symbol, its usage and the traditions that spread to Valentine’s Day, including wacky Victorian postcards and other ways we tell people we care about them. $10.
• The La Jolla Community Center presents “
Valentine’s Day: Wine and Chocolate Pairing and Tasting” at noon Friday, Feb. 12, online. Certified wine specialist Stefano Poggi will lead the event. Each tasting will include two wines and four chocolate truffles. $50 for Community Center members; $55 for non-members. Register at
Unsurprisingly, Mardi Gras won’t be the same this year at Courthouse’s Bayou Bakery.
But that doesn’t mean that the decade-old, New Orleans-inspired eatery is out of fresh ideas for Tuesday’s festivities.
This year, the restaurant is offering a take-home “Mardi Gras in a Box,” which includes a king cake with a do-it-yourself decorating kit, beads, masks, a murder mystery party game, and Pat O’Brien’s signature Hurricane mix.
The party in a box is intended for six to eight people and costs $135.
“Knowing that really no one is going to large events or celebrating Mardi Gras anywhere, what we did is brought a kit… so that basically the party comes to you,” says David Guas, chef and owner of Bayou Bakery.