Portland is pretty far away from NOLA, both geographically and culturally, but that doesn’t mean the city doesn’t love a good Fat Tuesday celebration. A number of restaurants are offering specials for the holiday, while a few larger parties can be found around town. Let us know any fun Mardi Gras parties we may have missed at our Facebook or Twitter.

 

The Urban Restaurant Group is hosting a Mardi Gras fest at its Urban Studio, with live music, food, drink, and performances. Tickets are $10 advance ($15 at the door), and the party includes body painters, aerial dancers, and free food for the first hour. For the entirety, find music, food specials and classic NOLA drinks like sazeracs, hurricanes, and viex carrés. (935 NW Davis St.; 8 PM to 12 AM)

 

Authentic Southern restaurant EaT is celebrating Mardi Gras with specials all day. Live music, $1 oysters, and holiday specials like a Cajun style crawfish boil and King Cake will have guests feeling like they were transported to New Orleans. (3808 North Williams Ave. #122; 503-281-1222)

 

Cajun restaurant Acadia is celebrating simply but deliciously, with a three course dinner for just $25 that includes salad, a choice of Mardi Gras entree (wild catfish, Cajun jambalaya, etc), and King Cake. Whoever find the baby in the cake will win a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant. Reservations can be made by calling. (1303 NE Fremont St; 503-249-5001)

 

Vietnamese/Cajun restaurant Tapalaya kicked off its celebration with Twelfth Night on January 6, and will be celebrating up and to Fat Tuesday. Reggie Houston and Friends, a New Orleans jazz saxophone group, will be playing on the holiday from 6 to 9 PM, the entire place is decked out in the traditional colors, and plenty of Mardi Gras specials will be available, including King Cake. Reservations for February 13th are strongly recommended. (28 NE 28th Ave.; 503-232-6652)

 

The annual Mississippi Ave Parade starts at 7 PM at Victoria and marches all the way down the street, with bars and restaurants along the route participating with specials. Join up and march with the crowd, or sit with a drink in hand and watch the proceedings. Radar will be serving up a Hurricane Daiquiri special, while Rambler Bar, with its excellent patio to watch the parade from, will have a series of drinks and food specials. (4835 N Albina St.)

Photo via Aubrie LeGault