Food Gone Wild: Phat Options for Mardi Gras

King of Cakes at Oak Mill Bakery (Photo: Carly Fisher)

You've already failed at those superficial diet resolutions from New Year's, so why not give it another go with 40 days of denying yourself sweets, meats and other indulgences for Lent? But before you atone on Ash Wednesday, it's a Mardi Gras hedonistic free-for-all! If you can't make it to N'awlins on February 16, here are five Chicago restaurants providing comparable options for unbridled debauchery (Within reason. Let's keep it classy).

Big Jones

(5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725)

Executive Chef Paul Fehribach seems to have casually whipped out the perfect Mardi Gras menu of muffulettas, fritters and chile-cheese crawfish etouffee, right down to the King Cake, a sweet yeast cake filled with pecan butter and brown sugar. Keeping with tradition, if you get a king cake baby in your slice, you’ll win something special. By "special," we're hoping delicious.

Carnivale

(702 W. Fulton, 312-850-5005)

When your restaurant's concept is 365 days of Mardi Gras, it's kind of a slap in the face if you don't do some crazy shit on Fat Tuesday. If an evening of live music, Brazilian dancers and stilt walkers doesn't impress you, at least you'll have Mark Mendez's menu to blow your mind.

Heaven on Seven

(600 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-7774)

Face painters, live music from Professor John and beads — lots of beads, judging from the hundred or so hanging from Chef Jimmy Bannos's neck on the Heaven on Seven website. House favorites like Mardi Gras Jambalaya and Hoppin' John will be on hand, as well as a free slice of King Cake for every patron, flown in straight from party central in New Orleans.

Goose Island Clybourn

(1800 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-915-0071)

Taste of New Orleans without the cheesy festivities, Chef Andrew Hroza is breaking out the beer, bisque and beignets for a special Cajun-inspired beer dinner on Mardi Gras. The four-course dinner includes an amuse and five beer pairings for $40 (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with pairings such as Cajun surf 'n' turf with Lake Effect Imperial Red Ale and bourbon bread pudding souffle with Rind Grind Espresso Stout.

Smoke Daddy

(1804 W. Division St., 773-772-6656)

Trade in the winter blues for purple, green and yellow at Smoke Daddy's Fat Tuesday party. Louisiana brewery, Abita Brewing Company, will be sharing the Southern love with a free tasting from 7-10 p.m and a live performance by Cajun zydeco band, Carpetbaggers Local 606.