Mardi Gras

I hosted my book club event here and everyone enjoyed themselves from the drinks to the main dish. Our waiter was awesome and very detailed with the specialities of the day. All eight of us really had a great time. They all said "WE WILL BE BACK," which I was glad to here since these women can be so harsh on their ratings. All in all it was two thumbs us.

Pros: food, service, decor

Cons: i found none

Posted 04/29/09

Mardi Gras is the best restaurant ever!!! The food is amazing and the drinks please you would have to go yourself and really try it. It's prompt seating but on some days like Friday nights or Saturday nights it tends to get busy so you might have to wait a bit. It doesn't matter the place is worth the wait. There mango mojito is delicious and their stuff crabmeat shrimp is the priceless!!! Go and see for yourself you won't be disappointed.

Geisha

Pros: Great service, food and drinks!!!

Cons: It might be pricey for some people!!!

Posted 04/29/08

I have been going to Mardi Gras for about five years now and this is one of my favorite restaurants. I am always seated very quickly, and if i do not like that particular table they will move me if they have the space available. I always request my favorite waiter, of course most of the wait staff is good but i have a favorite. The food is always cooked very well, i recommend you try the jalapeno mashed potatoes with the voodoo chicken, and for desert the banana forster. You will love the atmosphere, the wait staff, and the food.

Jessica
Glendale, NY

Pros: Ambience, service

Cons: No parking, trying to stuff to many tables in a small space

Posted 02/13/08

I am soooooo disappointed in this restauarant. Apparently, new yorkers do not know anything about cajun/creole food. Actually, there is a difference in the style of cooking between the two, but there is not enough space to discuss that fact. I am a direct decendant from Louisiana creoles, so I am extremely qualified to diss this restaurant because I was raised on the cooking and was taught how to perpare the food. I purposely tried the so-called commercial items, because I would that would be a indicator of chef's knowledge of the food. The gumbo was bland lacking file along with other spices (can't tell you what they were of else my grandma would disown me!). I also had the po-boy sandwich and red beans and rice. Word to the wise, red beans and rice should never be sweet period! Po boy sandwiches always have tarter sauce, the tomatos are thinly sliced, and the lettuce is never real lettuce (thinly sliced cabbage, or lettuce similar to what is used in coleslaw is normally used). The only thing that was maybe close to the real deal was the bread pudding, because it included a praline (which was yummy) , however there was no burbeon sauce to accompany this. Waitress was good/okay. People who are raised on louisiana creole/cajun food will not appreciate this restaurant at all, but new yorkers will because most of them have no idea what real deal is.

Posted 09/02/07

Went there on a Saturday night for a quick drink, the tables were relatively yet they would not let us sit because we only wanted appetizers. We had to try to squeeze into the crowded bar. The drinks were a bit week, food as ok at best. The only upside was the bartender was friendly.

Pros: decent food

Cons: no table seating if you're not eating a meal

Posted 09/01/07

I love the Jambalaya here. This dish alone is worth coming here. But the attraction doesn't stop there. The Banana Foster is delicious, and the atmosphere can be as intimate as you want it to be. If you like jazz and live bands, then you should come here on Thursday. I prefer weekend brunch and walking thru the neighborhood. The waitstaff are friendly and they remember you and your preferences.

Pros: Jambalaya and Banana Fosters

Cons: The live jazz band can be loud for some.

Posted 08/21/07

Since moving to Forest Hills in March 2007, Mardi Gras has quickly become my favorite restaurant in the area. I have eaten there at least 5 times and I'm going tonight to make it 6. The food is incredible - the mussels are a must-have! Also worth trying off the appetizer menu is the shrimp bisque (regular special) and the calamari. Everything is a little spicy so if you do not like spicy, beware. The blackened chicken and shrimp special that they have quite often is one of the best entrees I've ever tasted. Also try the stuffed shrimp, Mardi Gras salmon and the seafood pasta. Obviously, you have to like seafood!

As for the service, it can be on and off. I've been there a few times and been seated promptly and had a great waiter. There have also been times I have encountered problems. The service can be slow sometimes and the waiters not very friendly. But on a good night, everything is perfect and I couldn't ask for a better dinner. It is worth the risk. The place is much less crowded on weekdays but even on weekends I have not had to wait long for a table. They do take reservations for dinner before 6pm (although you probably don't need them that early). From my experience, it does not get crowded until around 8pm on any night. But it can sometimes feel crowded even when it isn't because the tables are small and very close together.

All in all, even with my few negative comments, it is still my favorite restaurant in Forest Hills (maybe even ever) and it is always worth it just to eat those mussels!!!

Pros: FOOD!!!! Everything I've eaten is amazing!!!

Cons: Service can be good or bad depending on the night. Tables are sometimes too close together and very cramped.

Posted 08/09/07

Jazz on Thursday nights only! The foold is good, desert is excellent, wait staff kinda slow. The bar is seriously crowded. Thursday's are best!!

Posted 04/26/07

If you want to cheat on your diet, go for the Cajun fried chicken or the gumbo. I like the food there, it's pretty good. The atmosphere is unique and fun, but the space is cramped and the tables are small. I've dined there a couple of times and every time I feel the wait staff is extremely friendly but the flow of their service is very slow. Most recently (New Year's Eve, with lots of open tables around us) the service was horrible and we were 'forgotten' about from the time our food arrived until we sat there, finished with our meals waiting for our server to come by so we could ask for the check -- it was pretty bad. As a former server, you should check back "three bites" into the meal to see if everyone is satisfied, if you can't make it back in three bites then you need to at least check back for refills on drinks (esp. at a CAJUN place), this was not our experience. We easily sat there for 1/2 hour with no one stopping by. Isolated incident, but it will keep us away for a while...good food though.

Pros: great boneless fried chicken and friendly wait staff

Cons: slow wait staff/service

Posted 01/04/07

Very nicely decorated place. The food sometimes is excellent, other times its just average, even if you order the same. Service is terrible at best. For a romantic setting you have to go upstairs or stay up front, DO NOT approach the bar, where everyone is loud and obnoxious. Prices are reasonable.

Pros: Food, full bar, ambiance

Cons: Parking, service

Posted 10/23/06

We were seated promptly for a Saturday lunch, but service was incredibly slow. One waitress was downright rude when we asked for the check. The food was okay, but nothing to write home about and it was not worth being treated rudely for. Skip this restaurant if you want spend a relaxing Saturday.

Posted 08/04/06

I have gone here several times, it is absoutely romantic, weekdays are way less busy then the weekend, which is hetic!!! Generally you dont wait long for seating, the food is AMAZING, the atmosphere is classic to the cajun style. My only negative would be rarely seating on the main floor, and with a knee injury its a pain in the butt to use the stairs since the restroom are downstairs aswell.

Pros: cozy, romantic, great food

Cons: small, cramped tables

Posted 02/26/06

This was my fist time to Mardi Gras and I absolutely loved it! The Big Easy Platter Appitizer was the best. For dinner we had the Ribs and Filet Minon both equally amazing! For drinks we orderd the Purple Rain and Blue Hawaian. All of these were very good with the Purple Rain the best. I did not care for the Mashed Potatoes, they tasted similar to that of boxed mashed potatoes but that is my only complaint! We went late on a Friday and were seated right away. Make reservations if going earlier in the night.

Pros: Friendly Wait Staff, Great Decor, Great Food

Posted 01/27/06

I was shopping a round the area and I decide to eat at mardi gras. My first impression was the live JAZZ MUSIC, the plase was nice decord, waiter are very attend, food was incredible, the food prices less than $25.00, you must try the hurricane mmm...
PD: come try your self!!!

Pros: good food, nice atmosphere, good service

Cons: parking

Posted 10/21/05

The food is excelent..
The place is neat and clean..
Service is impecable
100% recommended for party or groups..

Posted 10/20/05

I was there last thursday with my friends to celebrate my birthday. All the servers and the manager brought me a yumy banana foster dessert and sang the happy birthday for me. My friends enjoyed a lot the life jazz band that was performing that night. The food, specially the coconut shrimp I had were just delicious. Servers and managers are great and friendly. We all got out of there very happy and with some bids on our necks.

Pros: food portions are big, nice neighborhood, two floors

Cons: parking on the street, second floor gets hot

Posted 10/20/05

I went with my friends this past saturday.It's a cozy place (very New Orleans).Great food, not very spicy like it sounds,try the BIG EASY PLATTER good choice for sharing.Ask for the cocktail menu it has a plenty selection of drinks. Good service, food on time, for dessert I recomend the BREAD PUTTING my favorite!!!!!!!!!!
Definitively I'll be back again.

Pros: exellent food, nice decord, good service

Cons: parking

Posted 10/18/05

My girlfriend and I went here recently to try some authentic cajun food. At most, I would consider the food average. The prices weren't that reasonable, and to make matters worse, the wait staff and manager were not courteous. Recommendation - Look elsewhere for an authentic cajun experience.

Posted 06/01/05

This is one of the worst Cajun cooking I have ever tasted. They load up the food with MSG to improve the taste. You will find yourself very thirsty an hour after you eat.
Atmosphere is nice.

Posted 03/15/05

The service is very good, the decor is very lively- and the BBQ Ribs are to die for! Order the jalapeno cheddar potatoes- My meal tasted like mom's homemade cooking!

Posted 11/21/03

And I'm talking about the tempurature inside the restaurant. The AC wasn't working very well but at least we were seated near a window and could open it. The food was excellent, Al.E. Gator Pops are the best, and I suggest the jalepeno chedder mashed potatoes as a side mmm mmm. The place itself is fun and great to take a date (if they like spicey food). There's a bar downstairs and seating upstairs, a spot by the front windows at night is nice :) Dinner comes with a bread basket with corn muffins (theres chocolate on the bottom yummy).

Pros: Good Food, fast seating

Cons: service a little slow, pricey

Posted 06/25/03

What a nice place! From the minute you walked in. The hostess was pleasant, she took us to our table immediately. The waiter, Maurico was courteous and pleasant. He made us feel right at home with his friendly attitude. The food was excellent, the jolly ranchers drinks terrific!! The music was jamming. Since it was my friends birthday, the staff came over and sang Happy birthday for her and brought her a piece of scrumptious chocolate cake. Thanks Mardi Gras, we will be back!

Posted 05/16/03

Food is a little below average ..Pork chops is probably the best choice on the menu. The Jambalya is spicy but worth ordering. This place has declined from few years back.. but still worth going to check out.

Posted 04/26/03

Excellent restaurant. I loved it. It had everything I wished for. The food was great, the service was great. What else can I say?

Pros: Inexpensive, Nice Area, Fine Service

Posted 03/12/03

The food is just not that good to warrent the prices. It doesn't taste very authentic either.
Don't waste your money.

Posted 01/23/03

I just went for brunch this Sunday (my first time going.) Definitely get the Eggs Mardi Gras if you can. I've been to this place at all other times and the food has been consistently good. Not having been to NOLA, I can't speak about its authenticity, but if someone is really concerned about that I think a roundtrip flight is under $300.00. If not, just enjoy yourself here.

Posted 10/13/02

GOOD OL' COMFORT FOOD at its best!!! If you ever feel like down home southern cookin' in a fun party atmosphere THIS IS THE PLACE!!! You get so much for your money and will have a good time while you eat genuine southern Cajun cuisine. Everything from Meatloaf to Crawfish to Aligator! And they have a great staff and great bartenders!!! Thursday night is LIVE JAZZ NIGHT!!!

Pros: value, fun, comfort food

Cons: loud, not at all elegant

Posted 10/12/02

I love their "Slap Your Mama Silly Ribs". It's delicious! And their mashed potato is great too, as is their Creole Shrimp. I don't care for the interiors - kind of feel like you're eating in an attic, but the ribs make up for it. The waiters are very friendly...almost too friendly, but better than those snobby ones!

Posted 09/16/02

Ok, I've been to many cajun restaurants in my day and this one certainly does NOT take the cake! Although the wait staff was friendly, the atmosphere was not. The lighting is dim to completely dark and there is nothing there that reminds me of Mardi Gras. Aside from the drinks, the food is tasteless and boring considering the prices. I've had a better chicken sandwhich at Burger King!

Posted 08/27/02