Nola on the Square hosts Mardi Gras Downtown

Nola on the Square hosts a Mardi Gras bash today, and the celebration is as much about food inspired by New Orleans as it is the beer.

Starting at 5 p.m. chef de cuisine Len Pisano will offer house-made andouille corn dogs with chow chow. Nola willl feature a shrimp boil with hush puppies as well as crab and lobster etouffee. For hearty appetites, the kitchen will offer short-rib-pastrami sliders with aged cheddar as well as Cajun fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. 

From 5 to 7 p.m. representatives from Louisiana-based Abita Brewing will be on  hand to give away swag. There will be live music and face painting, too.

"We had a great turnout for Mardi Gras 2012 and we are expecting an even bigger crowd this year," said Mr. Pisano.  "We aim to make Nola on the Square the best place to celebrate and hope to get more Pittsburghers involved in a fun holiday that often gets overlooked up North."

Nola on the Square photo