I stumbled upon Mara's Homemade (http://newyork.nearsay.com/nyc/chelsea/restaurants-beer-bourbon-bbq-festival-bacon-hot-sauce-popcorn-whiskey-bubbys-wild-turkey-tasting-class) at the Beer-Bourbon-BBQ festival last month where I had their awesome Grits w/Bacon, Cheese, & Jalapenos. I figured that they must be from down south & googled them...well it turns out that they are...if you live north of 6th street & Ave A... I then passed by them on my way to meet some friends for drinks in the area & when I saw Mara's Homemade's menu I knew I had to hit this place.
Last week one of my best friends Paul was in from out of town on a business trip & wanted to catch up. As usual we had to make a stop at McSorleys so he could pay homage to the Beer Gods...from there we popped in at the 13th Step for a beer & catch the Knicks pre-game show (the college crowd on the prowl)...then it was time to eat. He asked me where next...threw a few choices at him & when he checked out Mara's Homemade on-line his eyes lit up...so we headed on over. While it was busy on a Thursday night they were abe to squeeze us in (literally).
We started with Andygator beers from Abita & then started go through the menu...which for the record I hate...as in I hate it because there are so many choices jumping off the page trying to get in my belly (I mean pre-abs in training)! There are not only loads of appi's & main dishes primarily w/seafood...but then there is an entire section of BBQ on the next page. Don't even get me started on the full page of deserts on the back of the menu...
We started with the Crawfish Mac & Cheese (very tough craw-choice between this & the stuffed bread or cheesecake...not counting the craw boils) which was loaded w crawfish tails & delicious (a piece on like delights... Crustaceans w/Mac & Cheese will be forthcoming)! From there we both decided to stay healthy & go with some nice good for you Catfish. Paul went Creole that was in a as he described awesome buffalo wing like sauce w/tomatoes, onion & collard greens. After the 2CheeseCrawMac I needed to go green & healthy so I went with the Josh...lightly cornmeal dusted & flash-fried, covered in gulf coast shrimp & crawfish that were smothered in a spicy cheese sauce...with collard greens on the side...thus healthy & green:) I washed the rest of this down with another beer. We never quite made it to dessert...though the Red Velvet Cake & Bluegrass Pie did sound pretty awesome...my Heart told my stomach where it could go while my brain was screaming at my heart to shut up.Appi's are in the $5-12 range, entrees average $22 & deserts clock in at $7.00 I'm amazed that we can get Cajun/Creole this good outside of the Big Easy so like the man said...I'll be back...fo sho...true dat!
Mara's Homemade - located at 342 E 6th Street (btwn 1st & 2nd Ave)
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