Although it is just now officially my birthday, I celebrated my 30th year on this planet at the Ernie K-Doe Mother-In-Law Lounge Saturday evening. My husband must have realized how terribly I was handling this impending milestone birthday, so he decided I should have a party. Well, everyone knows how much I love a party, so needless to say, I thought it was a great idea. We knew what we wanted to do, but where was an issue. It was so last-minute, and me being the Persnickety Snickerson that I am, would not have my party at just any boring old place. When it was impossible to get in touch with most bar and club management that I would even consider patronizing, Ms. Betty Fox at the Mother-In-Law Lounge pulled through for us. Not only did she let me bring in my own awesome DJ, friend and local performer Arajay, but she asked if we wanted her to make a pot of the lounge’s famous red beans and rice. How could we decline?

Now, if you haven’t been to the Mother-In-Law Lounge, you don’t know what you are missing out on. Not only is the Lounge rich with musical history, being host to a plethora of performing artists in almost all imaginable genres, I have never had a better plate of red beans than from the late Ernie K-Doe’s joint. With the passing of Ms. Antoinette this past Mardi Gras, I wasn’t sure that the red beans served up at my party could match them, but I was most certainly happy to be wrong. I told my girlfriend (and NOLA-Eats.com veggie contributor) Daniele that if there were ever a thing existed that she should stray from vegetarianism for, it would be the beans Ms. Betty Fox made that night. I am a terrible New Orleans native and don’t even particularly care for most red bean recipes, but Ms. Betty’s were thick and creamy, but not broken down, and very heavy on the pig. I don’t think I have ever had beans that were so savory, yet still retained that “bean” integrity. The only thing in the Lounge that night that packed more oomph than the beans was the “Burn, K-Doe, Burn” birthday shot Ms. Betty bestowed upon me — two cherries in a fiery liquor that indeed burned. Ms. Betty said her mother “took that recipe to the grave with her”, and I believe it. I am pretty sure those babies had been marinating since the opening of the Lounge.

I would like to thank Ms. Betty and her family for hosting the best party I have ever had. Their warmth and hospitality is a prime example of why people love this city so damn much. If you are searching for a venue for your next party,  I encourage you to call up Ms. Betty at the lounge and she will make you feel like family. The Mother-In-Law Lounge needs your support now more than ever before.

I would also like to thank all of my friends for attending and bringing such thoughtful, personalized gifts. I’m still playing with all of the beautiful goodies I received! Last, but certainly not least, huge props to my best friend, my husband, who not only pulled it off, but made my night so very special. I love all of you more than I could ever say.