Duck Soup in Marrero, Donuts, & All Things King Cake

MARRERO— Brett Anderson's suggestion for dealing with this cold weather snap is a trip to Marrero's Pho Ga Quang Minh, which specializes in chicken soup, yes, but also an epic duck soup: "There's a full, dark-skinned leg in the bowl. Chopsticks pull the meat easily from the bone. The egg noodles are firmer and fleshier than pho's rice vermicelli, and you'll want to get your head down close to the bowl so as to slurp them without splashing broth onto your face." [NOLA.com]

MID CITY/UPTOWN— More pressing news for donut-fiends this week, courtesy of Jyl Benson: The original Blue Dot is now partnering with chefs to do a $15 savory donut/wine pairing every other Saturday afternoon, and District has a weekly black-and-gold variety, including a balsamic-caramel glaze topped with cracklins. [MyNewOrleans.com]

MID CITY— A car ran into the front of Parkview Tavern this weekend, thankfully while the bar was closed, Della Hasselle reports: "The car crash caused significant structural damage, breaking two 80 by 72 inch glass pane windows, "mangling" part of the bar's awning and knocking over video poker machines, according to Anderson." [MidCityMessenger]

METAIRIE— Maurice's French Pastries' French style king cake is up on day 3 of 58 of The Times-Pic sugary Carnival bloatation fest: "The round cakes made with puff pastry are decorated with a cutout fleur-de-lis and baked to golden brown. The shiny, crispy, puffed-up crust holds the not-too-sweet frangipane, and slices so beautifully. And, it travels quite well." [NOLA.com]

CITY PARK— Ralph's on The Park will be offering mini personalized king cakes from until Lundi Gras at lunch, dinner, and brunch. The brioche-style cakes serve 2, and guests can choose their own spreads including Louisiana strawberry preserves and cream cheese icing. [EaterWire]

NOLA— Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House is doing a King Cake Cocktail until Lundi Gras with Old New Orleans Rum, orgeat, local citrus and housemade vanilla gelato. PJ's Coffee has a King Cake Coffee blend available at all PJ's locations until March. The retail location of La Dolce Nola may be closed but you can pick up their award-winning king cakes at Artz Bagelz, Pizza NOLA, Koz's Lakeview, Lakeview Brew Coffee Cafe (order at (504)832-1122). [EaterWire]

Donuts at District [Photo: Josh Brasted]