Got Gumbo?, Plum Street & Pandora's Open, & More

NOLA— Native New Orleanian/5 Fifty 5 kitchen supervisor Deborah Sam's gumbo won big at the United Ways' recent Got Gumbo? Cook Off, winning both best traditional/people's choice awards, Judy Walker reports. Other winners include Oceana Grill (seafood gumbo,) Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse (ironically, vegetarian gumbo) and Bourbon House ('exotic' gumbo). [NOLA.com]

IRISH CHANNEL— Don't forget (how could you?) that the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club rolls at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Robert Morris has all the gory details, including this: "On its final leg, the parade will pass by Third Street, where Tracey's and Parasol's will both be hosting their annual block parties. Tracey's is at 2604 Magazine, and will have green beer, corned beef and cabbage." Parasol's will have food, booze, live entertainment too. [UptownMessenger]

NOLA— It's snoball season, and Todd A. Price reports that Plum Street has reopened, and also from the line down Carrollton, it's evident that Pandora's has opened as well. Hansen's Sno-Bliz and Imperial Woodpecker have already opened too. [NOLA.com, Eaterwire]

MANDEVILLE— Kim Chatelain reports that "a former wine bar in Mandeville is being converted into upscale casual restaurant named after a Cajun card game. Bourre' is expected to open at 22 St. Ann Drive in late April." [NOLA.com]

Inside Plum Street Snoballs [Photo: Todd Voltz]