I'm an LA Weekly Food Blogger!

Thanks to everyone who has followed Pardon My Crumbs. It's an absolutely joy to write, especially as I'm able to follow a lifelong passion and share my favorite recipes, restaurants and foodie experiences with you.

Last week, I was asked by LAWeekly contributers if I would be interested in joining their Squid Ink Food Blogging team. Like I even needed time to process the offer; instead, I jumped at it!

So here's my first post, which you can find at LAWeekly.com. Enjoy!

Dominick's Mardi Gras Menu: A Taste of NOLA in LA

By Christie Bishop, Monday, February 15, 2010 @ 10:00am

If you watched the New Orleans Saints win the Super Bowl, you know that Mardi Gras started especially early this year. And if you weren't able to get to Miami or, subsequently, to New Orleans for the celebration--Mardi Gras is tomorrow--not to worry. Dominick's andLittle Dom's are bringing an authentic taste of New Orleans to a table near you. Well, at least if you live near Silver Lake or West Hollywood.

Brandon Boudet, Dominick's Executive Chef and New Orleans native, has created a menu designed to celebrate his Louisiana hometown and his fondest Mardi Gras memories. With traditional dishes including gumbo, muffaletta, Jambalaya, red beans and rice, suckling pig Po' Boys and mini King Cakes, diners will be treated to some of Boudet's favorite Big Easy bites. Not to mention affordable, with each dish ranging in price from $4 to $8.

The Mardi Gras menu is "a taste of what I grew up on," says Boudet. "You wake up really early on Mardi Gras day to claim your spot [on the parade route], with the smell of fried food in the air." Boudet's childhood memories also inspired him to include fresh beignets and fried crawfish pie on the menu, which is served through Fat Tuesday, February 16.

So head down to Dominick's or Little Dom's and get your Mardi Gras party on. But be careful; as New Orleans tradition dictates, if you find the baby in the King Cake, dinner's on you.

Dominick's: 8715 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles; (310) 652-2335.

Little Dom's: 2128 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles; (323) 661-0055.