Tequila on a Choo Choo and Dining out for Cats & Dogs

During one Sunday morning recap after a rather rowdy bachelor party, Rene described Legend's Saturday night temperament as "a nightmare trainwreck on acid." Most of us never come close to such an experience (nor particularly desire to do so). However, if there exists a safe and enjoyable way to come close to that edge, then it's probably on the Patrón Tequila Epicurean Express. And yes, tequila will be involved.

This week the Patrón Tequila Epicurean Express rolls into Union Terminal to help raise money for the St. Bernard Project, which the helps people of St. Bernard Parish get back on their feet, back in their houses, and back to work following Katrina, and more recently, the oil spill. On Thursday from 6-9 pm, $50 gets you entry to a cocktail party aboard the train with hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Aaron Burgau of Patois, plus Patrón cocktails prepared by a local mixologist. For the high rollers willing to shell out the $250 price tag, a five course dinner will be served aboard the train on Saturday night for a maximum of 25 people. Chefs preparing the dinner are Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace, Chris Lusk of Café Adelaide, and Nathan Gresham of Galatoire's Baton Rouge. Each course will be paired with Patrón cocktails prepared by Steven Wilshire of Bar Tonique. Tickets to both events can be purchased online.

Also this Thursday is the Louisiana SPCA's first annual "Pause for Dinner." During regular dinner hours, participating restaurants will donate 20% of their proceeds to the Louisiana SPCA. In addition, The George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts (GRFA) is offering a new Blue Dog print at each restaurant for silent auction. The silkscreen print, titled The Three Amigos, is not available to the general public, and is only available to non-profit organizations for fundraising purposes. Even though I am currently regretting my offer to dogsit for a golden retriever puppy, I am still a lifelong dog lover who greatly appreciates the support which these restaurants have pledged toward the LASPCA. If you were looking for an excuse to avoid doing the dishes on Thursday night, well then you just found one.

Participating Restaurants - Bistro Daisy, Broussard's, Cafe Amelie, Cafe Degas, Cafe Rani, EAT, Gott Gourmet, Kyoto, La Peniche, La Petite Grocery, Mark Twain's Pizza, Martinique, Meauxbar, Mona Lisa, Pinkberry, Santa Fe, Semolina, Tomatillo's, Vega Tapas, Zoe Restaurant.