THREE POINTS
There's a lot of crazy Saints stuff out there, but here's one welcome newbie to the Who Dat Nation: Pamplona Tapas Bar bartender Luke Tullos mixed up an homage to the Super Bowl-bound Saints this week that is a sure shot - the Who Dat cocktail tastes as good as it looks.
SAINTS CENTRAL
Louisiana Hot Stuff, located in the Target Center on Ambassador Caffery Parkway, has been transformed into Saints Central.
MASKED MAN
The marvelous convergence of the season that knights the Super Bowl-bound Saints as Mardi Gras royalty also spins off into Saints-themed carnival wear.
THREE POINTS
There's a lot of crazy Saints stuff out there, but here's one welcome newbie to the Who Dat Nation: Pamplona Tapas Bar bartender Luke Tullos mixed up an homage to the Super Bowl-bound Saints this week that is a sure shot - the Who Dat cocktail tastes as good as it looks. Tullos starts with a shot of chilled espresso, Kahlua and Old New Orleans Spiced Rum, shaken, not stirred, and strained into a chilled martini glass. A brilliant touch is the gold head, created by whipping heavy cream and Galliano into a new wave foam. Then comes the chocolate ribbon and a cocoa powder fleur-de-lis. Sweet but not heavy, and it packs a kick. Raise your glasses to the drink of the week, $8. Call Pamplona at 232-0070 for more info. - Mary Tutwiler
SAINTS CENTRAL
Louisiana Hot Stuff, located in the Target Center on Ambassador Caffery Parkway, has been transformed into Saints Central. The gift store, which specializes in LSU, Ragin' Cajun, and Louisiana products, now has everything - and I mean everything - any Saints fan of any age could possibly want. There are Super Bowl pool posters, men's ties, aprons, non-permanent tattoos, barbecue sets, autographed Drew Brees prints, yard signs, second line umbrellas, authentic jerseys (the ones our boys wear on the field!) and Mardi Gras beads galore. More merchandise, much of which will have the official Super Bowl logo, is arriving daily: "Super Bowl Bound," "Believe Dat," and "We are Louisiana" T-shirts, along with NFC Champion mugs and hand-painted wine glasses. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, till 6 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Locally owned by Linda and David Faulk, Louisiana Hot Stuff's address is 4409 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, though it actually fronts Kaliste Saloom Road. Call 981-3132 for more info. - Leslie Turk
MASKED MAN
The marvelous convergence of the season that knights the Super Bowl-bound Saints as Mardi Gras royalty also spins off into Saints-themed carnival wear. Who would not want to be seen at a masked ball sporting this disguise? The black and gold fleur-de-lis mask is handmade of Louisiana alligator, topped with a non-endangered species plume of golden poulet. This one-of-a-kind demi-masque can be found at Mark Staton Co., $49; call 988-9964 for more info, or go to the Web site, www.markstatonco.net. - MT