Fatties only

If you think Mardi Gras is all about the booze, you’re missing the boat. It’s called “Fat Tuesday” because of the food. You can eat gumbo anytime, but King Cake is just for Mardi Gras. It’s like a super-sweet coffee cake, gaudily decked out in purple, green and yellow sugar. New Orleans native Charlie Harrison will make one ($15-$25) for Old Soul Co. and Freeport Bakery offers a plain or praline version ($15.95-$20.95). They come with miniature babies baked inside. If you get the baby in your slice, you buy the King Cake next year, chère. Old Soul, 1716 L Street, www.oldsoulco.com; Freeport Bakery, 2966 Freeport Boulevard, http://freeportbakery.com.