If that bitch Katrina has made you long for a fix of New Orleans, Zanzibar Blue has just what you need. Whether you yearn for some Billy Jean and Cajun style cooking, or just want to drown your sorrows with cheap liquor, you'll find it all here. The inexpensive champagne and free buffet are fine examples of the southern hospitality you need.
Time: 5-7 p.m., weeknights.
Drink: Happy Hour specials are $2.50 Amberbach and Lager drafts, and $3 glasses of champagne -- however, you won't break the bank even if you decide to splurge for a regular priced beer ($4) or cocktail ($8). For all the Whartonites out there, make sure you check out their extensive offering of traditional New Orleans bourbon. It will definitely appeal to the 40 year old in you.
Food: The complimentary buffet is constantly refilled with Cajun fare like dirty rice and green beans with ham, and all-American snacks like waffle cheese fries. The cafe menu also offers down-home appetizers like baked macaroni and pulled BBQ short ribs ($12) and the Soul Sampler ($12), a taste of Zanzibar's fried catfish, hot wings, collard greens, sweet mashed potatoes and cornbread.
Ambience: Smooth live jazz in the background sets the mood for this dark, candlelit restaurant. The heavy drapery and dark red table cloths give Zanzibar the feel of an authentic jazz club, straight out of New Orleans.
Clientele: This snazzy and diverse crowd, made up of couples from Philadelphia's upper crust as well as small groups of singles out to have a good time, is definitely not the regular Penn scene. So if you are looking for an excuse to ask out that hot Tulane student in your class, or if there are no all-you-can-drink Katrina fundraisers this evening (doubtful), head on over to Zanzibar and toast N'awlins in style.
