Final Lineup Announced for Agave Week & Top Taco

The 2^nd annual Top Taco – presented by Corona Extra and Paddlewheeler Creole Queen – will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Woldenberg Park in New Orleans and promises a festive evening of tacos, tequila and entertainment – benefitting One Heart NOLA; a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the city’s foster children. New this year is Agave Week – a celebration of tequila and mescal throughout the Crescent City with a variety of parties, tasting and events. Advance registration for Agave Week events is required at NOLA Agave Week Events. Line-up for Agave Week and Top Taco follows:

AGAVE WEEK

Sunday, March 11^th, 10AM – 2PM, Superior Grill
The World’s Largest Bloody Maria Bar sponsored by Milagro
Milagro Tequila and Superior Grill are teaming up to see if they can break the world record for the biggest Bloody Mary Bar, but with a twist. Tequila takes center stage with over 60 different accoutrements to add. Bottomless Bloody Marias are $15 with purchase of a brunch/$20 without.

Sunday, March 11^th, 2PM, Saint Lawrence
Don Julio Scavenger Hunt
Hit the French Quarter for a scavenger hunt & bar crawl sponsored by Don Julio Tequila. Start at Saint Lawrence and drink your way through an adventure of epic tequila proportions. Event is free but limited and requires advance registration.

Monday, March 12^th, 9PM, Casa Borrega
5-course Oaxacan Dinner with Suerte Tequila
Journey to Oaxaca with this 5-course dinner, paired with unique cocktails by Suerte Tequila. Tickets are $75 per person and very limited.

Tuesday, March 13^th,4PM – 8PM, Manning’s
Hornitos VIP Margarita Mix-off
Six Warehouse District restaurants will face-off in this margarita bar crawl to compete for the best margarita. The winning restaurant will be featured in the VIP area of Top Taco Festival aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. The crawl kicks off at Manning’s and heads to The Steakhouse at Harrah’s, Fulton Alley, Rock N Sake, Ugly Dog Saloon and Flamingo-A-Go-Go. Event is free but limited and requires advance registration.

Tuesday, March 13^th, 5PM-7PM, Cane & Table
Del Maguey Brand Ambassador presents “A Taste of Mezcal”
Learn from the best! Join Del Maguey brand ambassador Evan Meeker in an exploration of mezcal with cocktails provided by the team behind James Beard nominated Cure and Cane & Table. Includes complimentary light bites and mezcal expressions provided by Del Maguey. Industry-only event. Space is very limited. Registration required.

Tuesday, March 13^th, 7PM-10PM, El Patio
Margarita Mix-off After Party & Oaxacan Pig Roast with El Mayor
Get transported to Mexico with this traditional pig roast. Enjoy El Mayor Cocktails on the best patio in the CBD. All you can eat tacos $10/$5 with Hornitos VIP mix-off tickets. Guarantee space by registering early.

Wednesday, March 14^th, 9:30AM – 2:30PM, Audubon Aquarium
El Tesoro Agave Seminar and “Farm-to-Bar” Panel Discussion
Cocktail enthusiasts and industry professionals are invited to this educational and entertainment event featuring tasting tables, cocktail reception, lunch and guided tasting tour by El Tesoro. The day will conclude with an expert panel discussion moderated by Bryan Dias, founder of NOLAdrinks and will feature distillers, brand ambassadors, and industry insiders, all on hand to discuss tequila, mezcal and the changes and challenges in the industry. Pricing ranges from $150 -$250 per person.

Wednesday, March 14^th, 4PM – 7PM, Del Fuego Taqueria
Del Fuego presents Tequila is My Religion Happy Hour
Wind down the day with Happy Hour at Del Fuego Taqueria featuring award-winning tequila, Religion.  Enjoy creative farm to bar cocktails and delectable bites. Complimentary; advance registration required.

Wednesday, March 14^th, 6PM – 9PM, Tequila House
Smokin’ Hot Ghost Party at Tequila House
Spice up your evening with free shots of Ghost Tequila and enjoy tantalizing fire breathing and live music from Spogga Brother Hash on the patio at Tequila House.  Guarantee space by registering early.

Wednesday, March 14^th, 6:30PM – 9PM, Pontchartrain Hotel
3-course Agave Dinner presented by El Tesoro
Close down the Caribbean Room in style with Chef Brian Landry who will create a Latin-inspired menu with tequila and cocktail pairings from El Tesoro. After dinner, meet national brand ambassador Luis Navarro for complimentary cocktails on the roof at the Hot Tin Bar. Tickets are $100 per person and space is very limited.

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30-9PM, Ohm Lounge
Señor Bear Pop Up Dinner
Acclaimed Denver restaurant Señor Bear will pop up in New Orleans for one-night-only at Ohm Lounge.  Join celebrated Chefs Blake Edmunds, Max Mackissock, and Top Chef Denver’s Carrie Baird for an evening of Latin flavors and festive cocktails to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.

Wednesday, March 14, 9PM, Ohm Lounge & Barcadia
Official Top Taco Pre-Party with DJ Mannie Fresh sponsored by Casamigos
Legendary Artist and Local Big Tymer Mannie Fresh will be spinning hip-hop and old school classics at the hottest pre-party in town. Sample Barcadia's complimentary Top Taco cocktail and dance the night away at this one-night only engagement. Event is free but requires advance registration for guaranteed entry.

TOP TACO

At the big hoorah on Thursday, March 15^th at Woldenberg Park is Top Taco Presented by Corona Extra and Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. The festive evening will showcase over 50 New Orleans’ acclaimed restaurants including SoBou, Sac-a-Lait and Atchafalaya; 40 spirits and beverages including smokin’ hot Ghost Tequila, Tequila Ocho and Cazadores; live entertainment by Muevelo and Afro-Cuban jazz and groove band Otra; a silent auction; and the chance to crown winners in five categories: Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Creative Tequila Cocktail, Top Margarita, and the Ultimate Top Taco Award in memory of Chilango’s owner David Montes de Oca. 

In addition to tasty bites and libations, Top Taco will also feature a curated silent auction with one-of-a-kind packages and a VIP Lounge aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen – with culinary creations from eight exclusive VIP restaurants, private extra anejo tequila tastings, a premium open bar, live music by The Iguanas and more.

PRICING:

• General Admission passes are $69 per person (7PM)
• First Tasting tickets are $89 and include early entry (6PM)
• VIP discounted tickets are $125 per person which includes early entry plus the VIP Lounge experience on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

To purchase tickets, please visit www.toptaconola.com

*All ticketholders will receive complimentary access to the Official Top Taco Afterparty, starting at 10PM at Masquerade at Harrah’s.

Friday, March 16^th, 1PM-4PM, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar
Patron Farewell Fiesta & Crawfish Boil
Keep the party going after Top Taco at Lucy’s Retired Surfers bar with a new seasonal crawfish boil and complimentary samples of their Top Taco Patron Pineapple Crawfish Boil Margarita. Advance registration encouraged.

*Media interested in covering any of the events should contact Brustman Carrino Public Relations at nola@brustmancarrinopr.com.  

*For a complete list of participating restaurants & spirits visit www.toptaconola.com 

About One Heart NOLA
The vision for One Heart NOLA began in 2008 by two foster families who recognized that the needs of foster children, birth families and foster families were greater than the State was able to provide. With a grass roots effort, we began spreading the word about the various needs to family, friends, neighbors and church members as well as going to garage sales asking for the children’s items that didn’t sell. People were so happy to give knowing that local children would be the recipients. It didn’t take long for an empty bedroom to become a resource center benefitting children and families in need. In October 2015, One Heart was granted its 501c3non-profit status. Run by volunteers, One Heart NOLA remains a grass roots operation believing that people best help people. 100% of the money donated to the organization goes to the children
.