Bryan Batt of "Mad Men" Gives Mardi Gras Tips BRYAN BATT has been in nine Broadway musicals and several films and television shows, most recently as Salvatore Romano on "Mad Men." But one of his favorite performances was at Mardi Gras in 1984, dancing the moonwalk on the back of a flatbed truck in the Garden District of his hometown, New Orleans, dressed as Michael Jackson. Leann Moses Bryan Batt of "Mad Men," and his mother, Gayle, in costume for a Mardi Gras parade. "After the Krewe of Rex had rolled by, my rhinestone glove came in handy shucking oysters with my friends," he said. Growing up in New Orleans, he participated in masked balls and watched parades at Gallier Hall, the former New Orleans city hall, where he, his brother and Mitch Landrieu, now the city's mayor, would dive under the stands to catch stray doubloons. In honor of this Fat Tuesday (Feb. 21), Mr. Batt shared with us his favorite ways to let the good times role during Carnival. Q. Where are the best spots to camp out for a parade? A. It depends on what you want. I love experiencing the parades under the majestic oaks on St. Charles Avenue, especially from Napoleon Avenue to Jackson Avenue. It's lined with kids on laddered seats. For visitors, a hotel on Canal Street or, even better, near Lee Circle, like the new Hotel Modern, is a great idea. Many have reviewing stands. The city also sells seats at its own reviewing stands online. Restaurants are good. The new Superior Seafood is at the start of several parade routes and farther down the avenue is Emeril's Delmonico. As a rule, I try to avoid the French Quarter because of the crowds, especially Bourbon Street. But hey, some people love it. A great, wild, adult thing to see is the costume competition in front of the bar Oz on Bourbon early morning on Fat Tuesday. Q. What supplies go in your Mardi Gras survival kit? A. Water, Band-Aids, Popeyes fried chicken, king cake and vodka. It mixes with almost anything. Mix drinks in a go-cup that they throw from the floats. Q. What challenges should first-timers be prepared for? A. Bathrooms are the hottest commodity. Schools and churches along the route often offer bathroom passes for sale. Sacred Heart, near the beginning of the uptown parade route, is good, as well as Rayne Memorial Methodist Church. Q. Which parades are your favorites? A. Catching Zulu - the route often changes, so check the morning paper - and Rex are a must. Orpheus, Endymion and Bacchus as well. Q. What are your tips for catching the most loot? A. When I've ridden in parades, I always throw to the kids, the elderly and anyone who is smiling and having a great time. I try to make eye contact with the person. If you catch a ton and a kid nearby hasn't caught much, share. One of the best secrets for catching a lot of beads is to go to the very end of the parade route. Many maskers will try to get rid of their booty there, and usually the crowds are thin. Q. Where can you eat before or after the parade? A. A great place to get a bite and catch the parade is Pascal's Manale. Also Commander's Palace, which is fine dining, Herbsaint and Café Adelaide. I love wine, so one of my faves is W.I.N.O., the Wine Institute of New Orleans. You can taste 150 different wines and see the parade. And the new Hermes Bar at Antoine's is fun. To get away from the fray, you can get a swank adult beverage and small plates at the Bouligny Tavern on Magazine Street and at Cure on Freret Street. Mr. Batt is the author of two books, "Big, Easy Style" and "She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother," a memoir.