New Orleans Update

Hey guys, I'm heading to N.O the weekend of the 15th. I'm wondering what's different in hotels/restaurants in the past year or so, as it's been that long since I visited. I usually stay at Monteleone or Windsor Ct, both are fine, but I thought there may be something different out there. Maybe smaller, maybe a former private residence, etc.

I'll visit Commander's for dinner one evening, as I have some friends there, but am open for anything else you think is great. I'm more about La cuisine, as I can get continental stuff anywhere. I like great holes-in-the-wall and elegant haute places equally well, and really need both!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. See ya' soon.

 

I can't believe you came up with the Melrose Mansion, as I've been trying to remember the name for years! The week after 9/11, Laura and I went down the day they re-opened flight services, as we had a vacation planned and were damned if we would let a terrorist beat us out of it.
We were the only residents, they let us have our choice of rooms; on day 2, the manager told us that a corp in Cali had cancelled a board meeting they were holding there, and that they had 12 cases of Bollinger RD that had been paid for and would we help them drink it!!!
I looked out onto the grounds and saw a maintenence staffer with a toolbox in one hand and a bottle of RD in the other, drinkin' from the neck.
I have a thousand memories from that trip that I cherish. If you see a picture on the wall of Commander's of a man in a dinner jacket carrying a dark haired woman in a ball gown barefoot in the rain to a waiting limo, that was us! Guess I'll soon see if it's still there. I don't think I could stay at Melrose again without her, but I have wanted to remember the name forever.

And thank you Zophie, I'll be giving them a call. James Beard winners are generally rather talented And a wine list leaning toward Burgundies gives us a LOT to talk about!

 

Thanks so much, John. I hoped you might weigh in on this topic. Looks like I'll stay at the Roosevelt, got a Suite deal (sorry, couldn't resist) that was hard to turn down. I understand that Besh took over the dining room there fairly recently.

Looks like I'll do August, Commander's and Herbsaint on the 3 nights. I'll definitely get to Jacquesimos at some point, sounds perfect. A little jazz at Urban Mayfield's, a little late-night at the club we all know but can't mention Ya'll have done a great job for me, any other thoughts for daytime?

My son is coming in Friday the 15th to meet me, and although he's been all over the globe, he's NEVER been to N.O. He would like to see the cool homes in the District, so although it's incredibly tourist-ish, any thoughts on a good way to do that? Tour, limo service, etc?

Looks like I'll owe a few drinks to some people for helping out, we'll figure out where shortly!

 

I just re-read my previous post and realized that I called Irvin Mayfield "Urban Mayfield", can't discuss yesterday's bowl games and type at once, apparently. Pitiful.

Anyway, I'm thinking I should get a table somewhere Thurs night to hang out 'til my guests show up the next day. Where's a good place to hold court with a few invitees that has a good wine list and won't close too early? I think that should resolve the last issue! Thanks again. See ya'll soon.

 

Restaurants and time! Jacques-Imos was deleted from the program, so now I feel better about missing it. Good job, people!!
Looks like August and Commander's for dinners, Stella and Domilise's for lunch ( gotta do just one dive) with one night open. Maybe Herbsaint if the stars align...
John Scofield at Tipitina's with some amazing support cast, Irvin Mayfield's the other night. Am I forgetting anything...?
Oh, sleep! Well, maybe when I get home.

See y'all soon.

 

Just got back from N.O. and I need a week off to recover! Insanely good food (August wins for now), way too much great wine, fantastic music Sat night, and of course the town was very subdued after the Saints won!! Met celeb chefs, NFL owners and comissioners, some legendary musicians,and more importantly, some fantastic people from here on the board. Without going into detail, I'm gonna buy stock in John Suarez, 'cause he'll end up very rich. And then I'll take all that money and try to turn Zophie's head, as she's extremely cute! Thanks to all for making this little trip a great success!