New Orleans is still one of the most exciting cities in the world with its seductive charm. It’s truly a melting pot of peoples and cultures, where diversity is not merely recognized but celebrated. Out of this eclectic blend of French, Spanish and African influences came jazz, Cajun cooking and Mardi Gras.
Today, New Orleans is a city in recovery. More attractions, restaurants, galleries, historic sites and hotels are opening up weekly.
Residents display a kind of determined resolve not to be overwhelmed by their troubles. In the words of the Cajuns, “Laissez les bon tempe rouler.” Let the good times roll, indeed!
The Mississippi River first defined New Orleans, carving out the crescent shape. The explorers and early settlers laid her foundation; and the artists, chefs, musicians, writers, politicians and others who followed, built her into the Queen of the Mississippi.
New Orleans is more than jazz and Mardi Gras. Her charm travels far beyond the boundaries of the French Quarter and her history is not limited to cemeteries and books.
New Orleans is one of the most visited cities in America and has many major attractions from world renowned Bourbon Street , French Quarter’s notorious night life, St. Charles Avenue and many stately mansions.
A favorite tourist scene in New Orleans includes the French Quarter, which dates from the French and Spanish eras. Although it is only one facet of New Orleans, the French Quarter is the city’s great drawing card. Visitors throng to its restaurants and luxurious hotels. They hunt antiques on Royal Street and carouse on Bourbon Street.
The Quarter contains enough of the proper and the improper, the sacred and the profane, and the conventional and the unconventional to keep any visitor happy.
The French Quarter, some 90 blocks between Canal Street, Rampart Street, Esplanade Avenue and the Mississippi River- represents the original French Colonial settlement of Nouvelle Orleans. The Quarter was laid out by military engineers in a simple gridiron pattern with straight, narrow streets.
In many ways, the French Quarter remains the true heart of the city, not only for its historic nature, but because it is still very much alive.
People from all walks of life reside in the historic area and guard its iron-embroidered architectural treasures with fierce pride, enjoying the Quarter’s endless variety with as much gusto as a first-time tourist. Hurricane Katrina did little permanent damage in the Quarter, which stands on the city’s highest ground and avoided flooding.
BRENNAN’S RESTAURANT
One of my all-time favorite eating establishments in New Orleans has always been Brennan’s Restaurant on Royal Street in French Quarter. It’s best known for its ritzy breakfast, however, I have also enjoyed my dinners immensely.
The Creole/French restaurant is housed in an historic 1798 two-story, salmon-colored building. Some seats offer views of the beautiful courtyard.
Famous for its wine list, Brennan’s menu suggest pairing for each dish. You can’t visit Brennan’s without trying the Bananas Foster, which they invented and is prepared table-side with a flare.: www.brennansneworleans.com
IMAX THEATRE
A special IMAX presentation seemed appropriate to view on this visit to New Orleans entitled “Hurricane on the Bayou.” This IMAX presentation was filmed on the bayou and in the city of New Orleans. Basically it illustrated the tragic reality that the delta’s bountiful wetlands are eroding into the sea and leaving the entire area vulnerable to major hurricanes. It was ironically shot before and after Hurricane Katrina showing environmental calamity and staggering effects of one of the most devastating disasters in American history.
Meryl Streep, Northern social activist, narrated this IMAX film, which places at its heart an appealing multi-ethnic group of musicians. Performers include a young 14-year-old fiddling whiz Amanda Shaw, songwriter Alen Toussaint; zydeco accordion star Chubby Carrier; gospel powerhouse Marva Wright and Cajun singer and guitarist as well as longtime wetland activist Tab Benoit.
“Hurricane on the Bayou” mixes music and science with real-life images of Louisiana wetlands and the disastrous days after Hurricane Katrina. Director/producer Greg MacGillivray illustrated Glen Pitre’s words magnificently. After watching this 40-minute film, one can leave with two important things: hope that the wetlands can be recovered and the spirit-lifting sound of another of Louisiana’s great natural resources, music.
Tickets are available by phone (504) 581-IMAX/1-800-774-7394, at the Aquarium ticket window or the IMAX theatre ticket counter and online at www.auduboninstitute.org
HARRAH’S NEW ORLEANS HOTEL
My comfortable and centrally located hotel accommodation was at Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel, which opened September 21,2006.They held a 1,000-person invited guest rollicking New Orleans-style opening party. This celebrated the first completely new hotel to open in the city since Hurricane Katrina.
The 26-story, 450-room luxury hotel is a milestone in the continued recovery of the city’s tourism industry. Visitors are coming back to New Orleans and Harrah’s is committed to welcoming them.
Harrah’s new hotel is designed to blend gracefully into the surrounding architecture of New Orleans historic warehouse district. Guests are just paces away from Harrah’s Casino, the French Quarter and attractions along the Mississippi River.
Harrah’s Casino offers the most thrilling gaming entertainment 24/7. Voted “Best Casino” by the readers of “Casino Player” it offers 200 of the newest slots and over a hundred action-packed table games. www.harrahs.com
WINING AND DINING AT HARRAH’S NEW ORLEANS-STYLE
Most casinos offer 24 hour buffets to visitors, however, Harrah’s offers fine dining opportunities featuring celebrity chefs and casual dining at specialty restaurants all conveniently inside the casino.
Chef Besh at BESH STEAKHOUSE RESTURANT combines his own ideas with traditional steakhouse menu items along with New Orleans influence mixed together. Wine is considered an integral part of the restaurant with hand-selected cellar choices to accompany whichever menu items you chose to indulge yourself. His menu items include foie gras and rare Ahi tuna in the 150-seat restaurant. Reservations 504-533-6111
Internationally-renowned chef Todd English opened his first French Brasserie RICHE in New Orleans inside Harrah’s Hotel and Casino. He is eager to explore his French connection in New Orleans. English wants to replicate the elegance, charm and flavor of Parisian bistro as closely as possible. He serves signature French dishes within a warm, intimate setting, illuminated by a lively open grill area and extensive raw bar .English is excited to honor New Orleans and its French influence and to participate in the city’s revitalization with this new restaurant.
The casual BAMBU is a charming new Asian eatery, which serves Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese Classics as well as Chef Ricky Toy’s own Asian-fusion creations.
HARRAH’S THEATRE
Inside Harrah’s casino is a theatre. “Hats” the musical was playing while I was in New Orleans. It’s a new musical that addresses women’s issues: empty-nest syndrome, the death of a spouse, the end of a marriage and surviving cancer. This musical focuses on a 49.999-year old woman who reluctantly faces the inevitable Big-five-O birthday, until she meets Red Hat Society women who show her that she still can have fun and friendships after 50.
THE ITALIAN AMERICAN MARCHING CLUB PARADE
New Orleans is always ready for a party and a parade. How about the party and parade coming to my hotel back door! The Italian American Marching Club had their annual St. Joseph’s Party several hours before their parade on the street in back of Harrah’s. This pre-parade party sets the tone for their parade. I joined the members as they ate, drank, socialized and prepared for evening’s festivities. The generous members gave me lots of beads and cute Italian-themed trinkets along with the appropriate kiss. These men were dressed to the nines in tuxedos and red accessories.
With 2007 Grand Marshal Vincent Pastore of Soprano fame, they paraded through the middle of the French Quarter for approximately four hours in celebration of St. Joseph. Their parade consisted of floats with beautiful young ladies throwing beads, and several bands. Their members walked carrying a giant cane of artificial roses to hand out along the parade route and also sang and danced with the bystanders.
HOUMAS HOUSE PLANTATION AND GARDENS
Just a short and pleasant 55 minute drive from New Orleans is a wonderful attraction: Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.
Massive fountains greet the visitor at the entrance with a lagoon and gardens featuring exotic flowers. The mansion has been refurbished with period antiques and furnishings of the 1800s. A giant mural welcomes you to the mansion showing the sugar harvesting time in New Orleans. Specially trained guides offer wonderful tours.
Owner Kevin Kelly resides with his two dogs at the mansion. His dogs were married in a wedding ceremony and he put peanut-butter on their noses so he could take a picture of them kissing. That picture is displayed in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
We dined elegantly at Latil’s Landing restaurant located in the original 1770s French House. www.houmashouse.com 225-473-7841 