Where to Stay, Play and Invest in New Orleans
Beignets and coffee. Photo by Shutterstock.com
Historically rich and culturally diverse, New Orleans is the definition of a melting pot. There is so much to do, see and eat in the Big Easy, so Worth is highlighting all the businesses, hotels, restaurants and attractions worth experiencing on your trip.
Business
MADE IN NEW ORLEANS FOUNDATION
Formerly the John Besh Foundation, MiNO seeks to provide education and mentorship for young chefs. The organization offers a scholarship program called Chefs Move, which is dedicated to increasing minority leadership in city kitchens. 900 Camp Street, Suite 4C13, info@minofoundation.org, 504.982.4778, minofoundation.org
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NEW ORLEANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
With more than 1,300 members, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has been helping to create business partnerships in the city since 2004 and boasts some of the lowest dues in the South. 1515 Poydras St., Suite 1010, info@neworleanschamber.org, 504.799.4260, neworleanschamber.org
THE IDEA VILLAGE
Founded in 2000, this nonprofit holds networking events, offers mentors and organizes a cycle of activity that culminates each March in New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, when startups meet with venture capital leaders and win cash and other resources. 900 Camp St., Suite 308, info@ideavillage.org, 504.291.2563, ideavillage.org
PROPELLER
This startup incubator helps small businesses and nonprofits take on social and environmental issues with a focus on food security, water management, healthcare and educational equity. Resources include coworking space and access to equity investments. 4035 Washington Ave., Andrea Chen, executive director, achen@gopropeller.org, 504.345.9836, gopropeller.org
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GREATER NEW ORLEANS
This public-private partnership supports local economic development and entrepreneurship by advising on incentive programs and growth strategies. 1100 Poydras St., Suite 3475, Michael Hecht, president and CEO, mhecht@gnoinc.org, 504.527.6900, gnoinc.org
POWERMOVES.NOLA
A business accelerator for minority entrepreneurs, this startup has gained national recognition for the rapid success of its fellowship program, pitch competitions and boot camp. info@powermovesnola.org, 504.408.1038, powermovesnola2.squarespace.com
Hotels
ROYAL SONESTA NEW ORLEANS
The Bourbon Street hotel is situated in the liveliest part of the French Quarter. Check out Restaurant R’evolution for its Sunday Jazz Brunch. 300 Bourbon St., 504.586.0300, sonesta.com/us/louisiana/new-orleans/royal-sonesta-new-orleans
THE PONTCHARTRAIN HOTEL
The Pontchartrain became a celebrity hangout in the 1940s, but it fell on hard times. In 2016, it reopened to its former glory following a $10 million renovation that includes several restaurants and a rooftop bar with sweeping city views. 2031 St. Charles Ave., info@thepontchartrain.com, 800.708.6652, thepontchartrainhotel.com
NOPSI HOTEL
Virginia-based Salamander Hotels & Resorts opened its NOPSI Hotel in 2017 after completely renovating the 1920s landmark. The space includes dramatic vaulted ceilings, classic NOLA cast-iron railings and terrazzo flooring. 317 Baronne St., 844.439.1463, nopsihotel.com
WINDSOR COURT HOTEL
Southern charm meets English style at this 316-room hotel featuring artwork by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough and Jacob Huysmans. There’s a rooftop pool, boutique spa and afternoon tea service. 300 Gravier St., reservations@windsorcourthotel.com, 504.523.6000, windsorcourthotel.com
ACE HOTEL NEW ORLEANS
The Roman and Williams–designed hotel draws crowds to the Arts District with its lobby bar, rooftop lounge and live music venue, Three Keys. 600 Carondelet St., 504.900.1180, acehotel.com/neworleans
HENRY HOWARD HOTEL
The hotel began life as a double-gallery townhouse created by renowned Louisiana architect Henry Howard in 1867. Now a boutique hotel, it houses 18 rooms along with courtyards and a parlor where you can get cocktails “to-geaux.” 2041 Prytania St., info@henryhowardhotel.com, 504.313.1577, henryhowardhotel.com
Restaurants
JUSTINE
Blending upscale food with eclectic décor, chef Justin Devillier, James Beard Award-winner in 2016 for Best Chef: South, serves up French favorites, such as duck confit and escargots in bordelaise. On Fridays and Saturdays, this French Quarter brasserie offers a special late night menu, available until 1 a.m. 225 Chartres St., 504.218.8533, justinenola.com
DOOKY CHASE’S RESTAURANT
Stopping in to this iconic New Orleans restaurant, which serves up some of the city’s best fried chicken, is a must. Its unfussy soul food is as impressive as its collection of art by African American artists. 2301 Orleans Ave., info@dookychaserestaurant.com, 504.821.0600, dookychaserestaurant.com
SHAYA
Shaya brings Southern flavors and modern techniques to Israeli cuisine with a hybrid menu that’s raking in culinary prizes. Set in a light-filled space with a wood-burning oven churning out puffy pitas, Shaya feels as unique as New Orleans itself. 4213 Magazine St., 504.891.4213, shayarestaurant.com
HERBSAINT
Established in 2000, Herbsaint is the flagship of chef/restaurateur Donald Link’s empire. He won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South in 2007, and the chef de cuisine Rebecca Wilcomb won the prize in 2017. The French-Southern menu is wonderfully fresh and deeply creative. 701 St. Charles Ave., info@herbsaint.com, 504.524.4114, herbsaint.com
PISCOBAR AT THE CATAHOULA HOTEL
The intimate bar at this 35-room boutique hotel showcases modern pisco cocktails, along with New Orleans-inspired drinks. 914 Union St., info@catahoulahotel.com, 504.603.2442, catahoulahotel.com
PÊCHE SEAFOOD GRILL
Winner of two James Beard Awards—for best new restaurant and best regional chef— this welcome addition to the Touro neighborhood melds inventive seafood cuisine with simple preparation and a casual décor. 800 Magazine St., 504.522.1744, pecherestaurant.com
Experiences
THE NEW ORLEANS SCHOOL OF COOKING
Get your hands dirty at this Creole and Cajun cooking school, where you can learn how to create New Orleans’ notable (and delicious) cuisine. 524 St. Louis St., 504.525.2665, neworleansschoolofcooking.com
THE SPOTTED CAT MUSIC CLUB
New Orleans is as much of a jazz city as it ever was and renowned favorites like Preservation Hall continue to please. But it’s worth visiting intimate locals’ picks, like “the Cat,” where there’s live jazz every night with no reservations and no cover charge. Cash only. 623 Frenchmen St., 504.943.3887, spottedcatmusicclub.com
CITY PARK
A 1,300-acre wonderment, City Park includes a stand of nearly 800-year-old oaks, dripping in Spanish moss and with branches that drop down to kiss the ground. Hints of the city’s swampy past can be seen in several bayous and lakes on the property, and the Botanical Garden allows for a curated study of native flora. 1 Palm Dr., info@nocp.org, 504.482.4888, neworleanscitypark.com
G L-F DE VILLIERS
Native historian Glenn DeVillier’s walking tours of the city are among the best. Besides the usual, his repertoire includes everything from a cemetery and voodoo tour to a dog-friendly French Quarter stroll to a gay heritage and drinks tour. Glenn Louis DeVillier, 225.819.7535, glfdevilliers.com
BESPOKE EXPERIENCES
Whether you want private access to working artists’ studios, a VIP night at a concert or just a warm Café du Monde beignet without waiting in line, Bespoke can make it happen. Jennifer Simpson, chief experience officer, jennifer@bespokeprivatetours.com, 504.534.8874, bespokeprivatetours.com
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MARKET
The sleek home base of Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is part modern concert hall—guests and performers can text drink orders to the bar—part jazz archive and part community hangout, with a lobby bar and family programming. 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., Sarah Bell, president and CEO, sbell@thenojo.com, 504.371.5849, thenojo.com
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