Hotel/Food report (or: walk - eat - repeat...)

We just returned from a 4 day stay in Nawlins. Weather was supposed to be terribly rainy but it wasn%26#39;t at all (I don%26#39;t think the TV stations have a CLUE about the forecast - don%26#39;t get stressed if they say it will rain all day!) It was cooler than usual for July. Police were EVERYWHERE - no troubles. This was our third stay in the French Quarter.

HOTEL: Dauphine Orleans Hotel

TURN-ONS: Price (fantastic deal w/airfare on Travelocity), location (quiet, safe area one block from Bourbon Street), fairly large clean room w/partial view, comfortable beds (TempurPedic but not the foam type - these were still very comfy), beautiful marble bathroom, good (free) continental breakfast, robes, complimentary champagne for our wedding anniversary (a very nice touch), the shower water is filtered, beautiful bar (May Baily%26#39;s) w/great bartender and free drink coupon given at check-in, hot tub available across the street.

TURN-OFFS: Tiny lobby, small pool (normal for FQ hotels), small courtyards, has a FQ ';vibe'; but everything looks worn and shabby rather than authentic patina, one day our room wasn%26#39;t cleaned; although supervised by a valet attendant, the elevators to rooms are located in the parking garage open to the street (possible security hazard although we experienced no problems), our air conditioner dripped onto our carpet (not a biggie though), no exhaust fan or circulation in the bathroom, the room had only one painting and a mirror in the living space - a couple more art pieces would dramatically improve the look and feel. We had to call the desk to find out how to turn on the shower.

When we stay in the FQ, we expect a FQ hotel to have that FQ feel and patina. We enjoyed our stay at the Dauphine Orleans but it was definitely several steps down from the Maison Dupuy (our favorite.) Considering the great deal we found w/airfare from Travelocity, it was well worth the few shortcoming of the hotel. Would we recommend the Dauphine Orleans? Sure, as long as one understands that this is an old historic FQ hotel and that it (like all others) has some shortcomings.

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FOOD FOOD FOOD

Here are some short thoughts on where we ate this trip:

CAFE BEINGNET - wonderful sandwiches and beignets at a good price.

BUBBA GUMP - I know, I know, not authentic, but it%26#39;s a LONG story. We had tons of many different types of shrimp. The coconut shrimp (and especially the sauce) was great. Way too expensive. Had a bumbling waiter.

COOP%26#39;S PLACE - 12:30PM - we were told that they were OUT OF SEAFOOD (except for shrimp) and jambalya (seafood delivery hadn%26#39;t arrived!) We had fried shrimp (delicious), fried chicken (meh...) and gumbo (good - very peppery.) Even though it wasn%26#39;t crowded, we sat for over an hour waiting on our food. The waiter acted like we (customers) were totally interrupting his day. We won%26#39;t be back.

OLIVIER%26#39;S - Beautiful dining room, friendly waiter, tasty house vinaigrette salad dressing. We had the chicken and the catfish. Very nice, subtle flavors. Good but overpriced.

CENTRAL GROCERY - We had the requisite muffaletta. We split a whole one, but could%26#39;ve easily split a half and been happy. What a unique store with unique stuff. Very crowded though - hard to move.

PORT OF CALL - Dark and boisterous - full of locals getting together after work at the bar. Fantastic hamburgers - best we%26#39;ve ever had in a restaurant! They%26#39;re not cheap though, but worth it. Our waitress was efficient but it seemed like drudgery to deal with us. Don%26#39;t waiters smile in NOLA? They all seem so unhappy. We split a Monsoon and the two of us could only drink HALF of it! Lots of rum - a notch higher in class than a ';mere'; Hurricane. But we%26#39;ll stick to wine.

BEST DESSERT: Pralines at Aunt Sally%26#39;s (and we tried ALL of them in the FQ!)

All in all, a great time. See you next time, NOLA!

Hotel/Food report (or: walk - eat - repeat...)

Thanks for the trip report. Always nice to read them.

As for the clueless or grouchy waiters, sorry. It tends to come with the territory at cheaper restaurants these days. Most New Orleans residents are still a little more stressed than pre-Katrina and I guess it sometimes shows. I%26#39;ve also noticed more wait staff who were previously in other professions and have changed careers post-K. I tend to cut them some slack.

Come back and see us!

Hotel/Food report (or: walk - eat - repeat...)

CW-

That%26#39;s the feeling we got, too: the wait staff at places are new and overwhelmed. We%26#39;re not snooty people and always give them a break (plus tip nicely.) Who knows, it may be US someday!

I forgot to say that we were very moved by all the empty apartments and condos for sale - several on every block. This was our first time back since Katrina and it really was sobering and sad. If it were about 10 years into the future, we%26#39;d be picking out a place to winter in!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful city with us. It%26#39;s the MOST ORIGINAL place in the U.S.!

-RM

Many of those ';for sale'; condos and apartments aren%26#39;t empty at all. Realty companies in the FQ are notorious for leaving signs up even though units have been sold. Then when you call, they%26#39;ll tell you that another one is available nearby.

Of course, there%26#39;s always a pretty active market in the FQ and the recent condo craze hasn%26#39;t helped. I%26#39;m hoping prices come down a little so more full-time residents will move to the area. Right now, the FQ has a lot of ';vacation homes'; which are occupied only a few days a month.