Curated Texan
“There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better.” Bob Dylan once famously quipped. Steeped in a rich French ambiance, this vibrant city is a gastronomic paradise boasting the tantalizing flavors of Cajun cuisine and the mesmerizing rhythms of soulful jazz music—a concoction that is sure to infuse your soul with a revitalizing energy, according to our inveterate travel chronicler, Cynthia Smoot.
Photography courtesy of The Eliza Jane Hotel, Archival
Once a printing house and bitters factory, The Eliza Jane Hotel on Magazine Street is a perfect getaway situated at the crossroads of the French Quarter, Central Business District, and Historic Arts Warehouse District, making it ideal for guests to easily explore the best that New Orleans has to offer. In addition to expansive views of NOLA’s city streets, guests also have access to one of the city’s most celebrated parade routes.
Part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt Portfolio, this 196-room boutique hotel is located just steps away from the lively French Quarter in the heart of the city. Housed in several historic warehouses, the hotel’s amenities and design pay homage to its storied past as a gunpowder company, bitters distillery, and printing house for the city’s famed Daily Picayune newspaper.
The hotel’s contemporary aesthetic features a sophisticated mix of old and new, combining much of the former buildings’ original brick, masonry arches, and metalwork with jewel-toned velvet, plush leather, marble accents, lush foliage, and other modern touches. A 2,000-square-foot open-air interior courtyard, complete with a custom cement tile fountain and locally curated Venus-inspired sculpture, serves as one of the main focal points. The Press Room, Eliza Jane’s spirited lobby lounge, offers intriguing cocktails and small plates in a setting that is equal parts library, working space, and bar.
“Don’t you just love those long afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn’t just an hour–but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands–and who knows what to do with it?” — A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
At some point in your stay, you’ll want to wander outside of this beautiful property, and the good news is that you are just blocks away from the historic French Quarter. The best bars are just off Bourbon Street, which can tend to be a bit of a tourist trap. If a fun day drinking experience is what you seek, duck into Erin Rose on Conti Street at Bourbon and grab a Frozen Irish Coffee. Then, head to the back of the bar to order from Killer Po-Boys. If it’s a sunny day, step into the historic Pat O’Brien’s courtyard for a Hurricane (one will do you!) or pull up a chair at Chart Room (note: it’s cash only). If you seek an experience that’s a bit more elevated, waltz into the Hotel Monteleone’s famous Carousel Bar. Yys, please! It’s an actual carousel––where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly and listen to wonderful live jazz music.
Pop back over to The Eliza Jane for a cat nap and a change of clothes, then get ready to hit the town for a night you’ll always remember. Housed inside The Eliza Jane is Couvant, created where the former Peychaud Cocktail Bitters factory used to stand. The hotel has reimagined elegant French cuisine with a Southern soul and a definite New Orleans flair. Driven by Executive Chef Ryan Pearson, its ever-evolving menu pulls from the city’s eclectic influences and showcases locally and regionally sourced ingredients. Expect dishes like Escargot en Croute, Confit de Canard comprised of pan-roasted duck leg, Beluga lentils, triple cream blue cheese, candied orange, and Brioche Boeuf Bourguignon made with red wine-braised short rib, pearl onion, bacon, mushrooms, and pommes purée. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic date night or Sunday brunch to enjoy bottomless brunch cocktails.
Other dinner favorites close to the hotel include the very Instagrammable Justine where the owners conjured up a vision for a boisterous, glamorous French restaurant and combines the sophistication of Parisian brasseries with the playfulness of the South’s most lively district. Irene’s never disappoints with its to-die-for cannelloni; irresistible duck; lamb chops both delicate in flavor and hearty enough for any appetite; roasted eggplant soup, and the complimentary bruschetta everyone is served when they are seated. Live music played on a piano provides a fun atmosphere inside this approachably elegant dining concept.
For a late-night libation and some incredible live music, visit 21st Amendment across the street from Acme Oyster Bar. The concept pays tribute to the Prohibition era in U.S. history during the 1920s, an era where the Mafia thrived and speakeasies proliferated through the trade of illegal alcohol. Step inside the French Quarter bar, enjoy a craft cocktail and be transported back in time, surrounded by images of the country’s most infamous mobsters.
In New Orleans, you will discover a tapestry of experiences, from eclectic shops to lively bars, where the air is filled with the irresistible aromas of étouffée and gumbo. The streets come alive with the soulful melodies of street musicians, creating a symphony that resonates through the historic city. With so much to see and experience, a few days is never enough. But it’s a very good place to start.
