Another day in New Orleans

Jackets are required for gentlemen during dinner and all day Sunday. When I told my friend we were going to New Orleans, he said we must go to this restaurant, so I made a reservation weeks in advance, just for lunch, so we didn't have to dress up! The restaurant has been around for more than 100 years! Founded in 1905 and is now in the fourth generation of the Galatoire family.

It's an experience. The waiters are mostly very old, and probably had worked there for decades. They seemed to know their customers by name, and you were asked who you wanted to be your waiter when you came in. SInce we had not been there before, we didn't ask for any by name.

The dishes are all super delicious, and not overpriced, definitely a great deal. My friend told me to just take our time and sit there for a couple of hours enjoying our meal, and we did. The fried dishes were light and not greasy, and the oysters were the best ever.

A 4 star hotel for about $100 a night? I suppose you can only get that at New Orleans. It's a good deal for travelers, but it just means New Orleans is still down on tourism from Katrina.

Near the French Quarter, this hotel has nicely decorated and furnished lobby and had a large screen iMac for guests! Guest rooms have free wi-fi and comfy bed and ceiling fans. Just take a look at the way the rooms are identified and you will get an idea of how this hotel is different! On the wall in our room was a B&W photography of a famous jazz singer at the piano (famous because I had seen the picture before, and because I don't know much about jazz singers!) anyway, more art than decoration.

We did not eat at the hotel, so can't tell you about their bars and restaurants. The staff was friendly and helpful.

They had a note to guests who write a positive review about their hotel, offering a free night within one year (if you list your full name on the review), I am not, and not likely to return within a year, but still it's a positive review and if I did go back to New Orleans I would still stay here!