Heading To New Orleans And Love Food? Don't Miss Loews Hotel's 'Gourmet Getaway'
Thinking about booking a trip down to New Orleans? We suggest your consider staying at the Loews Hotel, located close to the French Quarter and Arts District on Poydras Street. Not only did they just complete a stylish renovation, they're also offering a "Gourmet Getaway" package that's full of goodies and gift certificates for some of the city's best restaurants, cocktails, and wine tastings. We had the opportunity to experience the package, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to visit the city in style. They're currently accepting bookings for the package for dates up to March 31, 2015.
Starting at $389 per night, you'll get two nights in a Grand King room (one of the largest hotel rooms in the city), as well as the following:
Two Complimentary Welcome Cocktails at Swizzle Stick Bar: The bar located just off the lobby of the hotel is spacious, bright, and welcoming, and there's a great cocktail menu to boot. We suggest the Adelaide Swizzle (rum, Peychaud's bitters, lime, soda, and a "secret ingredient"), or the classic Sazerac (rye whiskey, bitters, and an Herbsaint rinse).
$100 Gift Certificate, Commander's Palace Jazz Brunch: Arguably the best restaurant in the city, this historic Garden District gem also happens to serve one of the best brunches in America. Their Jazz Brunch is nothing short of legendary; sit in one of the many dining rooms and listen to a roaming New Orleans jazz band while enjoying classic dishes like Creole gumbo, pecan crusted gulf fish, barbecues gulf shrimp, cochon de lait eggs Benedict, and Creole bread pudding soufflé — and make sure to wash it all down with a brandy milk punch.
$100 Gift Certificate, Café Adelaide: Also located right inside the hotel, the recently renovated Café Adelaide is a great place for a leisurely brunch or lunch as well as a classic New Orleans dinner. Chef Carl Schaubhut spent years on the culinary team at Commander's, and here he's turning out quality interpretations of New Orleans classics like cornmeal-crusted Gulf oysters, turtle soup, Louisiana blue crab n' dumplings, and a stellar Absinthe-barbecued 14-ounce pork chop.
$70 Gift Certificate, Peche Seafood Grill: Chef Donald Link is the mastermind behind now-legendary restaurants like Cochon and Herbsaint, and at Peche he turns his attention to seafood. The result is one of the most fun and exciting restaurant experiences in the city. The menu centers on a selection of small plates (spicy ground shrimp and noodles, curried mussels with crispy potatoes) and large plates (smothered catfish, daily whole grilled fish), and daily specials reflect what's fresh and in-season.
$20 Gift Certificate, Drinks at SoBou: Fun and lively, the bar area at SoBou is a great pit stop just south of Bourbon Street (hence the name). It may be casual, but they take their cocktails very seriously; they include classics like the Corpse Reviver No. 2 as well as creations from "bar chef" Abigail that include Paris Between the Wars (Dewars, Luxardo bitters, lemon, cider), Michael Collins (Irish whiskey, lavender syrup, fizzy lemonade), and a rotating selection of barrel-aged cocktails.
Two $20 Gift Certificates, Wine Institute of New Orleans: Your pre-loaded access cards will allow you to grab a glass and help yourself to one-ounce tastes (or full pours) or more than 100 different wines, ranging in price from around a dollar to more than $10. Thanks to a high-tech Enomatic wine dispensing system, you'll be able to try more wines than you would just about anywhere else, with just the push of a button.
$10 Gift Certificate, Café Du Monde: No trip to New Orleans is complete without a trip to the famed Café Du Monde, and $10 should be able to supply you with all the hot beignets and chicory coffee you'll need.
Guests will also receive a gift bag with Café du Monde beignet mix, a cocktail recipe book, an apron, and a set of measuring spoons from Fleurty Girl.
The hotel recently underwent a $4 million revamp, with completely updated guest rooms and suites, renovated restaurant and bar spaces, and refreshed hallways. For a couple looking to make the most of their New Orleans adventure, you'll be in good hands if you let the Loews Gourmet Getaway be your guide.