Co-Authored by Jeff Game
Cheese mongers, entrepreneurs, artist congregations, new millennium butchers and a hipster hotel are changing the landscape of the revitalized Warehouse District in NOLA.
Even if you have never traveled to the fine city of New Orleans, you likely may still have visons of people partying in the streets, floats with dressed revelers tossing beads to topless women, the over indulgence of food and adult beverages and so on. Don’t get me wrong, that version is still alive and thriving, and is still part of the fabric that defines New Orleans to many.
Today the city’s landscape and culture is evolving into an eclectically enterprising hotbed incubator for a new generation of artists, entrepreneurs, dreamers and urban dwelling families. The Warehouse District neighborhood, located just a 10-minute Uber ride away from the debauchery on Bourbon Street, has now become one of the coolest sections of this ever-changing city on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
One indication that a neighborhood is on the comeback trail are the great choices in hotels. The Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery does a brilliant job in solidifying the coolness status of this growing hood of New Orleans.
Modern design and rich history make for a stunning combination, creating a welcoming and hip hotel. Whether you are working that last minute proposal in their eclectic communal lobby, sipping on a cocktail in the stylish bar, or sleeping off the abundance of beignets consumed at Café du Monde; this is the type of hotel that sticks in your memory bank.
Dating back to 1854, and the construction of the original building, which was used as a coffee and tobacco warehouse, later being turned into a chandlery. Throughout the new design of the hotel, touches of the original architecture are visible, with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, blended with modern local artist’s paintings and creations that pop all over the property.
Bravo’s Top Chef New Orleans contestant Chef Nina Compton, brings her St. Lucia heritage of home style cooking, with innovative culinary sophistication, creating an inventive and mouthwatering menu at her first restaurant, Compère Lapin. After working under superb chefs, Daniel Boulud, Scott Contant, Compton has now partnered with the Old No. 77 Hotel, creating one of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans, a city she now calls home.
Compton felt that she had to put down stakes in the crescent city, after competing on Top Chef, and falling in love with the decedent food culture. “The great thing about this city, there’s so much going on all the time. The focus on the food is very genuine, they don’t just show off like other cities. For New Orleans, food is a lifestyle.”
Both hotel and award-winning chef are loving the emergent relationship, as Compton boasts
“Being in a hotel like this, it has an edge to it, kind of a sexiness. Compère Lapin and Old 77 blends well together. Our restaurant has become another amenity.
Every great neighborhood has to have those definitive places you can go relax with glass of wine, while nibbling delectable charcuterie and cheeses, or a joint that you can grab a beer, while devouring an array of house made pork products. Good thing this neighborhood has such places.
St. James Cheese usually has a line out the door at lunch, while the mood is more chilled during their nighttime happy hours of wine, beer and cheese specials. Husband and wife artisanal cheese partners Richard and Danielle Sutton opened their first shop in Uptown to success post-Katrina in 2006, and now have a thriving second location in the Warehouse District.
These cheese entrepreneurs have seen the reconstruction of New Orleans first hand, and recognized the need for building new relationships, and a growing business. Danielle praises, “The Warehouse District now has the density needed to create a vibrant neighborhood with its own character, distinct from other parts of town with its own architectural style. We are so happy with our newest location there on Tchoupitoulas St. and enjoy getting to know a whole new group of customers who live and work in the area.”
Louisiana native and award-winning chef Donald Link has a number of exceptional fine dining restaurants that scatter the city. Cochon Butcher have become one of those local joints that serve sublime southern cuisine, with home cooking vibes that makes you feel as if grandma is dishing things up in the kitchen. The folks at Cochon Butcher make anyone feel like they are right at home in this butcher shop, sandwich counter and wine bar all rolled into one. You will not be disappointed when you dive into your pork belly sandwich with mint & cucumber on white bread, bubbling hot mac & cheese and a cold, cold beer.
The Big Easy is widely known for being a great live music town. Some of the most-talented musicians in the world reside here. The Warehouse District is full of great live music institutions such as the ever funky Howlin’ Wolf, which showcases the best blues, jazz and funk bands that you’re sure to find under one sweaty roof. Grab a couple of cocktails and head on over to the modernly diverse Republic Nola, where you can check out an eclectic mix of indie-rock, to rap, to the best DJ’s and everything in between.
If art is your thing, New Orleans is a giant gumbo pot of innovative artists. Take a stroll down Julia Street through the New Orleans Arts District and you’ll discover over 25 rich and distinct local art galleries for any art lover’s pallet.
Beware of hitchhiking ghosts along one of the many different haunted tours that Ghost City Tours have to offer. You have a few choices to get your scare on, from the Killers and Thrillers tour, to the ever popular Haunted Pub Crawl tour.
After all the Nola fun, as you drag yourself from your hotel to your Uber ride to the airport, stop the friendly faces at Pump & Grind. Grab a little pick me up of either a hand-made coffee from one of their expert baristas, or intake some much needed vitamins with a fresh cold-pressed juice.