Here's my story on New Orleans that is in this month's CityLife Magazine, which is on newsstands now. My article was edited for space in the CityLife issue, but here is the complete version.
Visiting New 
Orleans never gets old to me. I’ve been dozens of times before, but I always love going back. It’s become a tradition of mine to always stay at least one night at the Hotel Monteleone when in NOLA. Truly a gem in the French Quarter, from the moment you step in the Monteleone, you’re in for first-class treatment. Located right inside the hotel’s grand lobby is the second-to-none Carousel Bar. Immortalized in the writings of Ernest Hemingway among others, the revolving Carousel Bar is a part of New Orleans history. A favorite of locals, it has a wild circus motif and is often filled with colorful local characters telling stories about Hotel Monteleone and the much celebrated Crescent City. Nationally acclaimed pianist, John Autin happened to be playing in the lounge area the evening I was there. His melodious sounds wafted through the air under the twinkling star-filled canopy of the world-famous bar. Be sure to ask you bartender for a Pimm’s Cup. Nowhere else makes them better.
When I ask
ed my New Orleanian friends where I should have dinner, they all suggested Jaques-Imo’s. Located in uptown New Orleans on Oak Street, Jacques-Imo's embraces and interprets the New Orleans funky psyche in a way that is fetching to both tourists and locals alike. Not your typical New Orleans restaurant—Jacques-Imo's Cafe has become known for its eclectic mix of Creole and Cajun specialties and its irrepressible owner and chef, Jacques Leonardi, who holds court each night dressed in a white chef's jacket, shorts and Birkenstock clogs. After checking in with the hostess, guests are whisked through the very busy kitchen into one of several dining rooms. As soon as I was seated, I was served a slice of alligator and crawfish cheesecake. It wasn’t a cold, sweet creation. It was a warm, cornbread-type appetizer, and it was delicious. I also sampled the grilled duck breast, which was served with orange soy glaze, shiitake mushrooms and pecans. I also tried the Carpet-Bagger steak, which was served with Bleu Cheese, grilled onions, oysters, and hollandaise sauce. With steaks, seafood and everything in-between on the menu, there’s something everyone will love.
Commander’s Palace. The bold name is just a hint at the bold experience you’ll have there when dining for lunch or dinner. I stopped in for lunch and was seated in the upstairs dining room, which had a wall of windows overlooking a lush garden courtyard. From the moment I sat down, I had three servers taking care of my every need. I was first given a lobster beignet to sample, followed by a goat cheese and mushroom tart, both of which were tasty. I then tried the turtle soup and the chicken and sausage gumbo. I chose the pecan crusted grilled chicken salad as my entrée, and it was one of the best salads I’ve ever had. By the time dessert came around, I was full, but the chef sent out one of each of the desserts on that day’s menu, so I had a bite of each of them: Strawberry shortcake, homemade Dutch chocolate ice cream, crème brulee and bread pudding soufflé. They were a delicious way to end this amazing top-notch lunch experience. Also, while I dined, models from Saks Fifth Avenue stopped by each table showing off the latest trends available from the upscale retailer.
For my second night in New Orleans, I moved to the International House Hotel, located just a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. This very modern, very sleek boutique hotel is perfect if you want to be close to all the action of Bourbon Street or if you want to be close to the Central Business District. The rooms feature a sitting area with a gorgeous chandelier overhead and an oversized bed with an oversized tufted headboard.
Just off of 
the main lobby of the International House Hotel is the cozy Loa bar. Plush couches and chairs fill the room and the only lighting is provided by literally hundreds of candles on shelves, tables and cubby holes in the walls. The International House Hotel paired with Loa Bar is truly the ultimate boutique hotel experience in New Orleans.
I happened to be in The Big Easy during Twelfth night and the start of the Mardi Gras Carnival Season. To celebrate, the Krewe of Jeanne D'Arc puts on a parade through the streets of the French Quarter, past St. Louis Cathedral and ends at the Joan of Arc's golden, equestrian statute at Decatur and St. Phillip streets. The krewe distributes candles, matches and swords to parade-goers, and invites them to join the candlelit march that honors the martyred French heroine on her birthday. Members of the krewe brought king cakes to share at the parade's end -- it's traditional. No matter what time of year you visit New Orleans, there’s always something exciting going on. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
When You Go:
Hotel Montelone
www.hotelmontelone.com
Jacques-Imo’s
www.jacquesimoscafe.com
International House Hotel
www.ihhotel.com
Commander’s Palace
www.commanderspalace.com
