and served in a savory broth. It was, in fact, good for the soul. The cobia — a light-but-filling fish — didn’t disappoint this seafood lover. It was accompanied by broccoli rabe and marinated in lemon, garlic, chives and roasted chicken jus. We capped off the night with a chocolate and peanut butter concoction and a nightcap, called Leaving Through the Window: Irish whiskey, Amaro CioCiaro, Stumptown cold brew, lime and mint. After dinner, we ascended to the rooftop bar and pool to enjoy an expansive view of the cityscape, which was pinpricked by silver light coming from the buildings all around us. It was easy to imagine bodies swaying in too-tight bars and brass beats filling the empty spaces. Tomorrow, we would embark on our exploration! Oysters and Carousels At morning’s break, we decided to take in the same view that we had enjoyed the night before, this time with coffee. Stumptown’s coffee gave me a buzz; but to be honest, I was already excited about Seaworthy, an oyster bar on the Ace Hotel campus. Like one of my favorite
NEW ORLEANS
A juxtaposition of swamp and city, tragedy and hope, folklore and futurism, Creole and French, New Orleans provides a wealth of culture and adventure to delve into.
FRAN PARENTE
Hotel, which offered an eclectic and eccentric embrace of art. The lobby is like walking into a hotel from another time: black-and-white checkered floors; dark, wood-paneled walls; and, directly to your right, a beautiful bar with gold accents. Cozy couches and patterned rugs invite visitors to sip a libation or settle in with a coffee from the on-site Stumptown Coffee shop. The palette for each room is black and white with standout pieces that present color and character, such as ornate oriental rugs, vivid paintings on the closet doors and a more-thanwell-stocked mini bar. Some rooms are even graced with guitars ready for strumming. We arrived earlier than we had expected, so we took a stroll around the neighborhood, which was lined with trendy boutiques and street cafés. With smells wafting down the street and a few hours until our dinner reservation, we couldn’t resist an appetizer of calamari and, to our fortune, half-price wines. With a trolley passing by and jazz music in the background, it was a nice way to ease into the city before we fully immersed ourselves the next day. Our dinner was much anticipated, as it was to be at the highly regarded Josephine Estelle inside of the Ace Hotel. The menu at Josephine Estelle is inspired by multiple courses, which are becoming popular at fine restaurants. First, we would enjoy an appetizer, then a pasta dish, then a protein and finally, dessert. We began with the meatballs, which were hearty and rich in flavor. Diners who adore cheese would do well to try the bucatini pasta. For those who crave a fancier version of Mama’s chicken soup, try the tortellini filled with roasted chicken
FRAN PARENTE
The Ace Hotel is located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, presenting soul, swank and style, giving a nod to the past and welcoming the future of this city. The property offers 234 guest rooms, two restaurants, a coffee shop, a bar, a jazz club and partnering retail stores.
writers, Hemingway, I have an affinity for the briny bivalve. Seaworthy was my kind of place: rustic stone walls, polished black leather upholstery, marbleized table tops, a variety of lighting fixtures, black-and-white photos in mismatched frames and a quaint and intimate courtyard where we were seated. New Orleans does know a thing or two about a good courtyard setting — something most people can appreciate. Oysters were in order, of course, and a variety from regions of Louisiana and Alabama were EMERALDCOASTMAGA ZINE.COM
June–July 2017
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