Veronica Russell, award-winning New Orleans performer and costume designer, dies at age 44

One of our most creative and engaged community artists passed away this week after a brief illness. A great loss.

“She fused her acting and costuming talents into her role as the artistic director for Louisiana History Alive, whose performers assume the characters of some of the state’s most notable figures at public and private functions throughout the city — most notably in the French Quarter.

Russell often portrayed the notorious New Orleans madam Josie Arlington from the Storyville days.”

Veronica Russell, award-winning New Orleans performer and costume designer, dies at age 44 | NOLA.com.

Meauxbar deux

Another amazing meal at Meauxbar; first, the crabmeat and goat cheese app was delicious and just right with chewy bread to scoop it up; Chef Kristen Essig is right- her new fisher family source are first-rate crabbers! House salad with the figs, lovely. (with extra muscadines from Meauxbar’s own vines on the St. Philip side which I had along with a scolding from Essig for absentmindedly leaving one of her prized grapes on my plate!) French fries, mouthwatering-seriously. For entrees, I had the pork and Callie had the lamb- both had deep flavor and there was plenty on the plate, enough to take home for a lunch treat tomorrow. The service is quite excellent; I so enjoy seeing a focused staff led by a ambitious yet fun chef; I predict a future of great meals for me at St. Philip and Rampart.

Hotel lobby review-Four Points Sheraton

Reviews of French Quarter hotel lobbies’ ambience, service levels and activities available. For people who also spend their time people-watching in air-conditioned comfort. Find all my reviews by searching “hotel lobby reviews” among tags. More will be added from time to time.

Large lobby in the middle of the nuttiest part of Bourbon Street. Small bar with piano, some seating. Staff seems stressed a lot of the time.

Hotel website

Hotel lobby review-Royal Omni

Reviews of French Quarter hotel lobbies’ ambience, service levels and activities available. For people who also spend their time people-watching in air-conditioned comfort. Find all my reviews by searching “hotel lobby reviews” among tags. More will be added from time to time.

Long, narrow space with three entrances; one at the Royal Street end, in the middle of the 600 block of St. Louis Street and the last through the lower level parking garage/men’s barber floor. It offers various comfortable seating configurations and Starbucks drip coffee at the hotel sundry shop at the lobby level. Bellmen are legendarily genial.
Bathrooms easily accessible and well-appointed with cloth-like hand towels. Bar in lobby. Noise dissipates well even when large groups congregate.

Hotel website

Hotel lobby review-Hotel St. Marie

Reviews of French Quarter hotel lobbies’ ambience, service levels and activities available. For people who also spend their time people-watching in air-conditioned comfort. Find all my reviews by searching “hotel lobby reviews” among tags. More will be added from time to time.

Small lobby between Dauphine and Burgundy on Toulouse. Front desk clerks are friendly, no bellman available.
Seating is limited with no bar or shopping available.

http://www.hotelstmarie.com

Royal Blend French Quarter closes

Well, the end of an era. Simply the best courtyard to sit and relax in the Quarter. Coffee-passable, food pretty good. Service usually excellent.

T-P story about coffeehouse closing