Clean 2019: Back in The Big Easy
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt of an article that ran in the May issue of Textile Services magazine. Make sure you pick up a copy of the May and June issues of the magazine at the Clean Show in New Orleans and visit the TRSA booth (No. 1533) as well as the Textile Services booth (No. 4653).
One of America’s most vibrant cities goes by many names: The Crescent City, America’s Most Interesting City and, of course, The Big Easy. New Orleans offers a unique lifestyle to its residents and visitors. The southern town nestled in the Mississippi River’s crescent is full of museums, activities and amazing restaurants that are must sees while in town.
Located in the state of Louisiana, New Orleans is the state’s largest city and metropolitan area, and one of the United States’ biggest ports. The city was founded in the year 1718 and was named after the well-known Duke of Orleans. It is famous worldwide for its distinct and unique architectural style that encompasses French and Spanish elements. During the first half of the 19th century, New Orleans became the United States’ wealthiest and third-largest city. Its port shipped the produce of much of the nation’s interior to the Caribbean, South America and Europe. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. The city has been described as the “most unique” in the United States, owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
New Orleans is bursting with so much entertainment, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the festivals, celebrations and parties. Sometimes one forgets to slow down to take in the many attractions the city has to offer. While in town, take time to visit New Orleans’ world-class museums, all found within a few miles of each other. From listening to a local jazz band, while surrounded by some of the greatest Southern fine art, to watching actual World War II footage while walking through a simulated exhibit resembling Normandy, you never know what you’ll discover inside one of these institutions.
The National WWII Museum is outstanding, with engaging exhibits and documentary snippets that tell the history of WWII. The museum is divided into three sections, with one section devoted to the war in the Pacific, another dedicated to the war in Europe and a third building that houses WWII aircraft. A film entitled “Beyond All Boundaries,” produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, is shown in a 4D Theater, with chairs that rumble as tanks go by on the screen and stage props that turn the film into a sensory experience. Short black-and-white documentary-style film segments give a real life look at how the items on display were involved in the war. Oral histories add to the impact. Part of the complex is the Stage Door Canteen, featuring entertainment from the 1940s, with matinées and dinner shows.
About a mile away from the convention center, at the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Hellis Foundation presents a six-month exhibit though Oct. 6 entitled “Art of the City: Post-Modern to Post Katrina.” It displays the works of over 75 native and dedicated visiting artists depicting how the resilience of New Orleans has contributed to the city’s thriving contemporary art scene. This museum also provides a free exhibit that includes several works of art and authentic pieces that date back hundreds of years.
While casually roaming the French Quarter’s charming streets is a fine way to spend time, a bit of knowledge about the unique architecture and history will enhance your stroll. Embark on a walking tour to better understand the city’s beating heart and musical soul. Two Chicks Walking Tours takes you through the Quarter, also known as the “Vieux Carre,” past popular New Orleans attractions and sights, including Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral and the historic French Market. You’ll learn how the city was built, and about the multicultural influence of French, Spanish, African and Caribbean architecture. Be sure to visit the French Quarter Visitor Center where National Park Service rangers lead free talks and provide printable self-guided walking tours. And, because it’s New Orleans, refreshments are always near.
LOCAL DINING OPTIONS
To engage any New Orleanian in conversation, simply ask where to find the town’s best po’ boy or gumbo. A passion for good food is the thread running through every neighborhood, home and restaurant in New Orleans. Through New Orleans cuisine, visitors experience the city’s heritage as well as its bright future in every bite. Here’s everything you need to know to get started exploring New Orleans food.
A culinary and spiritual symbol of New Orleans, gumbo is a melting pot of flavors mingling in a rich savory roux. The word is believed to stem from West African roots originating from the word for okra. European, Native American and West African ingredients and techniques evolved in a delicious mix, resulting in a diverse array of recipes. Thus, who makes the city’s best bowl of gumbo is always a hotly debated topic. Whether your favorite is meat- or seafood-based, or a combo, here are the places to begin. Locals rave about Restaurant R’evolution’s “Death by Gumbo,” featuring quail stuffed with rice, andouille sausage and oysters. For a more classic version, try Chef Leah Chase’s crab, shrimp, chicken and sausage gumbo at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.
Visitors have joined the line at the Crescent City’s most honored institution, Café du Monde, since the French Quarter coffee stand first began serving up beignets and café au lait, their sole menu items, in 1862. It’s open 24/7 and there are no reservations, so scout a table then place your order. Be prepared to leave with a healthy coating of powdered sugar—it’s impossible to contain the sweet goodness, and that’s part of the magic. For park-side locale, try Morning Call’s beignets, another beloved 24-hour café dishing up sweet eats.
In the late 1920s, two New Orleans brothers set out to feed striking streetcar operators, aka “poor boys,” with the cheapest fresh ingredients on hand loaded into morning-baked bread. That legacy lives on today from gas station counters to white tablecloth restaurants. Flaky-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside bread is crammed full of lightly battered shrimp or oysters, or maybe seasoned beef with gravy known as “debris,” and dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo. Portions of this beloved New Orleans food are always large and the taste always soul satisfying. You can’t go wrong at Domilise’s Po-Boys, serving classic po’ boys at this Uptown spot for a nearly a century. Opt for shrimp or roast beef, or go for the combo with a surf and turf. Travel down to Mid-City near the Fairgrounds Race Course for Liuzza’s By the Track’s famous BBQ shrimp po’ boy paired with a spicy Bloody Mary. It’s a combination that’s worth the trip.
What is jambalaya and what’s the difference between Cajun and Creole versions? The savory dish consists of rice slow cooked with a spicy sauce of meat and vegetables, a bit like Spanish paella. Creole cooking, historically associated with city living, always incorporates tomatoes. Cajun cooking, thought to have originated in more rural areas, rarely features tomatoes. Both versions contain the New Orleans culinary treasure known as the Holy Trinity: onions, celery and green bell pepper. Sample the smoked sausage, shrimp and chicken jambalaya at casual dining mecca Gumbo Shop. Coop’s Place, a lively bar and restaurant, serves particularly delicious jambalaya.
The list of restaurants and food to eat could go on for days. A few honorable mentions for classic New Orleans dishes are pralines (Loretta’s Authentic Pralines), king cake (Dong Phuong Oriental Bakery), and Louisiana oysters (Acme Oyster House).
NEW ORLEANS NIGHTLIFE
Though New Orleans looks good in the daytime, the city doesn’t truly come alive until the sun has set. Many establishments in New Orleans stay open well after 2 a.m.—the standard closing time in most other American cities—making it a place where you can embark on multiple adventures in one night. Whether you’re into rowdy nights, arcade games, cult classic movies, fried food, live music or sweeping views of the skyline, this city has it all.
The most bustling nightlife scene (other than Bourbon Street) can be found on Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. It’s home to a number of intimate live music venues including the Blue Nile, among others, that feature local bands and DJs. There’s also an outdoor art market if you need to catch your breath in between sets, and plenty of street performers if you don’t feel like committing to the clubs’ cover charges.
If you are a true night owl, see a midnight movie at the Prytania Theater. Situated Uptown, it hosts a steady rotation of new releases and a late-night movie series, showing cult classics such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, Little Shop of Horrors and Room.
Over in the Garden District on St. Charles Avenue, the trendy but classic Pontchartrain Hotel features a lively rooftop bar called Hot Tin, a reference to the Tennessee Williams’ play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The bar staff serves refreshing and original cocktails while the outside balcony offers sweeping views of the city’s skyline.
Experience New Orleans’ supposedly haunted history by joining one of the many guided tours around the French Quarter. You can take your pick between ghost or vampire tours and even haunted pub crawls where guests are treated to a delightful mix of both fact and fiction. Hosted by theatrical and knowledgeable guides, these tours will take you to some of the city’s oldest and spookiest locales.
Though some would argue it’s a tourist trap, Bourbon Street is a spot you really should have on your bucket list. Internationally known for its neon drinks, late-night dance clubs and the place where you catch beads year-round off the balcony, this iconic pedestrian street truly captures the spirit of New Orleans.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: SUMMER IN NEW ORLEANS
Music is truly the heart of this city. Jazz, brass, R&B, soul and many mixes are always radiating throughout the streets. Take a stroll down Frenchmen Street and take in the vibrant blocks of cafes, music clubs and restaurants including Snug Harbor and the Spotted Cat. New Orleans has produced its share of musical giants, from greats like Louis Armstrong, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and Al Hirt to contemporary acts like Trombone Shorty, Big Freedia and Hurray for the Riffraff. Preservation Hall on Bourbon Street is always a hit, but also visit the Mother-In-Law Lounge on Claiborne Avenue, Rock-N-Bowl in Mid-City, the Maple Leaf Uptown and Vaughn’s in the Bywater. These local dives and music venues will keep you dancing all night.
June temperatures tend to be high, with occasional showers. So dress light, bring an umbrella or poncho, plus comfortable walking shoes.
Laissez les bon temps rouler, or “let the good times roll,” is a New Orleans’ motto. The city makes visitors feel welcome, and show attendees will experience state-of-the-art products and educational sessions to boost their business in one of America’s most exciting cities. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to combine business with sightseeing and some good old fun!
For more information on New Orleans, go to www.neworleanscvb.com. To learn more about the Clean Show, visit www.cleanshow.com.