Showing posts with label Ritz Carlton Hotels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ritz Carlton Hotels. Show all posts

Monday, June 13, 2011

French Quarter Lust

Attention friends: this is my last NOLA post! It has been fun and exciting to recap the trip for you intermittently over the past few weeks. This final installment is a photo montage dedicated to the sites that make New Orleans, New Orleans. It is pretty much a compilation of miscellaneous photos that didn't make it into the previous posts. I hope you enjoy and thanks for letting me re-live this trip for as long as possible. Until the next adventure!The days spent soaking up the French Quarter on foot were truly memorable. This city is one of a kind.Prominent architecture includes fancy balconies where the delicate wrought iron weaves intricately over backdrops of richly colored pink buildings.Harsh weathered exteriors are a contrasting façade from those that are clean and polished. Where the balconies give off of a regal feel on one street corner, they are rough and worn down on the next.
The contrast between the two is ever so striking. The houses are often distinguished by wide paneling and painted shutters, I even spotted one with disco balls hanging from the roof! The Bourbon Street bars follow suit with weathered brick and balconies, adding flare with bright neon signs and lights, beads and bras, glitter and glitz.
Our hotel was an absolute gem. Below is the view from our 8th floor room at the Ritz Carlton, situated a block from Bourbon at 921 Canal Street. The courtyard was especially pleasant offering a serene atmosphere to relax. We didn't spend too much time here, just enough to order a bloody mary before venturing out one morning. We spent a little more time one evening in the Ritz's swanky Davenport Lounge where famous Jazz musician Jeremy Davenport performs on a regular basis. His show was a good time, the vibe is upbeat and everyone makes their way up to the dance floor sooner or later!Jackson Square is a charming section of the historic French Quarter. Be sure to wander over if and when you visit. A statue pays homage to our 7th President Andrew Jackson who (before his presidency) served as Major General leading a poorly equipped army to victory at The Battle of New Orleans
on January 8th, 1815 against British troops that far outnumbered ours. This poignant victory marked Andrew Jackson a hero.
The St. Louis Cathedral is another well known landmark of Jackson Square.
Fountains grace the square along with artists selling their wares and donkeys offering carriage rides. The Fleur de Lis is a notable French icon. This stylized symbol is played up in all the shops and stores and below in lively Jackson Square artwork. If you haven't already, make sure to check out Tricia's Guide to The Big Easy over at Not All Who Wander Are Lost. She manages to wrap up the trip nicely in one post while still hitting the major highlights and offering some more in depth travel advice. They say the world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page. I feel it is a privilege to travel at all, and especially with these ladies. I can only hope the future has in store for us many more girls vacations!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

If There's Love...

...I just wanna have somethin' to do with it.  ~ Citizen Cope
It was a weekend filled with new and old friends and family, waterfronts and beach fronts, hot tubs and limo rides, dancing and fire pits, seafood buffets and exquisite passed hors d'oeuvres, raw bars and open bars, amazing foods and even better people. It was a celebration of Carly & Cutler's love in all the best ways. From a calypso band belting the old school tunes at the rehearsal dinner to a DJ spinning the top 40 hits at the wedding, here is the second installment of photographs of my favorite people, moments, foods and drinks.
The bride, bridesmaids and I awoke bright and early at The Ritz Carlton - ready to take on the big day.
Looking our best we meandered into Temple Orange for a light breakfast. Coffee ($5), Fried Egg ($3) and Hash Browns ($3) for me kept it simple and light on the wallet. Lobby photo shoots ensued. I wasn't sure if you had enough of the lobby in my previous post?! Adding people in the mix always bodes well for photo shoots, though. A trip to the hot tub before we began getting ready was a most relaxing event. As the morning wore on, the rain stopped and the sun made an appearance. How unbelievably gorgeous are the hotel grounds and the beach below them?The Terrace Suites offer comfy lounge chairs and breezy drapes, as well as easy access to the pools and beach. As 2 pm approached we were picked up by a most punctual limo driver. We slipped into our dresses in the house next door to the chapel...
This little guy got into his tux. Soon enough, we made our way down the aisle at the Royal Poinciana Chapel.After a beautiful ceremony and a round or ten of professional photographs, we cruised down Ocean Boulevard back to the Ritz, poppin' champagne along the way. The newlyweds made their grand entrance at cocktail hour.
The appetizers during cocktail hour blew me away. Presentation wise they were classy and creative. Taste wise they were top notch. There was a broad variety to please every palate and plenty to go around. Cigar boxed mini baguette sandwiches boasted ham and melted cheese on a warm crusty baguette wrapped in a brown paper bag.Black truffle mac-n-cheese laced with panko breadcrumbs was elegant.
The tuna tartare cones were fun!
A mozzarella tomato pesto bite with balsamic vinaigrette drops were a playful take on classic ingredients.The lamb chops were exquisite. From the bar, the usual to start things off.
Vodka Pineapples with a lime to follow. The reception was held down the hall at Angle - a contemporary American super club. A dark intimate space with sleek urbane décor, tonight done up with in glistening gold wedding essentials and white linens. Flowing tastefully through the room were elaborate white floral displays accented with pink roses. Tables were lined with floating candles. It was incredibly romantic. For the salad course we were served spinach greens with crispy empanadas in a creamy bacon dressing with a citrus garnish. And the entrée - a breaded filet mignon over baked onion with potatoes au gratin, herb encrusted chicken and steamed vegetables.The meal had a little something for everyone.
The five-tier cake presentation was insaneee. Plated with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel, the vanilla raspberry buttercream cake was amazing. I'll spare the dance floor antics in an effort to finish up, even though nights like this, you never want them to end!After the reception we hung out at the fire pit terrace wrapped in teal and gold sequin blankets. And began our day there the next morning, too!We enjoyed brunch once again at Temple Orange. And we've come full circle!!This time I splurged on a Bloody Mary and Eggs Benedict.
A leisurely brunch was followed by a day at the pool.
All the love in the world to C&C!