The Uptown Acorn: New Orleans

After many years of blogging, I have been asked numerous times to share my favorite restaurants, bars, shops, etc. with my readers. Well, with the help of Linda at Life and Linda, I finally have a button on my sidebar. Of course, I will be adding to this list from time to time, so if you ever make a trip to the Crescent City take a moment to read through some of my must sees and must dos.

Remember, this list is compiled by me, Uptown Acorn. It is my opinion, and I have not been compensated for the mention. Though J would probably say that I have well compensated each of these businesses. Hey, I like what I like. Check it out!

New Orleans is a city full of inherent tourist draws to keep any visitor enamored for a long stay, but when I travel, I personally like to have an inside scoop on what locals like to do. Please allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite things to eat and do in New Orleans.

SHOP

Hazelnut

A sophisticated mix of unique home goods & gifts presented in an intimate, stylish boutique/one of my favorite shops on Magazine Street. Must haves: New Orleans toile, Laurel Wilder trays, Alison Evans ceramics I never leave without a treat or two!

http://www.hazelnutneworleans.com/

Perlis

Where the well-dressed shop. Must haves: crawfish polo, Vineyard Vines swimsuit, Bonobos pants

http://www.perlis.com/

Pied Nu

Chic shop selling a variety of women's clothing plus candles, jewelry & furniture/a small shop with lots of high class appeal. Must haves: Dyptique and Cire Trudon candles, John Derian plates

http://www.piednunola.com/

Scriptura

Stationery emporium featuring upscale paper products, pens & desk accessories plus custom invites/The best place for your stationery needs. Must haves: New Orleans-inspired thank yous, wrapping papers

http://www.scriptura.com/

Mitch’s Flowers & Oysteria

Quaint, brick-walled flower shop offering arrangements for all occasions plus a variety of gifts./Beautiful flower arrangements and oyster-inspired platters. Must haves: Oyster bowls, Oyster chip and dips

http://www.mitchsflowersnola.com/

http://www.oysterianola.com/

AKA Stella Gray

A wonderful collection of natural curiosities/Bohemian luxury. Must haves: 4”x4” oyster shell paintings, feathers, nests, antlers I always find something I must have in this shop.

http://www.akastellagray.com/

Sotre

A newish addition to Magazine Street featuring high-end accessories. Must haves: Vagabond House accessories, Sasha Nicholas monogrammed dinnerware

https://www.facebook.com/Sotre-514246478675988/

Aux Belles Choses

Cozy fixture known for its rustic French & English linens, soap, garden wares, vintage finds & more/Distinctly French finds. Must haves: English biscuit barrels, fresh lavender, vintage scales.

http://abcneworleans.com/

Billy Reid

The place where the modern man and women dress. Must haves: K-Swiss keds, fitted polos

https://www.billyreid.com/

Dunn & Sonnier

A floral, antique, and gift mecca. Must haves: Vintage containers, seashells, Nouvelle crepe myrtle candle

http://www.dunnandsonnierflowers.com/

Storyville

NOLA-inspired tees. Printed fresh daily. Must haves: Crawfish in Louisiana tee

http://www.storyvilleapparel.com/

NOLA Couture

NOLA and Southern-inspired neckties, belts, accessories. Must haves: Streetcar tie, snow ball belt

http://www.nolacouture.com/

Perch

Upscale shop offering antique & modern home furnishings, custom window treatments & design services/Vintage finds and modern accessories. Must haves: Nest candles, Alexa Pulitzer stationery

http://www.perch-home.com/home

Shops at 2011

Vast marketplace filled with antiques, home decor, gifts, jewelry & vintage items. Must haves: local artwork from The Porch

http://www.theshopsat2011.com/

The Shop at the Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection's shop, selling prints, maps, books, cards & other themed gifts. Must haves: Oyster shell trees, Casaka gift wrap, New Orleans ornaments

http://hnoc.tamretail.net/

Little Miss Muffin

One stop shop for unique gifts, women's apparel, accessories, children's clothing, toys, local artists, furniture, jewelry, home decor, weddings, and more. Must haves: Niven Morgan products, local artwork.

http://shoplittlemissmuffin.com/

Abode

Chic home decor shop with a selection of furniture, lighting, linens & more, plus design services. Must haves: Seda France candles, agate accessories

http://www.shopatabode.com/

Upperline

Modern, elevated Creole dinners in an 1877 townhouse hung with art & local memorabilia. Must eat: Fried Green Tomatoes, Cane River Shrimp

http://www.upperline.com/

Clancy's

Elegant Creole classics, martinis & a long wine list offered in a bustling, homey space. Must eat: Crab salad, Lobster risotto

http://www.clancysneworleans.com/

La Petite Grocery
Made-from-scratch Louisiana fare in a quaint cottage that housed a grocery store in the 1800s. Must eat: LPG cheeseburger, my favorite

http://www.lapetitegrocery.com/

Commander’s Palace

Notable spot for refined Creole fare & an elegant jazz brunch in a chandelier-hung space since 1880. Must eat: Turtle soup

http://www.commanderspalace.com/

Gautreau’s

Intimate, secluded spot for sophisticated New American-French cuisine, housed in a former pharmacy Must eat: Roasted cauliflower beignets, Pecan-crusted grouper

http://www.gautreausrestaurant.com/

Crepe Nanou

Crêpes & other classic French dishes in an intimate, mosaic-tiled bistro space with sidewalk seats. Must eat: Crepe aux Ecrevisses, Pommes frites

http://lacrepenanou.com/

La Thai

Hip, gleaming space with New Orleans-accented Thai cuisine, plus creative cocktails & lots of wines. Must eat: Fried calamari, Pad thai

http://www.lathaiuptown.com/about.html

Maya’s

Pan-Latin dishes, including vegetarian options, plus cocktails in a cozy, wood-decked space. Must eat: Crab, shrimp, avocado, and mango stack, Tropical fish

http://mayasrestaurantnola.com/

Superior Seafood

On the St. Charles streetcar line, seafood-focused Creole fare in a sunny, tiled space with St. Charles Avenue views & a happy hour. Must eat: Dozen oysters on the half shell, shrimp poboy

http://www.superiorseafoodnola.com/

Ignatius

Laid-back, casual spot for classic Creole fare plus daily specials & happy hour. Must eat: Sauteed shrimp remoulade poboy

http://www.ignatiuseatery.com/

Frankie & Johnny’s

Cozy, dimly lit bistro specializing in fried seafood dishes, po' boys & Cajun-Creole fare. Must eat: Fried bell pepper rings, Boiled crawfish (in season), hamburger dressed

http://frankieandjohnnys.net/

Ralph’s on the Park

Set in an 1860's house, this elegant, eclectic eatery features a bar, wine list & Sunday brunch. Must eat:Truffle fries, Tuna two ways

http://www.ralphsonthepark.com/

Mr. B’s Bistro

Special-occasion spot serving modern, seasonal Louisiana fare in a refined, wood-paneled space. Must eat: Shrimp & grits, Buffalo chicken salad

http://www.mrbsbistro.com/

Galatoire’s

Fine-dining century-old institution serving French-Creole fare in upscale space (jackets required). Must eat: Souffle’ potatoes, Lemon Fish

http://www.galatoires.com/home

DRINK

The Columns Hotel

Set in the Garden District overlooking the St. Charles streetcar line, this grand hotel in an 1883 Italianate mansion with a dramatic mahogany staircase.

http://www.thecolumns.com/#!dining--cocktails/cs69

Bouligny Tavern

Chic gastropub with sophisticated, modern small plates plus cocktails & a long wine list.

http://www.boulignytavern.com/

Cure

Firehouse turned stylish, dimly lit cocktail lounge with creative drinks & eclectic array of dishes.

http://curenola.com/

The Carousel Bar

This classic haunt at the Hotel Monteleone has a circular bar that revolves like a carousel.

http://hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar/

Swizzle Sticks

Refined bar in the Loews Hotel with cocktails like the Adelaide Swizzle, Creole fare & live jazz.

http://www.cafeadelaide.com/

French 75

Celebrated lounge & cigar bar serves up old-fashioned libations in an intimate, polished interior.

https://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com/bars/french-75/

The Hermes Bar

Hosting live music on the weekends, this sophisticated cocktail bar serves snacks such as po' boys.

http://www.antoines.com/hermes-bar.html

The Polo Lounge

Posh hotel lounge with dark-wood touches has upscale bar fare, cocktails & more than 600 wines.

http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/polo-club-lounge

Sazerac Bar

Grand Roosevelt Hotel cocktail bar with classic drinks, plush banquettes & elegant old-world vibe.
http://therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/the-sazerac-bar.html

STAY

Hotel Monteleone

This luxe grande dame with an opulent lobby is a block from Bourbon Street and a 9-minute walk from the French Quarter Visitor Center

https://hotelmontelone.com

Loews New Orleans Hotel

Across the street from Harrah's Casino, this upscale hotel in a modern building is a 4-block walk from the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

https://www.loewshotels.com/new-orleans

Royal Sonesta

Set on Bourbon Street, this upscale French Quarter hotel is an 8-minute walk from St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

http://www.sonesta.com/royalneworleans

Maison Dupuy

Set 2 blocks from Bourbon Street in the Vieux Carré district, this upscale hotel in 5 adjoining townhouses is a 4-minute walk from the Musee Conti Wax Museum.

http://www.maisondupuy.com/

Windsor Court

This luxe European-style hotel in a high-rise is a 3-minute walk from The Shops at Canal Place and a 9-minute streetcar ride from the Superdome stadium.

http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/

Roosevelt Hotel

This luxe Waldorf Astoria property in a grand 1863 building is a 1-block walk from Bourbon Street and a 4-minute walk from Harrah's Casino.

http://www.therooseveltneworleans.com/

Belladonna

Uptown day spa. Treat yourself to relaxation. With facials, pedicures and everything in between, Belladonna lets you forget about the world outside and just be.

http://belladonnadayspa.com/

Earthsavers

For over 20 years, Earthsavers spa and store has advocated the idea of beauty from the inside out by offering products and services at their three locations in the New Orleans area.
http://secure.earthsaversonline.com/

Luxury Day Spa at the Ritz-Carlton

Indulging all of the senses, The Ritz-Carlton Spa®, New Orleans invites guests to a place where draped chandeliers, bubbling fountains and the subtle hint of lavender mint create a luxurious
retreat.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/spa

Uptown Acorn's Guide, y'all!

BFFs Michael & Joey (from the ATL) and Richard (from San Fran) arrived yesterday. They will be staying with J & I through Sunday for French Quarter Festival. I plan on taking in the sights and sounds of all that this year’s French Quarter Festival has to offer. I plan on eating, drinking, shopping, gossiping, dancing, and soaking some rays. And I plan on having lots of “parlor time” with my guests.

French Quarter Festival has become one of New Orleans premier festivals.