Eating Nola {The Caribbean Room}

Located in the historic Garden District along St. Charles Avenue, the remodeled and completely renovated Pontchartrain Hotel is certainly a feast for the eyes. 

The 1927 hotel is a 14 story luxury hotel featuring modern amenities.

J & I made reservations for dinner in the Caribbean Room about one month ago. Reservations are hard to obtain due to the popularity of this gem.

We sampled a couple cocktails in the first floor Bayou Bar which features a live piano player/singer. "The Bayou Bar, where the New Orleans Saints football franchise was christened in 1969, will offer a casual tavern-style ambiance warmed by exposed wood. Once a drinking den for both Sinatra and Capote, The Bayou Bar will feature an extensive whiskey and beer list. Uptown locals and visitors alike will have the option to hang out at the rollicking Steinway piano, the intimate tables or the shotgun bar."

We then dined in the famous Caribbean Room. "Chef John Besh and Chef Chris Lusk have teamed up to restore The Caribbean Room. The Caribbean Room will feature rattan furniture and white tablecloths and will uphold the room’s existing Charles Reinike murals. Chef Chris Lusk plans to infuse a fresh, contemporary energy that still evokes the nostalgia of the original restaurant. The Caribbean Room will provide a transportive, only in New Orleans experience to all."

The lobby of the restaurant as well as the restaurant itself is well appointed and tres elegant. I am in love of the gallery wall in the lobby of the Caribbean Room which even features a special piece by artist Ashley Longshore.

I could not get enough of the luxurious fabrics and trims used in the restaurant. The details were amazing down to the napkins which feature an embroidered CR.

Our food too was amazing! J & I shared the famous Crab Remick- delicious. Jeff then had the Seafood Gumbo which he raved about, and I loved the Brown Shrimp Bisque. Jeff had the Grouper Pontchartrain, and I devoured the softshell crab. Unbelievably, we did not try the famous Mile High Pie, a signature dessert. We instead ate the deconstructed Pecan Pie. 

After dinner, the manager whisked us up the elevator to the rooftop bar, Hot Tin. I felt almost famous. The view from the rooftop is magnificent. "The jewel in the crown of the Pontchartrain Hotel, the rooftop space, will boast a breathtaking 270-degree view of the Mississippi River and downtown New Orleans. Behind this bar, guests will find elevated cocktails and champagne as well as shareable plates and light snacks.

The space will capture the look and feel of a 1940s artist loft with nods to American playwright, Tennessee Williams, who lived at the hotel while writing A ​Streetcar Named Desire."

All in all, J & I loved our first experience, and we cannot wait to go back soon.

Check out this video of our view from the balcony at Hot Tin:

Pontchartrain Hotel, y'all!