A City That Lives In You

Love and Mardi Gras is inspired by real experiences that millions of people who live or visit New Orleans enjoy daily. I wrote Love and Mardi Gras as a simple story that readers can identify with. I want readers to be able to walk the same roads as the characters, see the same buildings, and enjoy the same foods at the same restaurants. It is an interactive book that is meant to be lived because just as Chris Rose says, “New Orleans is the only city that lives in you.” As millions of people descend on the city of Yes during this Mardi Gras season, I created a public yelp list that readers can refer to and they say Yes to visiting the locations and connect with them the same way I did.

1 - The Roosevelt Hotel (pg. 20). The title of chapter 3, it is an iconic and historical building that continuously bears witness to amazing people and stories. The hotel is absolutely stunning. A true beauty inside and out that takes you away to another time and the epitome of old- money luxury. The Roosevelt is where Lisa and her family stay during the 4-day weekend. I too stayed at the Roosevelt during my first trip to Mardi Gras. I was enamored by the beauty and history of the hotel that I still make it a priority to visit and take in the opulent lobby whenever I visit New Orleans.

2 - Sazerac Bar, mentioned multiple times in the book it is located within the Roosevelt Hotel. Readers can knock off two birds with one stone! Equally as iconic as the building it is located the bar has served many historical figures. It was the headquarters of the famed governor Huey Long who lived on the 12^th floor of the Roosevelt Hotel. The famed bullet hole in the wall was made from one of his over zealous body guards. It was also the rumored hangout spot of Lee Harvey Oswald. I had originally intended to include those historical tidbits but my editor said to remove it because it didn’t connect to the overall theme and message of self-love and self-discovery.

3 - Café du Monde (pg. 31). Another historical icon that all people should visit during their first trip to New Orleans. There are many places in New Orleans to enjoy a beignet, but I decided to put Café Du Monde because of the history and popularity. But just like in the book, a pro tip to visiting Café Du Monde is to go at nighttime, to avoid the lines. It’s also located right by St Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, The artillery park, Pontalba Buildings, and French Quarter. All locations that are mentioned in Love and Mardi Gras.

4 - Organic Banana (pg. 182). A simple food stall located within the French Market. They are my personal favorite for a quick Bloody Mary to go. Just like beignets, a good bloody Mary is easy to find all over New Orleans. But Organic Banana offers an easy and casual environment where you can get your bloody Mary to go.

5 - Marie Laveau House of Voodoo (pg. 122). Located in the French Quarter is it just as described, a gift shop for the occult. It is also a place where everyone should swing by during their first trip to New Orleans. I also wanted to include it because I felt like Marie is a figure that connects to the theme of a woman who lives by her own terms.

6 - Lafitte’s (pg. 157) Another historical icon that tourists and locals enjoy. I get drunk there every time I visit New Orleans and I encourage everyone to do the same, responsibly of course. Enjoy drinking an obituary just as Lisa did.

7 - Mothers (pg. 44) another historical icon of New Orleans and the best breakfast ever. I always make an attempt to get breakfast at Mothers. If you do try to go to Mothers go as early as possible to avoid the line that wraps around the building all day.

8 - The Court of Two Sisters (pg. 89). Like most of the restaurants in the French Quarter such as Brennans (pg. 142) and Antoine’s (pg. 119), the court of two sisters looks unassuming from the outside but on the inside, you will be taken away from the fray of the French quarter to a beautiful experience of food, history, and culture. I first enjoyed their jazz brunch during my first trip to New Orleans. It has become a tradition that my family try to do every time we visit. If you are lucky enough to visit New Orleans and want to enjoy the Court of two sisters, make sure you make a reservation far in advance.

The locations mentioned above are only a handful of the list provided on yelp. I hope you enjoy the places as much as I did, and I hope to see pictures of you reading Love and Mardi Gras as you do your very own book and food tour around the city!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!