Office towers and historic hotels between the Quarter and the Warehouse District. The Roosevelt, the Sazerac Bar, Willa Jean, Mother's, Restaurant August all here.
Herbsaint in New Orleans is Donald Link's 2000 St Charles Avenue flagship, a Louisiana French bistro with the streetcar passing the front window and a duck.
Signature: Muscovy duck leg confit, Herbsaint shrimp and grits
Order: The Muscovy duck leg confit with dirty rice. Pair with a Sazerac.
Tip: Sit at the bar for the streetcar view and faster service; the kitchen sends the same plates.
Mother's in New Orleans is the 1938 CBD lunch counter at Poydras and Tchoupitoulas, home of the Ferdi Special po-boy with ham, roast beef and debris served.
Signature: Ferdi Special po-boy, Red beans and rice
Order: The Ferdi Special po-boy with debris. Add a side of red beans.
Tip: Lines are real; arrive at 11:00 or after 14:00 for the shortest wait.
The Rabbit Hole on Oretha Castle Haley runs DJ sets and live shows under custom murals and a Void Acoustics rig, with weekend parties built around resident.
Tip: Tickets via the venue calendar; the main room runs late on Friday and Saturday with rotating themed nights and a cover charge at the door.
Above the Grid atop the NOPSI Hotel pairs an open-air pool deck with cocktail service, weekend live music and a clear sightline of the CBD skyline.
Tip: Day pool access via ResortPass; bar service runs into the evening with DJs on weekends. The pool closes earlier than the bar.
The Pool Club on the 13th floor of Virgin Hotels New Orleans pairs a wraparound pool deck with cabana seating, resident DJs and a skyline view across the CBD.
Tip: Bar open later than the pool on Thursday to Saturday. Day pool access for non-guests via the hotel's day-pass option.