2007 Jazzfest Travel Wrap-up

I had several great meals at Mr. B’s Bistro, which just opened up mid-April after being shut down for Katrina damage. It is one of my favorite spots in the city as you can sit at the bar to eat, the food is always fantastic,( I recommend the Blackened Tuna) and the bartenders do not make wimpy drinks. You can’t go wrong eating just about anywhere in the city because bad restaurants don’t last long. The one gripe I heard from more than one person this weekend is that the food was great wherever they ate, but the service was fair to lousy. One reason for this is the area is still suffering Katrina fallout and good help is hard to find, so be patient anywhere you venture to eat and realize the food will overpower the service. The service I had at Mr. B’s was great and has been for all the years I have been coming to their establishment.

I stayed at the le Pavilion as I got a great deal on Hotwire for about $150/night, which is not bad since the hotels raise their rates during Jazzfest, Mardi Gras, etc. The employees were friendly, the food in the hotel was good and the room was bigger than I anticipated. The le Pavilion is located in the Central Business District, only a few blocks from the French Quarter. Hotels in that area are usually cheaper, more quiet and roomier than in the French Quarter and you can walk or take a cab and be anywhere in the area in 5-10 minutes.

If you are flying into New Orleans and plan to spend most of your time in the city, don’t bother renting a car. Parking your car at the hotel is about $30-40/day, cabs are cheap, walking is even cheaper and there are a couple of car rental agencies in the area if you want to take a day trip. I never rent a car when I fly down here, not just because of the parking cost but finding a place to park is a nightmare and the cab drivers know the city streets like the back of their hand.