TR-3/27-3/30 Harrah's Hotel, Carousel Bar, Commanders Palace

Will post as a reply, this was a ';free'; junket with Harrah%26#39;s from Austin to NOLA. Traveler%26#39;s 2 40 something married couple that go to NOLA several times per year for dining, drinking, socializing, relaxation, and me - slots.

TR-3/27-3/30 Harrah's Hotel, Carousel Bar, Commanders Palace

Harrah%26#39;s has recently started offering weekend stays with free flights on Continental out of Austin, San Antonio and Waco. 2 years ago they used Express Jet which was direct and we went several times. We decided we were over due for a visit to NOLA, not having been since Tales of the Cocktail in July %26#39;08.

Flight was connection early morning through Houston, uneventful, pickup by bus/van from Harrah%26#39;s included. Only 8 people in total on this trip - very low turnout compared to other junkets I have done.

Dropped the bags, walked down to Hotel Montelone and our favorite bartender, Marvin was there at 11 am. He makes the best Ramos Gin Fizzs, had a couple, talked about the Tales and the Hotel%26#39;s upcoming 60th anniversary in May. Caught a cab over to Commander%26#39;s for our traditional 25 cent martini lunch. Was somewhat disappointed with service, drinks, and seating compared to our other numerous visits for this. I equate it to the time I picked for our reservation 1pm - normally we go at 11:30, and have always been seated in the dining room with no crowd, great service and food and drink.

This time, it was raining, they walked us through the court yard and into the atrium to be seated with alot of women celebrating something with a bunch of little kids - great!! Martini%26#39;s were warm and mixed poorly - not the usual experience. Had the seafooe gumbo - good, and then fish special - sorry can%26#39;t remember what type - it was good, but nothing was outstanding. Did have some cafe au latte and sambuca - that was the highlight of the lunch.

Back to Harrah%26#39;s to check in around 3 pm, room was ready, clean, beautiful and staff was excellent as always. Their hotel is top notch and I%26#39;ve never had a problem there, only thing lacking is no jacuzzi tubs, just soaking tubs.

Went and played some slots, loved the new Wizard Oz put in by the Canal entrance - very addicting, and Dorothy and Glenda were not kind this trip. Though it did appear that the top Progressive was hit 3 times out of my 4 day stay. Drink service was good, but drinks are small.

We at dinner this night at Grande Isle, charged it to the room to use points later, was ok, I think our choices were bad, being Catholic and Friday during Lent had fish, so we split a fried shrimp po-boy and onion rings. Was just ok, OR-where the thin type. The boiled shrimp at the next table looked to die for, we should have gone with something like that. Dessert was the breadbudding excellent, melt in your mouth. Total bill with 3 drinks for $63.00

Day 2: Breakfast at Mothers%26#39; we both got eggs over medium one with Dupree and one with the black ham, as always delicous and service with a smile. Best thing at Mother%26#39;s too me is the 2 big bisquits. Stuffed, we went and took the Ferry over to Alger%26#39;s Island and walked around looking at the architecture and talking to a few people out working on their lawns.

Went back and headed down to the Absinthe House, a favorite of my husband%26#39;s since he is an absinthe enthusiast, and we have pretty much every brand in our home bar with our own fountain and accessories. We also have frequented other Absinthe bars here in Austin Pesce and Absinthe in San Fran. This is when we realized that several blocks of the French Quarter was without electric due to 2 transformers blowing up Friday night about 5 pm, the power outage ended up lasting about 28/29 hours into Sat night about 8:30 pm. We must be used to showing up during HH, because a pour of absenthe Lucid was $17 a little pricey in our book. Also, when are they going to get some fountains, they finally don%26#39;t have serve the fake stuff and they can%26#39;t go out and buy some fountains?? We are beginning not to be as fond of them as we have in the past. There was no electric and they ran the credit card by hand. Next onto Razoo%26#39;s to look at the blue flame and have some 3 for 1 Redbull and Vodka. 3 shots with one diet redbull was $10.50 pretty good deal, as at the Absinthe House one shot of vodka and redbull was $12. Went back to Harrah%26#39;s to gamble, hubby went and walked around after a nap and then we met up at the Green Room on Decatur next to the House of Blues. We were supposed to pick up our Will Call tickets but they were closed due to the power outage. So by now it was beginning to get dark and it was cool being in the Green Room in the dark with all the candles, had a burger and mozzarella sticks food was good and a traditional absinthe dripped from the fountain was only $10. The owner and her husband - sorry forget their names but they also own I think the ';Brass Monkey'; were very nice, believe she was from Costa Rica and he was from NY. Nice couple. Lacey is a great bartender and kept everyone in good spirits in the dark and the drinks full!

Unfortunately, let%26#39;s just say someone had a little too much absinthe so the lights finally came on at 8:30 and we didn%26#39;t stay for the show, so back to the slots for me, and up to the room for someonelse.

TR-3/27-3/30 Harrah's Hotel, Carousel Bar, Commanders Palace

Thanks for your report! Sounds like you had a lot of fun! I%26#39;m also really not impressed with Grande Isle. I%26#39;ve tasted several dishes there and the food has been mediocre at best.

Day 3:

Up late today! Didn%26#39;t head out until after 1 pm, went down to Jackson Square, listened to some great music from 2 guys that belong in Austin! Went in and said a prayer and looked around St. Louis Cathedral, then tried to go to Cafe Beignets? across from Cafe DuMonde but they were closed so had to opt for Cafe DuMonde, listened to the sisters on their guitar and fiddle - great as always and enjoyed our coffee and Beignets. Walked around doing nothing in particular and went and gambled a little before our dinner reservation at Bamboo in Harrahs.

Dinner we had a $100 coupon, we had crab and cream cheese egg rolls and fried dumblings both were great. My only complain with this place was couldn%26#39;t get a decent drink - asked for a Mai Tai, huh?, asked for a Pina Colada, no maam, ok Rum and Diet Coke, do you believe he stood there trying to tell me they didn%26#39;t have any - I argued with him and sent him back to the kitchen, low and behold a Captain Morgan and Diet - THANK U! This is unbelievable because there is a full bar right in front of Bambu but they don%26#39;t utilize it, they use their own liquor back by the kitchen. We had honey wasabi shrimp and pepper rib eye - both were excellent. The highlight though was 4 scoops of green tea ice cream in an almound brittle bowl topped with marshmallow sauce - OMG the best I ever had. We spent up the full $100 and left a $20 and were on our way. Early night for the DH, and more Dorothy for me!

Last day, leaving for airport on the free shuttle at 4 pm. We went to a great little place called Lil Dizzies in the Wyndham Hotel at Camp and Canal. Very interesting, being in the old bank building and the kitchen is right outside the vault. Beautiful marble and original architecture. DH had the jambalaya omelette and I had a less distinct one. Food and service was great, lovely setting, little less expensive than Mothers, loved the mural%26#39;s of Laural and Hardie and 3 stoogies with famouns people from NOLA very interesting place, will definately put this on our list of have to visit every visit. Was recommended by the doorman at Harrah%26#39;s good suggestion.

Then we went to say our good bye%26#39;s to Marvin at the Carousel!! What a great guy, my DH talks non-stop about mixology and different drinks he has made and all the old fashioned cocktails, we had 2 more of the best Ramos Gin Fizzes in NOLA, and bid it farwell.

Once again, every single industry person we dealt with was of the best service and class - from the old school to the new school, everyone knows how to treat a visitor in New Orleans, we%26#39;ll be back for Tales of the Cocktail in July have had it booked since Sept!

Thanks for reading hope I didn%26#39;t bore you too much!

Enjoyed your TR. I%26#39;ve seen you on the LV forum. I%26#39;ll be in NOLA in 2 weeks for the FQF, and in LV for the MEGA in June. I hope we get a chance to meet.

Sounds like you and I share the same two favorite cities!

Thanks pool, yes and add Tahoe to the top 3. I may be at the Mega on the 3rd - still trying to work out some details

CRAustin: Thank you for your informative trip report. Busy taking notes from you.