04 September 2008

ItÃ¢â¬â¢s Back to Buisnes in New Orleans as Residents Return Home

The city of New Orleans wanted to get businesses back before the residents returned home. But you canÃ¢â¬â¢t keep a New Orleanean away from their beloved home for long. Once the storm ran itÃ¢â¬â¢s course, locals were quick to make their way back to the city, against Mayor Ray NaginÃ¢â¬â¢s urgings and requests.

Nagin, along with the local authorities in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes pleaded with residents to give them a chance to clear streets, assess the damages and get power restored before they came back home, asking for a few days to prepare the city for their return.

As far as business is concerned, the Metropolitan New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau said there was "No significant damage to the hospitality infrastructure of New Orleans" from Hurricane Gustav.

In addition, New Orleans CVB officials said they did not anticipate that the storm would have any impact on the upcoming convention and meetings calendar in the coming weeks.

Most businesses are back on track today. The premier luxury hotel, The Ritz Carlton in the French Quarter on Canal Street reopened its doors today and is accepting reservations both at the Ritz and at their neighbor property, The Iberville suites by tomorrow, on Friday, September 5th.

For those in the Quarter back at work or back at home, they don't have to depend on the govenerment issued meals that the National Guard previously dispensed throughout Katrina.

Nor do they need to rely on the local Dominos pizza, once a welcomed sight in the Quarter during Katrina. Award winning chef and James Beard winner, chef John Besh, a trailblazer in the local culinary scene was the first to reopen itÃ¢â¬â¢s restaurant doors at Luke's yesterday, serving both lunch and dinner.

Luke's will remain open until dinner service concludes at 9 p.m. each evening or until the food runs out. The hours will be in effect through Friday, September 5, 2008.

LÃƒ~¼kes will also be featuring a daily special ,dependent on local suppliers for the remainder of the week. The commiteed chefs of Besh Restaurant Group rose early Wednesday morning to hand pick bell peppers from Joe Fekete and procure lamb from Folsom in order to create yesterdayÃ¢â¬â¢s special of Rabbit Stuffed Bell Peppers and Sauce Pecan and Slow Roasted Baby Lamb with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives and Currants.

LÃƒ~¼keÃ¢â¬â¢s is located on St. Charles Avenue in the heart of the New Orleans Business District. If no one answers the phone, donÃ¢â¬â¢t worry. WeÃ¢â¬â¢re told reservations arenÃ¢â¬â¢t necessary, but a hearty appetite is a call to order.

ItÃ¢â¬â¢s business as usual in New Orleans.

By Karen Loftus