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Brunch in the Blue Room Returns This Sunday, Oct. 4
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 | Blue Room, Uncategorized | No Comments
The Roosevelt New Orleans welcomes back a beloved tradition. Beginning Oct. 4, the Blue Room will return to the Sunday brunch circuit by offering guests a gourmet plated brunch, complete with a performance by jazz clarinetist Tim Laughlin and a complimentary glass of champagne.
“The tradition of Sunday brunch in the Blue Room has been part of The Roosevelt for many years,” said general manager Tod Chambers. “We look forward to creating a grand and memorable experience for both guests and locals with a delicious meal and some of the best jazz around.”
The plated brunch will feature gourmet culinary creations by executive chef Stefan Kauth and desserts by executive pastry chef Robert Plouffe. Two culinary stations containing seafood creations and desserts will serve as focal points and add to the pageantry of the meal.
Brunch will be available every Sunday in the Blue Room from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adult plates are $59 and include valet parking and a complimentary glass of champagne. Children 10 and under will be served at half price. Reservations can be made by calling (504) 648-1200.
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Send Us Your Photos!
Monday, September 21st, 2009 | Blue Room, Gallery, History | No Comments
Arthur Wehl, from San Francisco, submitted the following photos.
“The photo of the children is one of me, Arthur Wehl and my cousin, Catherine Mistretta, at the Blue Room in the early 60s. Children would get to sit in special seats in front so that they could see the performers. I became a fan of the Blue Room early on and remember seeing Anthony Newley, Ella Fitzgerald and Lainie Kazan there to name a few.
The photo of the adults is of my mother and father - My mother, in white, with the cigarette, is Josie Mistretta Pardys. My father is behind her, Anthony Wehl. Across from them are my Aunt and Uncle, Evelyn Wehl Vulevich and George Vulevich. The photo appears to be from the late 40s or early 50s. All but my mother have passed away. My mother loved the Blue Room and would have me join her when there were shows that she thought I might enjoy as a child.
What a wonderful magic place! I’m so glad that the hotel is back and that it’s part of the Waldorf group. It deserves to be part of the best….”
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Send Us Your Photos!
Monday, August 31st, 2009 | Blue Room, Gallery | 1 Comment
The above photo was submitted by Gwen S. Anderson - here’s what she had to say about it:
“I’ve attached a photo and the cover from 1964 when we went to see The Lettermen perform. My mom, Lois Schank is in the middle and as you can see she is totally excited. She was chosen to sing with them that night. My Dad wrote on the back of the photo Steppin Out so that’s why it has that name. Pictured from left to right is my Aunt Pat and I am on the far right, Gwen Schank Anderson.”
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Tickets Still Available for Aug. 28 Performance of “The Kingfish” Inside The Roosevelt’s Blue Room
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 | Blue Room, News | 1 Comment
Event Includes Welcome Sazerac Cocktail, Three-Course Dinner and The Kingfish in the Blue Room Aug. 28
Two decades after its triumphant off-Broadway premiere, The Kingfish is back, with an Aug. 28 production of the one-man play depicting the life and times of famed Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long at the location he called home in New Orleans – The Roosevelt New Orleans.
Doors open for the performance Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Blue Room. Featuring actor John “Spud” McConnell, the performance also will celebrate Long’s 116th birthday.
“It’s a phenomenal milestone for The Kingfish to be performed at The Roosevelt Hotel,” said Tod Chambers, general manager of The Roosevelt. “Long was one of the hotel’s devotees. He spent so much time here that, according to Louisiana legend, he even built a 90-mile highway, Airline Highway, directly from the state capitol in Baton Rouge to the hotel.”
In addition to the performance, the evening will consist of a three-course dinner, including red velvet birthday cake; a celebratory Sazerac cocktail; and valet parking.
McConnell has received national acclaim for his on-stage portrayals of Louisiana’s most colorful characters, including Huey P. Long (The Kingfish), Earl K. Long (Earl Long in Purgatory) and Ignatius J. Riley (A Confederacy of Dunces). His career also has taken him to Hollywood for three seasons on ABC’s hit television show Roseanne. He also can be heard weekdays on The Spud Show on WWL 870 AM.
“It’s a great theatre story,” McConnell said. “The Kingfish opened in New Orleans in August 1988 for the Republican National Convention, so it’s special to bring the production back to the city where it all began.”
Tickets for the dinner show, which are limited in number, are $185 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, and can be purchased by calling The Roosevelt at (504) 648-5380.
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King for a Day
Thursday, August 13th, 2009 | Blue Room, Gallery | 1 Comment
Dave Schof sent us in this gem from his visit to the Roosevelt New Orleans. He was nine months old at the time.
“Seventy years ago I was selected ‘King for a Day’ at the Roosevelt. This was a promotion for the motion picture Bachelor Mother, which was premiering at the RKO Orpheum, starring Ginger Rogers. On July 31,2009, my wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at the Blue Room, with a one night stay in the hotel.”
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The Roosevelt New Orleans Celebrates Official Opening with Ribbon-Cutting
Friday, July 31st, 2009 | Blue Room, News, Sazerac Bar | 2 Comments
Milestone Includes Ceremony in Typical New Orleans Style, Along with Dignitaries Present and “Past”
At The Roosevelt’s ribbon-cutting ceremony July 30 are (left to right) former Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long (played by a local actor); principal owner Sam Friedman of Dimension Development; Alan Rose with Dimension Development; Tod Chambers, general manager of the hotel; Paul Brown, president of Global Brands and Shared Services for Hilton Hotels Corporation); Jackie Clarkson, New Orleans City Council vice president); and Stacy Head, member of the New Orleans City Council.
Also at the ceremony were former President Teddy Roosevelt, portrayed by a local actor; Tod Chambers, hotel general manager; Paul Brown, president of Global Brands and Shared Services for Hilton Hotels Corporation; Tim Benolken, senior vice president, also of Hilton Hotels Corporation; Andy Slater, area vice president of Hilton Hotels Corporation); and former Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long, portrayed by a local actor.
To mark its official return as New Orleans’ grand-hotel and a top American luxury property, Hilton Hotels Corporation executives along with New Orleans dignitaries including two “legends” last seen at the hotel almost three-fourths of a century ago cut the ribbon today to The Roosevelt New Orleans, a downtown landmark.
“Today represents the passion and determination of the people of New Orleans, its city leaders and our ownership to preserving the past while celebrating the future of this great city and iconic hotel,” said Tod Chambers, general manager of the 116-year-old hotel. “Ecstatic, proud and a tremendous sense of accomplishment are words that come to mind.”
Following a $145-million historic restoration that returns the Roosevelt name for the first time since 1965, the hotel is the newest member of the Waldorf Astoria Brand. “The Roosevelt holds a special place in the hearts of New Orleanians and visitors from around the world. Today is definitely a day for celebration.”
Joining Chambers to cut the ribbon was Paul Brown, president of Global Brands and Shared Services for Hilton Hotels Corporation, of which the Waldorf Astoria Brand is the luxury arm.
To be part of the Waldorf Astoria Brand, a hotel must be an iconic local landmark that radiates timeless luxury, impeccable service and world-class style,” Brown said. “The Roosevelt does just that. From its classic elegance and storied venues, such as the Blue Room and the Sazerac Bar, to its incomparably rich history, The Roosevelt is archetypical example of the type of property that characterizes the Waldorf Astoria brand.
“Today’s ceremony is another important milestone in Hilton’s continuing commitment to New Orleans and to the vibrant spirit of this community.”
Other presenters were New Orleans City Council president Jacqueline Brechtel Clarkson and principal owner Sam Friedman of Dimension Development.
Taking to the podium following a downtown motorcade in a 1941 yellow convertible Cadillac coupe once owned by the Vanderbilt family were “Louisiana Gov. Huey P. Long” and “U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.” Each was portrayed by a local actor to salute the pair’s connections to the legendary hotel.
Long, a populist governor in the late 1920s and U.S. Senator in the early 1930s until his death in 1935, kept a suite at he hotel for much of his public life and was responsible for tales regarding the hotel that linger today. The name of the hotel, which opened in 1893 as the Grunewald, was changed to The Roosevelt in 1925 in honor of the former President, who also was a frequent guest and whose likeness, complete with spectacles and moustache, still marks one of the hotel’s historic entrances. The hotel bore that moniker until it was renamed the Fairmont in the mid-1960s.
Providing music for the rebirth of the hotel and of the city itself were the Rebirth Brass Band and pianist Ronnie Kole.
The grand hotel boasts 504 rooms, of which 135 are luxury suites, some named for celebrities who once visited the hotel. Other amenities include a comprehensive business center, private dining and suite butler service, an outdoor pool and courtyard, and a specialty gift shop.
The Blue Room also has been restored to its previous splendor and already is serving as a place for families and friends to enjoy good music and food and celebrate life’s special occasions. On Sunday mornings starting in October, the Blue Room will feature a grand brunch complete with delights such as mascarpone-stuffed French toast with house-made satsuma marmalade, boiled Gulf shrimp, a carving table featuring the finest roasted meats and much more.
Guests have the opportunity to enjoy a beverage in the Sazerac Bar and Restaurant, a Roosevelt landmark for decades. The Sazerac Bar serves its signature Sazerac beverage and Ramos Gin Fizz – both invented in New Orleans and made popular worldwide by The Roosevelt and by Long – among other delights. In addition to beverages that stimulate the palate, Sazerac patrons again enjoy the Art Deco-style murals by artist Paul Ninas.
The Roosevelt New Orleans also features nearly 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including three spectacular ballrooms and 23 distinctive meeting and event rooms that span two floors of the hotel.
To take advantage of any of the hotel’s offers, guests and visitors can call 1-800-WALDORF or visit www.therooseveltneworleans.com. For more information about booking any of the rooms, contact Mark Wilson at (504) 648-1200 or at mark.wilson@hilton.com.
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Return of Entertainment to the Sazerac Bar and Blue Room
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 | Blue Room, News, Sazerac Bar | 2 Comments
After nearly 50 years, The Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel is again claiming its spot as a top music destination in the city and around the world.
Starting in July, guests can enjoy the fresh and imaginative sounds of jazz clarinetist Tim Laughlin inside the legendary Sazerac Bar. Laughlin will bring a sound and style that is uniquely his own, contrasting the classic style with which he grew up with the contemporary influences of others. Performance dates are July 9–11, 16–18 and 23–25, with shows beginning at 8 p.m. nightly.
On July 31, legendary clarinetist Pete Fountain will take the stage at the Blue Room with Laughlin. Together they will bring back the kind of star entertainment that once made the Blue Room one of America’s premier night clubs and supper clubs. The event will include a champagne reception and dinner starting at 7 p.m., with music to follow.
The grand hotel returns with 504 rooms, of which 135 are luxury suites; the legendary Blue Room; the Sazerac Bar and Restaurant, John Besh’s Domenica Restaurant and Teddy’s Cafe; state-of-the-art meeting and convention rooms; and a 12,000-square-foot, world-class Guerlain Spa and fitness center.
Other amenities designed to position The Roosevelt New Orleans as a destination favored by travelers include a comprehensive business center, private dining and suite butler service, an outdoor pool and courtyard, and a specialty gift shop.
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Send Us Your Photos!
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 | Blue Room | No Comments
Pat Upshaw submitted the above photo, taken in 1957, of his family enjoying Sunday brunch at the Blue Room. “The attached picture is my favorite. I’m the boy in front. Then my mom, my brother, my cousin, my dad and another cousin. The girls came from the farm in Florida. They still remember that night.”
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Blue Room, Lobby, and Sazerac Bar Renderings
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 | Blue Room, Décor, History, Sazerac Bar, Stories | 3 Comments
The hotel’s famed Blue Room – legendary with locals, visitors and celebrities - will return to the brunch circuit and provide frequent entertainment to delight guests. Get More information on the Blue Room.
The hotel’s grand lobby will be adorned with a one-of-a-kind clock, once featured at the 1867 and 1878 Paris exhibitions. The clock will act as a centerpiece and as a local landmark. It is the largest known to exist.
The Sazerac Bar, a Roosevelt landmark for decades, again will serve its signature Sazerac cocktail and Ramos Gin Fizz – both invented in New Orleans and made popular worldwide by The Roosevelt – among other delights. In addition to beverages that stimulate the palate, patrons again will be able to enjoy the Art Deco-style murals by artist Paul Ninas and woodwork once held in awe by visitors. Get more information on the Sazerac Bar or read about the recent Sazerac Roundtable.
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Meet and Mingle In Style - The Roosevelt New Orleans Welcomes All to its Grand Ballrooms and Meeting Space
Friday, February 20th, 2009 | Blue Room, News | No Comments
If the walls of The Roosevelt New Orleans’ ballrooms and meeting spaces could talk, imagine the magnificent tales they would tell.
“Our ballrooms represent the history and grandeur of New Orleans but also present a location with unmatched service and attention to detail,” said Mark Wilson, marketing and sales director at The Roosevelt New Orleans. “We want our guests to indulge themselves, while also envisioning these spaces as luxurious locations for their special events.”
The Roosevelt New Orleans has undergone a $145-million restoration and will feature nearly 60,000 square feet of event and meeting space. This includes three spectacular ballrooms and 23 distinctive meeting and event rooms that span two floors of the hotel. Additionally, the hotel will offer 504 luxurious rooms and 135 elegant suites located steps from the French Quarter in downtown New Orleans.
The Huey P. Long Executive Boardroom, the hotel’s premiere meeting space, has been named for U.S. Senator and Louisiana Governor Huey Long, who used a suite at The Roosevelt as his headquarters in the 1930s and was well-known by all of the hotel’s staff. Stories abound from his tenure at the hotel, including the flamboyant politician’s greeting of the captain of a visiting German ship while dressed in his green silk pajamas. The boardroom features 570 square feet of space and 10-foot ceilings, as well as the newest telephone, audio/visual and touch-screen lighting control technology available.
The Roosevelt Ballroom, the most expansive and glamorous of the three ballrooms, boasts 20,124 square feet of space and a unique feature not previously available in the hotel’s largest meeting space: “air walls” that quickly and seamlessly convert the room into five smaller spaces to accommodate meetings of various sizes, from a small meeting to a lavish, romantic wedding reception that any bride would envy. Gorgeous chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, dripping with crystal and creating soft, shimmering light throughout the room, regardless of its dimension.
The Crescent City Ballroom features 12,204 square feet of space and numerous layout options, including a banquet configuration for up to 700 people, a schoolroom design with tables and chairs for 523 and a theatre style for up to 1,227.
The Waldorf Astoria Ballroom is the ideal location for anything from a romantic, intimate wedding reception to a small to mid-sized conference. The room features 6,776 square feet of space and 14-foot ceilings, as well as the same five-star service available to all guests of The Roosevelt New Orleans.
The Blue Room - legendary with locals, visitors and celebrities - will return to The Roosevelt New Orleans. In the golden era of supper clubs from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Blue Room played host to some of the best-known names in entertainment and big bands - including Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Marlene Dietrich, and Sonny and Cher - as well as to elaborate floor shows. In addition to hosting Sunday brunch and regular entertainment, the Blue Room again will be available for the most special of special events, including weddings and carnival balls.
