628148 Mon Jun 15 13:59:02 -0700 2009 16 9 New Orleans 0 4775076 I know EC had said that he knew someone who will be working at the Roosevelet when they reopen in July. My question is this-we have booked a suite there from July 12-15th. Originally they were slated to be complete early June, and my concern is that they will not be up and running prior to our visit. Any insight? I cannot wait to visit the Sazerac Bar and have brunch at the Blue Room, as I have heard so many stories and they are incremental to my family history (ie weddings etc) We generally stay with family but truly cannot pass up the opportunity to visit the Roosevelt. If anyone has heard anything about the restaurants, bars, or hotel itself, please share! Thanks in advance and I cannot wait to be home in July! Mon Jun 15 13:59:02 -0700 2009 276431 ScarlettNola 1 4775128 When the renovation was announced, a friend who is familiar with the business said he thought June was optimistic and b'god he was right. But I have heard nothing indicating that they are running far behind. I cannot imagine the W-A Collection would want egg on its face by turning people away. Need to get a new white linen suit/spectator shoes for The Sazerac Mon Jun 15 14:16:19 -0700 2009 4775076 107060 hazelhurst 2 4775146 I cannot wait! I plan on being there every night for at least one Sazerac! I am so excited! I hope to see some of my Chowhound friends there! Just bought hubby seersucker suit from Brooks Brothers for Galtoires. It would work there as well. I am happy to say that I borrowed my grandmothers dress from the 40s and plan to wear it when we visit the Sazerac Bar for the first time. Mon Jun 15 14:22:31 -0700 2009 4775128 276431 ScarlettNola 3 4776032 Grandma's dress from the forties? That otta be swell. You'll be one of the few wearing white gloves...I take it as a matter of fact that you will Mon Jun 15 18:47:50 -0700 2009 4775146 107060 hazelhurst 4 4776552 Absolutely! Mon Jun 15 22:43:47 -0700 2009 4776032 276431 ScarlettNola 1 4775823 word I hear is June 25th! no word on date for Besh's restaurant yet. Mon Jun 15 17:52:20 -0700 2009 4775076 195694 edible complex 2 4776130 We were hoping that they'd be up and running, for our last visit. Even looked into staying there, but were just too early. I've been amazed at how quickly some major rennovations can go. Had a major event at a local resort, that was also undergoing major rennovation. We were there two nights before for a kickoff, and the ballroom and stage area looked to be a week away, at best. Two nights later, 1/4 of Hollywood and 1/2 of Nashville was in the room, and all was perfect. I'd have lost big $'s had I bet - I gave them 2 good weeks to get it all done. Here's hoping that the re-opening will be spectacular, and that we can stay there next trip. Hunt Mon Jun 15 19:17:45 -0700 2009 4775823 11329 Bill Hunt 2 4776932 Besh's restaurant and the spa are scheduled for later in the summer. I was told August, but that's tentative. Tue Jun 16 05:47:21 -0700 2009 4775823 11111 Frolic 3 4777002 I heard the same thing, August. I actually heard that they had pulled workers off the restaurant to finish the rest of the hotel before, and that they're working 6 days in 12 hour shifts. But that's just what I heard... Tue Jun 16 06:17:24 -0700 2009 4776932 78662 uptownlibrarian 4 4777096 Yeah, when I toured it a few weeks ago, the Besh restaurant pretty much looked like a shell. I was told that they want to open with the guest rooms, the Sazerac Bar, the Blue Room and the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom (formerly the Grand ballroom) open. The Besh restaurant, the Guerlain spa and some of the meeting space will open later. Tue Jun 16 06:49:35 -0700 2009 4777002 11111 Frolic 5 4777446 John Besh's publicist has stated a July 1 opening on her blog. Very cool! http://simonesez.com/blog.php "Domenica is set to open in New Orleans’ historic downtown Roosevelt Hotel on July 1st of this year with Chef Alon Shaya in partnership and in the kitchen." Tue Jun 16 08:25:49 -0700 2009 4777096 96365 TulaneJeff 6 4806400 A friend of a friend just interviewed there for a top position, so they don't have much staff in place yet. Thu Jun 25 14:23:40 -0700 2009 4777446 115805 KateMW 2 4806431 We walked by the Roosevelt when we were down 2 weeks ago. Even in the sweltering heat I had to stop and stare in awe. It's beautiful, if only the walls could talk. Still couldn't walk on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. Had to gawk from across the street. It's on our list of places to visit next year. Thu Jun 25 14:31:07 -0700 2009 4775823 272980 sueinwis 3 4806474 Cannot wait to stay there in a few weeks and hope it is all ready! Thu Jun 25 14:44:49 -0700 2009 4806431 276431 ScarlettNola 4 4807814 they had their first function last night. Sazerac to be open to public July 1st. Fri Jun 26 06:14:08 -0700 2009 4806474 195694 edible complex 5 4808006 That will be a madhouse, I am certain. Fri Jun 26 07:24:09 -0700 2009 4807814 276431 ScarlettNola 5 4808780 Did you go? How was it? I'm thinking about staying there in August instead of getting our normal International House reservation. Fri Jun 26 11:07:41 -0700 2009 4807814 115805 KateMW