Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Upon re-opening on October 19, Hyatt Regency New Orleans is set to completely revitalize the downtown dining scene with an unparalleled portfolio of culinary experiences. The 32-story hotel will offer all-new dining destinations of varying style and cuisine, each showcasing fresh, innovative flavors in warm, engaging environments. Following a $275 million transformation, the iconic hotel’s expansive food and beverage collection ranges from sophisticated local cuisine to gourmet on-the-go fare, offering guests truly diverse culinary concepts developed, created and prepared fresh daily on-site.

Overseeing the hotel’s impressive culinary program is Executive Chef Eric Damidot, a Caesar’s Palace Hotel & Casino alum with 25 years of global experience. Under his supervision, the kitchens of Hyatt Regency New Orleans will strive for perfection with fresh and simple favorites for guests and locals alike by incorporating local, sustainable ingredients and creating menus with a ‘farm to table’ mentality.

8 Block Kitchen & Bar
The cornerstone of the hotel’s illustrious dining options, 8 Block Kitchen & Bar pays homage to the eight blocks that comprise Upper Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, one of the city’s most iconic and historic attractions known for local culture and classic cuisine. Serving breakfast and lunch, the 360-seat, full-service restaurant will offer a menu of local, seasonally inspired dishes that fuses traditional New Orleans style with international flair Chef Eric has acquired throughout his career. Diners are invited to start their day with delectable warm dishes from the breakfast buffet or sample the a la carte menu, which features Fried Oyster Eggs Benedict, Papa Tom Stone-ground Grits and classic New Orleans Beignets. Lunch specialities include New Orleans staples such as She Crab Soup, Rotisserie Coq au Coin Farm Chicken Gumbo, Garlic and Pepper Crusted Gulf Shrimp, Belgium Endive & Frisée Salad with Bayou Duck Confit, Grilled Cajun Black Drum Fish and the city’s famed Muffaletta sandwich. Additionally, 8 Block Kitchen offers tanatalizing beverages, including hand-squeezed lemonades, crafted iced teas, fresh juices and vintage-inspired cocktails to complement every meal. Boasting an exhibition kitchen as well as a sumptuous pastry station with mouthwatering desserts, the restaurant ensures everyone has the best seat in the house.

Conveniently located in the heart of the hotel atrium, the bar offers a carefully curated cocktail menu and gourmet bites served in a sidewalk café inspired environment. Open 18 hours a day, the 70-seat bar provides a relaxed setting for guests to start their day with freshly brewed, gourmet coffee and artisanal pastries baked on-site daily, or unwind with masterfully crafted cocktails, local beers and a hand-selected collection of varietals from notable young wineries. Complementing the innovative libations are cheeses from the finest local cheese mongers and a variety of house-cured meats and sausages from the city’s best butchers. The bar is the quintessential spot to begin or end an evening and sit and watch all of the action in the hotel unfold.

Vitascope Hall
Named after the world’s first for-profit movie theater built in New Orleans in 1896, Vitascope Hall touts a state-of-the-art entertainment system with 25 flat-screen TVs and histrocially modern American cuisine that extends well beyond typical bar fare. Specialty sandwiches include the signature Vitascope Hall Burger; an eight ounce custom ground Angus and Kobe beef potato chip curst burger served with brie cheese and caramelized onions, slowly Cooked Pork Belly Sandwich, and Po-Boys with choice of Shrimp, Fried Oysters, BBQ Beef or BBQ Pulled Pork. All-day small bites include Crawfish and Pork Sausage Pigs in a Blanket and Homemade ‘Chippery’ Potato Chips. A highlight of the Vitascope Hall menu is its exceptional raw bar, offering a seasonal selection of locally sourced Louisiana seafood and beautifully presented, top-quality sushi, nigiri and sashimi. The lively bar also features some of the state’s best crafted beers, as well as bespoke cocktails exclusively concieved by the bar’s mixologist.

With 210 seats and an abundance of flat-screen TVs broadcasting the day’s must-see sporting events, news and music videos, Vitascope Hall is an ideal setting for a mid-week lunch, after-work drinks or a football-filled Sunday. Additionally, the bar will soon launch an interactive iPhone and Android application to keep patrons on top of the latest food and cocktail specials, poll their opinions on hot topics, such as Sunday Night Football picks, pop culture trends and music preferences, as well as influence the bar’s music scene as digital guest DJs.

Starbucks
With approximately 60 seats, Starbucks at Hyatt Regency New Orleans will feature a selection of freshly brewed coffees and teas, espresso drinks and snack options. Conveniently located on the second floor, Starbucks will be open daily to guests and local visitors.

Lagniappe Exchange
Guests looking to satisfy any-time cravings need to look no further than Lagniappe Exchange, a 24-hour fresh market and convenience store that stocks fruit, breakfast pastries and sandwiches, as well as a gumbo of the day, salads, hot & cold sandwiches, sushi and desserts, all prepared daily. Visitors can also purchase select toiletries, health and beauty products, and sundries.

Whole Hog Café
Devoted to the pursuit of barbeque perfection, Whole Hog Café, operated by Hyatt Regency New Orleans, employs top-secret cooking techniques and a 2,000 pound smoker to deliver award-winning dishes, including succulent pulled pork, tender beef brisket, smoked chicken and finger-licking BBQ ribs. Whole Hog Café sandwiches are available at Lagniappe Exchange and 8 Block Kitchen & Bar. The café also offers off-site catering and will be featured in Champions Square before the Saints games this season to satisfy the barbeque cravings of New Orleans sports fans.


About Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Hyatt Regency New Orleans will re-open on October 19, 2011 following a $275 million redesign and revitalization and feature 1,193 guest rooms and suites, 200,000 square feet of meeting and event space, expansive food and beverage offerings, and unprecedented service. Located downtown on Loyola Avenue, the hotel is adjacent to the Louisiana Superdome and anchors the vibrant Sports and Entertainment District. Hyatt Regency New Orleans borders the new Medical District, the Arts & Entertainment District and is just blocks from the French Quarter, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Mississippi Riverfront. For reservations and additional
information, please call 888.591.1234 or visit www.neworleans.hyatt.com.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 23, 2011) – The iconic Hyatt Regency New Orleans furthers its extraordinary transformation with the debut of two, exquisite 25,000-square-foot ballrooms, The Empire Ballroom and The Celestin Ballroom, when the hotel opens on October 19, 2011. Both spaces combine lavish design with unprecented service and attention to detail. In the iconic hotel’s comprehensive $275 million redesign, award-winning interior design firm Looney & Associates in collaboration with HC Architecture bring their sophisticated vision to life in revitalizing the Downtown New Orleans hotel for local residents, as well as leisure and business travelers.

Principal designer Jim Looney says the city’s dynamic culture and rich history influenced many of the team’s decisions. “The interior design references the unique elements of the city’s architecture and redefines them,” adds Looney. “Our goal was to create an overall design effect inspired by New Orleans jazz itself; an unmistakable cool, modern vibe.”

“We have achieved a truly spectacular transformation at Hyatt Regency New Orleans, and at the center of it all is our amazing Empire Ballroom, which is unlike anything you will find in city or likely the region,” says Michael Smith, General Manager. “With our sleek, contemporary design, incredible culinary offerings and unmatched level of service, we will set a new standard as the leading events destination in New Orleans.”

Positioned to be the new social center of New Orleans, the 25,000-square-foot Empire Ballroom is named for the city’s own historic Empire Theater and fuses the city’s classic design heritage and culture with modern archictecture and sleek interiors. The room’s signature design elements include six glistening chandeliers made of Italian hand-blown glass teardrops, and five delicate candelabra fixtures lining the ballroom’s grand entryway that complement the traditional filigree motifs throughout. Offering an impressive sense of arrival unlike anywhere else in New Orleans, guests will marvel at the dramatic floating staircase leading to the 10,000-square-foot pre-function space adjacent to the ballroom. Upon entering the ballroom, rich shades of raspberry, mink and champagne truly bring the space to life. With its striking floor-to-ceiling glass windows and access to a private, outdoor terrace, The Empire Ballroom provides a distinguished atmosphere for social events year-round.

Named after famed American jazz musician Oscar “Papa” Celestin, The Celestin Ballroom features a slightly different color palette with shades of sapphire, cerulean and silver. The architectural details include interlocking, bracelet-style custom woodwork with beveled mirrors that embellish both the walls and ceiling to showcase the ballroom’s twelve crystal chandeliers. Inspired by the elegance of French damask and New Orlean’s entwined streetways, the ballroom’s overall design truly captures the city’s design history. Both The Celestin and Empire Ballrooms can host events up to 3,000 guests.

Executive Chef Eric Damidot, who was most recently at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas, will lead the culinary team in creating bespoke menus that feature custom dishes highlighting ingredients sourced from local purveyors alongside house baked breads and pastries. Chef Damidot brings incredible experience, fresh ideas, and gastronomic creativity to the New Orleans culinary scene. The hotel’s special events team brings 30 years of experience in the local market and across the country. With this pedigree, they will fully anticipate guests’ needs and work with them every step of the way to ensure each event is flawless and memorable.

As part of its $275 million transformation, the legendary hotel has doubled its meeting and event space to 200,000 square feet, the most of any hotel in the city, as well as the unique ability to self-contain group events of all sizes. The 32-story hotel’s 1,193 guestrooms and suites have also been completely revitalized, utilizing a color palette of warm gold and ivory envelope with berry accents and sapphire blue highlights. New modern lighting and plush carpeting showcase amenities such as ergonomic work stations, flat-screen televisions, wireless internet access, in-room refrigerators and pillow-top mattresses fitted with sumptuous linens. Guest baths feature new natural stone floors, backlit mirrors and plush towels. Local artwork adds bursts of color, but the best views remain those of downtown New Orleans.

The landmark hotel is now accepting event bookings for The Empire Ballroom and The Celestin Ballroom. For a personal tour or additional information, please call 504.587.4131.

About Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Hyatt Regency New Orleans will re-open on October 19, 2011 following a $275 million redesign and revitalization and feature 1,193 guest rooms and suites, 200,000 square feet of meeting and event space, expansive food and beverage offerings, and unprecedented service. Located downtown on Loyola Avenue, the hotel is adjacent to the Louisiana Superdome and anchors the vibrant Sports and Entertainment District. Hyatt Regency New Orleans borders the new Medical District, the Arts & Entertainment District and is just blocks from the French Quarter, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Mississippi Riverfront. For reservations and additional information, please call 888.591.1234 or visit www.neworleans.hyatt.com.

Contact:
Emily Hottensen
Susan Magrino Agency
352 Park Avenue South, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10010
p: 212.957.3005
e: emily.hottensen@smapr.com