Summer Daze in the CBD

Anyone, anywhere will tell you it's hot this Summer. In New Orleans, it's kind of a given...but these past two or so months have been treacherous, even for the most seasoned of us.

And what's a girl to do when she's sweating as soon as she leaves her house, looking like she just jumped into a pool....wishing she had one? You just make your own dreams come true.

Laying in the shade while Colby sweats in the sun.

When it feels like it's impossible to beat the heat, one option to forget/ignore/day drink it away is to hit a local hotel and take advantage of their local "day passes."
Colby and I always hit up Ace Hotel on Carondelet. The spot is quaint and cooky. Great drinks with a full bar on the rooftop, along with a kitchen for all your eats to keep you full while sipping on cocktails. There are spots to lay for every need if you want to soak in the sun or hide away in the shade...it's there.

We went a few weeks ago and made a whole day of it. Got some Vitamin D, drank this AHMAZING hibiscus cocktail on repeat, and got to mingle and chat with a couple in town from France.
Of course, after the hibiscus that kept on giving, we needed some of that soak-the-alcohol-up food, so we took a walk to one of our favorite spots in the CBD: Johnny Sanchez.

If memory serves me right, we went on a weekday so were able to enjoy their lunch special. My favorite go-to when on any menu: the Cuban sandwich.
It should be noted for those, like me, looking for a good deal and good meal, their lunch specials also come with a side of rice and beans. So worth it. Thank me later.

The pickles HAVE to be made in house. Awesome!!!

Great thing about both of these spots, is they are easily within walking distance of one another. So, if you're looking to get out the house and spend a day having a "stay-cation," this is an easy choice.
And if you just cannot bring yourself to go for a walk once you get to the hotel, Ace has their own in-house restaurant, Josephine Estelle. Amazing brunch, and last time we ate there we sat across from Sam Smith. Just saying...

Not Sam Smith...but I like to think he is just as famous in the Taperts' home.

Oldie, but a real good goodie: Hana Sushi

At any given moment, there are several restaurants opening and closing throughout the city. While that doesn't prove which spots are worth the trip and which ones you could skip, it's important to note the restaurants that stand the test of time.

If you aren't aware...it's hot as hell outside. Although we have been inclined to hibernate almost every weekend this Summer, we did manage to venture out this weekend to hit an oldie but a goodie: Hana Sushi right off Dublin Street.

Like...so hot didn't even think to get a photo of the sign outside. Sorry not sorry.

I remember going here for the first time around 2005 with a friend of mine, Lindsay. This was her favorite sushi spot while attending UNO and for good reason. It's reminiscent of a hole-in-the-wall: no frills, great service, and amazing food. After Katrina, going away to college, and trying my hand at D.C., I will say I haven't been back since then, until today.

My husband, Colby, and I play Final Fantasy online and apparently he made friends with another local and they mentioned how we needed to try this place out. As soon as he brought it up, I knew exactly what and where he was talking about. So we took a ride.

Fourteen years later, literally and thankfully not much has changed. Same decor I remember and same amazing prices. As sushi has grew in popularity, so have the prices when dining out. At Hana, the prices are reasonable and the fish is fresh. Also to be noted, my avocado in my sushi roll was ripe to perfection. It's really the little things, and when I get a piece of avocado that's not ripe enough...it kind of sucks. Pro tip for other sushi spots: wait to use the avocado until it's really READY...just do it.

We enjoyed the Crawfish Roll, Caterpillar Roll, and Philly Roll.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true New Orleans meal without a little alcohol...or a true Japanese dining experience without some sake. We are not really schooled on the different kinds of sake, but I definitely prefer cold over hot. One that we tend to purchase on the regular is Black and Gold. I mean...duh...how can we not?

Should be noted, even the bottles of sake are priced amazingly.

All in all, for a hot ass day in New Orleans, it was so worth the drive down St. Charles to Hana Sushi. So glad Colby reminded me of this spot and cannot wait to go back.

Let's see if I can get Colby to use this as his profile photo...