Hi Gang:
Hedy and I haven't been posting much for awhile due to a very hectic travel
schedule (Baltic/Russia cruise, Caribbean cruise, trip to New Orleans) --
plus we've been concentrating on finishing our book -- but I wanted to take
some time to do a report on the recent Seven Stars Signature Event in NOLA.
We've been to several of these in the past -- in New Orleans, Atlantic City
and Las Vegas -- but the folks in the Big Easy continue to do it right and
make it a fun-filled weekend for everyone concerned. In a word, this one
was spectacular.
It began on Thursday night at 6:30 with a gathering at the valet area of
the casino where the Hurricane cocktails flowed freely and Harrah's
representatives handed out white handkerchiefs/bibs to everyone in preparation for
that evening's lobsterfest. At 7, a jazz band led the parade of guests to
the Crazy Lobster restaurant on the shores of the Mississippi for a twilight
dinner consisting mainly of freshly cooked lobsters.
As a local band played, guests were invited to have a caricature done, have
their palms read or pose with a small alligator while a photographer
recorded the big moment for them. We didn't partake of the food offerings since
we had a reservation to eat that night in Ruth's Chris, but our friends
raved about the quality of the meal.
The next day, former NFL quarterback Archie Manning ... father of Super
Bowl champions Peyton and Eli ... made an appearance in the Masquerade area on
the casino floor, chatting with guests, signing autographs and taking
pictures with them. The former Saints QB was very accommodating and gracious
and made sure he greeted every guest personally even though he ran over the
time he was supposed to be there. Like at the Crazy Lobster the night
before, photos were printed immediately and given to guests in a binder.
That night, chef John Besh ... whose Steakhouse is the main restaurant in
the casino ... put on a cooking demonstration in the theater while the
members of the audience ate the dishes he was preparing. The crab-filled shells
appetizer, short ribs and dessert were delicious.
Those events were a lot of fun and efficiently run, but the icing on the
cake came the next night. Just as the sun was setting, guests were loaded
onto a parade of Mardi Gras floats, given light-up beads to wear around their
necks and handed Mardi Gras masks to wear.
On the floats were bags and bags of beads to throw to revelers on the
street as the floats made their way down Canal St. en route to Bourbon St.
The people on the street had no idea what all the fuss was about, and why
this celebration was taking place in the middle of October, but they
certainly got into it, showing their wears as we threw beads to them along the
route.
Once at our destination, Harrah's reps led us to two restaurants on
Bourbon St. that had been closed down especially for our private parties. There
was a buffet-style dinner provided that featured local food choices such as
catfish and jambalaya, but the coup de grace was more bead-throwing from
the balconies atop the restaurants to the sometimes rowdy and raucous crowds
below. Some young ladies left nothing to the imagination while begging for
beads, if you know what I mean!
After all the revelry had come to an end, shuttle buses brought us back to
the casino or the hotel for a much-deserved rest.
Sunday at 9 a.m., coffee and the local treat, beignets, were served in the
theater, although we missed this since we had a very early flight home that
morning.
In summary, I can't say enough about how smoothly this whole weekend was
handled and how much fun Hedy and our guests had taking part in all the
activities. It was the second time we've attended a Seven Stars Signature Event
in NOLA but it won't be the last. The main thing New Orleans has going for
it is that the events it schedules are unique and reflect the character of
the city.
Other venues like Vegas and AC put on parties and shows but we can go to a
party or see a show any time, at any Harrah's property. But how many times
do we get an opportunity to ride on a Mardi Gras float! Or meet an NFL
quarterback. Or have our palm read! Or pose with an alligator! Different ...
and unique.
So, kudos to the staff at Harrah's New Orleans. As far as two Seven Stars
guests from New York are concerned, you got it right.
Regards,
CoachVee & Hedy
PS: As far as the gambling goes, it wasn't a good trip for us, and
continued a fairly long losing streak, but this weekend in AC things turned for
the better when I hit a 4K royal and 2K aces within 15 minutes. Hedy and I
hope the good vibes continue this week back at Harrah's.
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