“I’ve told so many people that [
Tom Weatherly
Louisiana Restaurant Association
People in New Orleans like to do two things: eat and talk about what they eat. Restaurants are in integral party of New Orleans and their comeback is key to the rebuilding of the city. The Guys welcome Tom Weatherly of the Louisiana Restaurant Association to talk about the state of the restaurant scene in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Restaurants took a terrible hit. New Orleans landmark Brennan's lost an estimated million dollars worth of wine due to lack of electricity. Many restrauteurs are struggling to settle insurance claims from an insurance industry not equipped to handle a catastophe of this magnitude. Still restaurants were open soon after the hurricane - many using guidelines for operating after the hurricane established by the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Imagine having to truck in 500 gallons of fresh water each day in order to open your restaurant.
Despite the many hardships the city will be open for Mardi Gras starting with festivities planned for Feb 18th & 19th. There are still an estimated 20,000 - 25,000 hotel rooms available for Mardi Gras. Go if you can!!
Podcast Date: 1/11/2006
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