![]() Pamela Bryan / Photo courtesy Pamela Bryan ![]() Longue Vue House / Courtesy Louisiana Travel ![]() 5200 Dauphine / Courtesy Ryan Schmidt, UTSA. |
![]() Carlos Zervigon glass sculptures / Courtesy Cole Pratt Gallery ![]() Dooky Chase Restaurant / Courtesy gwen |
Pamela Bryan is the director of The New Orleans Preservation Resource Center's Operation Comeback, which seeks to preserve the architecture and culture of New Orleans neighborhoods. Pamela is also owner and director of Octavia Art Gallery. Octavia Art Gallery's mission is to bring contemporary artists to New Orleans and also to showcase the cultural wealth the city has to offer.
Best New Architecture
930 Poydras
“To me, this is post Katrina rebuilding in a contemporary sustainable way that speaks to enhance the skyline of our Central Business District. Eskew+Dumez+Ripple's commitment to enhance and protect both the cultural and natural environments of our community is evident in the beauty and craftsmanship of their designs and in the long-term sustainability of their projects.”
Best Historic Architecture
Longue Vue House and Gardens
“Longue Vue House and Gardens is an oasis in our metropolitan city. It is a national historic landmark designed by architects William and Geoffrey Platt and landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman that demonstrates classical, regional, and local styles of architecture.”
Best 'Off-the-Beaten-Path' Architecture
5200 Dauphine St.
“A new community center at 5200 Dauphine Street will serve as a ‘home’ and central gathering place for the Holy Cross Neighborhood, while also linking residents to green building technologies, materials and training opportunities. As well, 5200 Dauphine is the first LEED Platinum Certified building in the state of Louisiana, the highest rating in a program widely accepted as the standard for environmentally sensitive design. Designed by Wayne Troyer Architects in collaboration with the Preservation Resource Center, 5200 Dauphine has showcased reused materials as well as the highest standards in energy performance and historic preservation.”
Best Museums and Galleries
Octavia Art Gallery
“Octavia Art Gallery has impressive and exciting exhibitions that rotate monthly, and they represent international and regional contemporary artists in a number of media. The gallery has created a space that is refreshing in its take on contemporary art.”
Cole Pratt Gallery
“Cole Pratt Gallery, located in Uptown New Orleans, showcases works by contemporary, Southern artists. Founded in 1993 by the late Cole Pratt, the gallery's legacy continues under owner and longtime director Erika Olinger.”
Arthur Roger Gallery
“Since opening in New Orleans more than 30 years ago, Roger has played a major role in developing the local art community and in tying it to the art world in New York. His exhibitions range from strongly regional work to the far-flung.”
Best Drinking, Dining, and Shopping
Coquette
“Coquette’s rising star, chef and owner Michael Stoltzfus, subscribes to the theory that fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are key to a great meal. As a result, the menu “evolves” daily depending on the season and what looks best. The restaurant is located in the New Orleans Garden District a beautiful building from the 1880′s.”
Gautreau's
“Gautreau's has elegant surroundings and a menu that is both inventive and down to earth. The cooking here has always respected the classic New Orleans flavors, and been largely French-inspired.”
Dooky Chase Restaurant
“Known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase's family restaurant serves up creole and soul food in an atmosphere full of local art.”