Took a walk around the French Quarter (in New Orleans) with my daughters today and came across a new establishment named Havana Dreams at 1101 Decatur St (not too far from Margaritaville). It's a cigar lounge.

They didn't have a huge stock of cigars, in fact what they had was the two walls lined with shelves that were sort of sparsely stocked with a varied selection of smokes. They had some Patel's, at least 6 boxes of 601's, some of the Drew Estates lines and a bunch of brand's I'm not familiar with. All of these were just sitting on the shelves. There were also several humidors sitting on the counter with some premium smokes in them - including about a half of box of the small Opus X.

The place had several couches and nice chairs as well as a couple of tables with chess sets. I didn't see any beverages for sale but, hey!, this is New Orleans. Just go next door to the bar and bring your own in. It looks like it would be a nice place to kill a couple of hours relaxing with a cigar.

I think the guy I talked to is Alex Fleming who's card says he's the store manager. He said they have only been open for about 5 months. Fleming said he used to work for General Cigar.

I picked up a couple of figurados from him to smoke later but I didn't write the brand name down. He said they are from a new company that was formed by a couple or rollers who used to work for Pepin. I've emailed him to get the brand name.
[Reply]

Ahhh,,,no wonder I haven't seen them because we went there right after Jazzfest. When we go this year I will check it out,,,thx for the post.
[Reply]

Headed down to the to NOLA for Valentine's day with the wife, so I will have to check it out. I understand the Ritz-Carlton has a daily fee lounge called "The Library", not much info on the website about it though.
[Reply]

Make sure to stop by Cafe Du Monde for the coffee and beignets and for mufullata sandwiches try Central Grocers right down the street. You won't find better.
[Reply]

I love the sandwiches at Central Grocers. Have you ever eaten at Dickie Brennan's steakhouse? We love it and go each time we are there. Also i never miss a chance for a Hand Grenade!!
[Reply]

You can't miss eating at Maspero's either. I had their Cajun Jambalaya for lunch today. The prices are very reasonable also, just be prepared to stand in line to get in the door.

It's not in the French Quarter itself but another good place to eat is the little place on Poydras named Mother's. Best Roast Beef PoBoy you'll ever eat.
[Reply]

The two cigars I bought at Havana Dreams are Flor De Camaguey Perfectos with the Spanish Rosado wrappers. I'll do a review after I try them.
[Reply]

I like Havana Dreams a lot. Every time I go Castro is working (the guy with the beard) and he makes good suggestions for me. The prices are also very reasonable.

They are also very honest about cigars and if you really want something they don't carry, they'll tell you where to find it nearby. That goes a long way in my book, and every time I'm downtown it's the first place I go now - everytime.
[Reply]

We were in a boutique hotel just around the corner from Mothers,,,and we stopped in because I was hungry,,,Wow! What a find! You are correct sir about this place and I did get the Po Boy roast beef and thought I found a little piece of heaven.

The parking situation in this area sucks so we parked for free at the Casino for anyone who visits the area and doesn't want to pay the $20 a night parking. We play at the casino anyway so why not park for free there? The hotel was 2 blocks away so it turned out perfect for me to park there and smoke a short story back to the hotel. I love it when a plan comes together!:-)
[Reply]

Yes sir, Dickie Brennans is a must and thanks for the the "Hand Grenade" suggestion,,,we are going again this year between the jazz fest week. We stay at the same hotel for $65 a night ( Hotwire 4 star hotel )
[Reply]

I emailed Havana Dreams with a couple of questions and comments. I just received a nice reply to my question on their humidification system. The following was from the owner...

Some of our stock inventory is kept in a back room with a humidifier. Another part is kept outside on the floor underneath the shelves as you might have seen.

You might have noticed that we also have an industrial humidification system installed above our back room door which along with another floor humidifier does the job of keeping the cigars as well as the entire store at a 70% humidity. However, I will say that I have noticed that the cigars that don't have the cellophane covering tend to always be a little drier than those that do....I guess that the cellophane just helps hold in the moisture or humidification.

As you know the Camaguey's are one of the few cigars that don't come with cellophane so I am sure that helped contribute to you having felt yours a little dry.
[Reply]

:-) :-)
[Reply]

stopped by this place yesterday while in teh quarter for the super bowl. New to cigars and I wanted a potential celebratory cigar, so I took your advice and talked to the bearded guy with the hat for suggestions. He helped me out and I really liked my RP world reserve which ended up being that celebratory cigar. Thanks for the tip everyone
[Reply]

Coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde :-) It is not the same even if you buy the box mix.

The Cafe du Monde inside the mall is better than the original cafe. :-)
[Reply]

2 more months and we'll be going here again. The beignets I eat by the dozen and the coffee is better freshly made at either place. Can't wait to stop by the cigar place as well. Tic Toc
[Reply]

if you really like beignets, you have to try morning call on Severn in Metairie too. They keep their powdered sugar in massive trashcan bins
[Reply]

Spent my New Years in NOLA. Most of my time was spent in the cigar lunge in the Ritz. Now that was nice! Just remember to bring your own.
[Reply]

Now something is wrong here: Very Honest & Prices Very Reasonable but in the French Quarter?? Sure it was not a dream?:-)

I will sure stop in there on my next trip to the CBD. Don't forget Acme Oyster Bar on any New Orleans (or now also Baton Rouge) visit. :-)
[Reply]

I met Ernesto Perez Carrillo there for an interview during IPCPR. Really nice little place to smoke with a comfortable feel. I think it was up on the 3rd or 4th floor, off of the balcony.

I wouldn't buy my cigars there though, just inside the door is a glass top humidor with cigars for sale. The flavored stuff was in the same compartment as the Opus X (I believe they were touching one another).

Cool place to go but I would most definitely bring my own cigars.
[Reply]

Wow is NO a great place for a cigar smoker!!! My wife and I are here for a few days of merriment, and last night we went to several clubs that I smoked in.

The food ain't bad either!!! Thanks for all the great suggestions.
[Reply]