FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Mary Beth Romig or Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com


                COOLinary New Orleans Participating Restaurant List Expands to 38 Strong
             Sixteen new restaurants join the COOLinary New Orleans restaurant promotion adding
                                  more reasons to participate in the annual culinary experience

New OrleansAugust 21, 2009—The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announces the addition of several iconic New Orleans restaurants to the line up for the annual restaurant promotion, “COOLinary New Orleans—Celebrating Dining in America’s Most Delicious City.” The two month promotion, which began in August, offers special three-course lunch menus for $20 and three-course dinner menus for $34 through September 30.

The culinary event commemorates New Orleans’ distinguished and eclectic restaurant community, which recently celebrated the opening of its 1,000th restaurant, a new city record. This also comes at a time when the city anticipates several new restaurant openings in the next several months.

“COOLinary is an opportunity to live it up for less in New Orleans, offering guests the renowned, delectable cuisine that is part of the reason so many visitors choose to travel here,” said Kim Priez, vice president of tourism sales for the New Orleans CVB. “The promotion gives everyone a chance to experience some of the finest dining in the world, while also driving locals to sample classic New Orleans dishes that were often invented within their own neighborhoods.”

Recent restaurant additions include: 7 on Fulton, Antoine’s Restaurant, Café Giovanni, Iris, La Côte Brasserie, Le Meritage, Lüke, Muriel’s Jackson Square, Pascal’s Manale, Rambla, Restaurant Cuvée, Rib Room, Slice Pizzeria, The Flaming Torch, The Grill Room and Zoë.

The restaurants above join classic favorites such as: Arnaud’s Restaurant, Bacco, Bayona, Bombay Club, Bourbon House Seafood, Brennan’s Restaurant, Broussard’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Cafè Adelaide, Café Amelie, Café Degas, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Galatoire’s, Martinique Bistro, Melánge, Palace Café, Ralph & Kacoo’s, Red Fish Grill, The Creole Skillet, The Pelican Club and Tujague’s Restaurant.

Visit www.coolinaryneworleans.com to see the growing list of restaurants and to learn more about COOLinary New Orleans. Also available are unique specials as well as the latest information and menus from participating restaurants.

Consistently recognized as one of the top five convention and visitor bureaus in the United States, The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, the Faubourg Marigny and Garden District - are thriving. In 2008 New Orleans welcomed 7.6 million visitors, an increase over 2007 visitor levels of 7.1 million people. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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