NOLA’s Central Business District gains show-stopping cocktail lounge and stylish corner café 


 NEW ORLEANS, LA (February 19, 2020)​ -- Led by Executive Chef Chris Lusk and Bar Director Steve Yamada, ​Peacock Room​ and​ ​Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats​ will open on March 16, 2020, in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District (CBD). Peacock Room opens as an elevated, energetic hotspot where cocktails are sipped and bites are shared while Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats, a lively corner café will offer twists on traditional coffee shop favorites as well as a variety of creative frozen beverages for adults. 
 
“New Orleans is known for its rich, cultural dining scene and dynamic cocktail offerings, and we’re excited to debut two truly outstanding concepts that honor the city’s past while celebrating its modern creative class,” said Chris Lusk, executive chef for Peacock Room and Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats. “We look forward to inviting guests to revel in the electric energy of each space. Whether it’s a late-night craft cocktail at the Peacock Room or a mid-day boozy milkshake at Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats, guests can experience twists on classic New Orleans flavors and unparalleled Southern hospitality in the heart of downtown.”  
 
Effortlessly blending the eccentric personality of New Orleans’ bar culture with the old world charm and sophistication of a classic social club, Peacock Room delivers a bright and vibrant feel during the day and a sexy, moody atmosphere come sundown, perfect for an afternoon aperitif, dinner, or end-of-evening nightcap. The interior of the Peacock Room features a bohemian mix of art on the walls, vintage carpets, brass hardware, crystal fixtures, and velvet upholstery. New Orleans’ cocktail guru Steve Yamada lends his talents to the cocktail lounge, where he serves a contemporary selection of exceptional, hard-to-come-by spirits and evocative craft cocktails, such as the bright yet smoky Primp and Preen, made with mezcal, white rum, orgeat, fresh citrus, and a touch of blue curaçao, and the sweet and creamy Right Place/Wrong Time, made with butter-infused vodka, coconut milk, and espresso syrup. For the food-focused, Chef Chris Lusk’s menu features refined shareable interpretations of regional classics, including items like Crawtator Crusted Oysters with jalapeno sriracha, mirliton, and bacon lardon; Blue Crab Pimento Cheese with port salut, Calabrian chiles, and toasted brioche; and Fruits de Mer Pho, made with cashew hoisin, grouper, shrimp ramen, and crab boulettes. First Friday High Tea Service featuring whiskey and rum-based tea cocktails and a variety of finger sandwiches with local flare, launches this spring, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the guest experience.  
 
Just a few steps away from Peacock Room, in a minimalist-designed space flooded with natural light and energized with upbeat music, is Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats. The café features banquette seating along Tchoupitoulas Street and a laptop-friendly central communal table equipped with functional power. The café’s expertly crafted espresso drinks, drip coffee, and rotating pour-over selections are offered 
alongside a selection of coffee-infused cocktails and alcohol-infused shakes, like the ​Holy Atolé, a twist on Mexican hot chocolate with mezcal, and the Red Velvet Cupcake made with bourbon creole cream cheese. The food program at Gospel is formatted for light ​eating-on-the-go, with items like NOLA-inspired breakfast tacos made with crab-boiled potato, andouille sausage, cotija cheese, and jalapeno sriracha; house-made pastries; bagels with green tomato cream cheese, boiled shrimp, sweet onion, and Calabrian chiles; and bananas foster parfaits. ​Guests can also enjoy ​house-made frozen custards, including monthly seasonal flavors off the café’s Custard Calendar, like Strawberry Shortcake made with vanilla custard, white chocolate, fresh strawberries, and a sweet biscuit.  
 
With more than a decade of experience working in top kitchens around the United States, Lusk is highly skilled in several culinary disciplines, including a focus on Southern cooking techniques. Most recently, Lusk joined the Besh Restaurant Group and One House Hospitality, serving as executive chef of The Pontchartrain Hotel and The Caribbean Room. Lusk has earned critical acclaim and accolades throughout his culinary career, including being honored as one of ​Esquire’ ​ s “Four Breakout Chefs to Watch” and “Chef to Watch” by ​Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine ​ in 2009. Additionally, he was selected as a winner of the highly competitive Louisiana Seafood Cook-off in 2010 and was invited to cook at the esteemed James Beard House in 2011. 
 
Best known for establishments like Victory, 12 Mile Limit, and Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, Yamada brings almost two decades of industry experience to his new role as bar director. Adding even more credibility to his craft, Yamada won a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Award in Spirits Level 2 and 3 and qualified as a WSET Instructor in Spirits Education. Having worked in New Orleans for the entirety of his career, Yamada has been at the forefront of the city’s trendsetting cocktail scene.  
 
Peacock Room is open Sunday through Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats opens daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10p.m. Both concepts are located within the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, a 202-room MARKZEFF-designed property, at 501 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. For more information on​ Kimpton Hotel Fontenot​,​ ​Peacock Room​, and​ ​Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats​, visit​ ​www.hotelfontenot.com​. You can also follow the Peacock Room on​ ​Instagram​ and​ ​Facebook​ @peacockroomnola and follow Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats on ​Instagram​ @gospelcoffeenola.   High-Res Renderings: ​HERE   ### ABOUT KIMPTON RESTAURANTS Kimpton manages over 80 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges across major metropolitan cities, resort destinations, and up-and-coming markets in the United States, Caribbean, and Europe. Helmed by renowned chefs and skilled bartenders, each Kimpton restaurant and bar is an original, from the cuisine to the craft cocktails, to the décor and ambiance, creating a truly immersive experience for guests. Set in warm and welcoming spaces, Kimpton’s restaurants and bars are a gathering place in the communities and reflect the local flavors of each location. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com/dine.