The Warbler is a swank new hotel that opened October 15 in the Garden District of New Orleans at 1923 St. Charles Avenue. Locally owned, this six-story, 58-room hotel is a streetcar stop from many New Orleans sites. A Warbler is small songbird with bright green and yellow plumage. The name “warbler” also symbolizes self-expression, hope and renewal. Indeed, The Warbler Hotel represents a renaissance for this strip of St. Charles Avenue, with a statement-making design interpretation of 1920S and 1930s modernism.
The bar at Mildred’s
Mildred’s is the European-inspired martini bar and restaurant located on the ground floor just off the hotel lobby. It is a collaboration between Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal, the team behind James Beard and North America’s 50 Best Award-winning Cure Nola, and Chicago Chef Andrew Zimmerman, whose past projects have included Chicago’s Michelin-starred Sepia.
Tapas at Mildred’s: Boquerones with anchovy & avocado, clam toast, patatas bravas, tortilla Espanola. Photos #1, 3 and 4 taken by Cory Fontenot
The Iberian-inspired menu has classic tapas including anchovy and avocado boquerones, clam toast, tortilla Española with trout roe, and patatas bravas to enjoy with a martini or a glass of Sherry or Txakoli wine. Main courses include seafood dishes like cataplana (an Iberian seafood stew), redfish á la plancha and pulpo á la plancha. Meat dishes include Spanish pork with smoky Beech mushroom escabeche and Wagyu beef cheeks with potato purée. There is one vegetarian (ish) dish for the main courses: Canelons de Bolets is baked fresh pasta stuffed with mushrooms, Swiss chard and Idziábel fondue.
Cataplana is an Iberian seafood stew. It is also the name of the vessel the dish is cooked in. Photo: Melanie Young
The Connected Table’s David Ransom curated an impressive wine list featuring independent, family-owned producers. Many of these producers David and I have personally met through our travels in Italy, France and Spain and reporting on wine. In addition to Spain, Italy and France, you will also see selections from Austria, Lebanon, Willamette Valley “because they are delicious” (that is actually a section on this list). The Sicilian wine list alone makes me salivate featuring producers Ariana Occhipinti, Planeta, Graci, Fina.
The Warbler introductory wine list (Melanie’s photos)
Of course, being an Iberian menu, Spain is well represented with wines from Rioja, Montsant, Priorat, Penedès, Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra, Navarra, Bierzo and the Basque region. Francophiles will appreciate the list of wines from Burgundy, Loire Valley and, of course, Champagne. I predict more selections of the precious “B-List” – Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino – as the list evolves.
The Warbler offers different dining options for guests including breakfast daily and dinner nightly. There is a rooftop pool and bar called “Upstairs” with a tapas menu. On the lobby level, Milly’s cafe serves locally roasted Cherry Coffee, Rare Tea Cellar teas and pastries and croissants from Ayu Bakehouse whose main shop is located on Frenchman Street in the Marigny. The hot and cold coffee drink menu is impressive.
Espresso coffee and tonic with a lemon wedge is a refreshing pick-up!
The Warbler should be a stop on anyone’s itinerary when visiting New Orleans and nice option for a Garden District stay. The rooms and suites are spacious and quiet with high ceilings and luxe details. Rates average $500 per night (seasonal) with a 20% Founders discount through December 24, 2026. www.thewarblerhotel.com