A LOCAL’S LOVE LETTER TO SUMMER
To my fellow New Orleanians,
Summer in New Orleans can sometimes be stiflingly hot. As a hospitality entrepreneur, Summer is far and away our slowest season of the year. Despite this, Summer is my favorite time of the year here.
While it does get extremely hot during the day, our tropical clime sees temperatures cool at night such that walking between spots or sitting outside in courtyards once the sun sets is still quite magical. During Summer, I can get a great seat at nearly any restaurant or bar at pretty much anytime I would like, even if I do not have a reservation in advance. Summer is also when much of our local produce and seafood is most readily available, and guests will see that bartenders and Chefs can spend more time creating truly inventive dishes using such fresh ingredients. And while in these restaurants and bars, I get to spend a bit more meaningful time with less hurried servers, bartenders, and Chefs who can more fully share the story of the restaurant or bar and the inspiration for the cocktails and dishes I might enjoy there. In the process of doing so, I get to know these restaurants and bars on a far deeper level and therefore fall further in love with them.
As there are fewer people in town and fewer obligations that require my time, I always find that Summer in New Orleans allows me to spend more meaningful time with the people here that I love, too. During the busy season in New Orleans, I typically catch up with great friends and family in passing on my way to or from my sons’ ball games, recitals, and parent/teacher conferences or while at a crowded fundraisers and concerts. During Summer, I can be more intentional spending time with them, allowing for meandering conversations that further strengthen relationships without being rushed to get to my next commitment or to give the table up because there is another reservation coming at 8:15. I have always held that the magical part of time together with loved ones is always the second half, when all of the pleasantries and small talk are out of the way and we can be truly share open and honestly, we can be truly vulnerable, or we can enjoy fits of laughter that we hope might never end. When we do so, we build stronger relationships while creating memories that might last forever.
In closing, while Summer is slower here in New Orleans, it is also a time when our restaurants and bars are at their very best and offer some of the very best products that South Louisiana has to offer. It is when we can truly spend meaningful time strengthening our relationships with people meaningful to us. I would strongly encourage you to spend some time this summer falling further in love with the people and the places that we hold dear and that make us so very proud to call New Orleans home.
Boat drinks (literally),
Ro
Our Story
LeBLANC+SMITH is a boutique collection of restaurants, bars, and hotels dedicated to redefining 21st-century Southern hospitality. Founded and led by Robert LeBlanc, this New Orleans-based group is committed to creating soulful, welcoming spaces where guests feel a genuine sense of connection and home. Each property – from The Chloe’s relaxed elegance to Sylvain’s rustic charm – embodies LeBlanc’s vision of balanced, community-driven hospitality that embraces joy and authenticity. Under LeBlanc’s leadership, Leblanc + Smith not only curates unforgettable guest experiences but also fosters a unique team culture that values transparency, teamwork, and growth, empowering employees to become future industry leaders.
From Records to Resorts: How Hotelier Robert LeBlanc Got His Start." Hotels Above Par
“LeBlanc + Smith started as a record label, but I worked as a bartender at night to cover my bills while we were getting the label going. I immediately fell in love with being able to connect with guests and foster a sense of community.” Read more
Creating Magic, One Space at a Time: The Heart and Strategy of Robért LeBlanc." Biz New Orleans.
