Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Video of Tru Orleans Grand Opening

Did you miss the opening of Tru Orleans and wonder what it looked like? Check out these videos (the first one is just a shorter version).



15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to trying this place, and I'm glad I know where to come for news about it. FrozenTruOrleans.blogspot.com! Do you post about anything else these days?

Anonymous said...

I think this is the first time one of these places being advertised here has turned me off to a place. Did the videos make anyone else feel like it is a "be seen" type place? Maybe it was specific to the grand opening. Also, my sound does not work so I could be missing a major part.

inked said...

4:04,
considering that this is only one of seven posts today, I'd have to say that yes, I do. There's often a lot of talk about a new place. When there's lots of online chatter about a place (e.g. Khan's, Toki Underground, Queen Vic, Smith Commons) that's going to be reflected here.

4:37,
try it with sound (maybe you have some headphones?). I'm not advertising the place. I just thought the video might be interesting to those who haven't been yet (like me).

Squishy said...

Inked--Anon 4:04 has a point. FT is inexplicably in the tank for TruOrleans. Anything morsel of transparently manufactured PR their owners send your way to spin their clusterf*&k in a positive light, you post promptly and earnestly. It's silly. The writing was on the wall when that menu was released. And its been downhill from then. But yeah, let's continue to reserve judgement after their soft opening and hey even after 6 months or a year, right? Just so long as we don't form any judgements about anything ever.

inked said...

Squishy,
I can assure I've never received anything from their pr people. Sorry you smell conspiracy, but there isn't one. Just Google search results and RSS feeds. Aside from stuff I see first hand, learn of via conversations/email, or read on Twitter, that's where most postings originate. Form all the opinions you like. I like give a place time to find its footings.

Easy said...

No need to defend yourself here Inked. These people are just blowing hot air.Thanks for all the continuous info and work you put into this blog.

Anonymous said...

I feel better with INKs assurances. Why not allow the blog to be a market focus group rather than a front for PR manipulation in the guise of posters with a handle?

Anonymous said...

4:37 here

I did not mean "advertising" in a bad way, or as a dig. More so, just that it is a place I've read about on FT. I am indifferent to any bias or perceived bias.

I was able to eventually get the sound. I still think the video makes it seem like a "be seen" place, rather than a neighborhood place like most H St spots. I do not know if that is intentional or not. Maybe that is what they want. It is merely my own perception.

The video is interesting to me because, good or bad, it helped me form an expectation. If other commenters tell me I'm off base, I may try it, but for now, I'll pass.

Annoyingmous said...

In the time since TruOrleans opened, there've been more posts here about Toki Underground -- which has already been around for a while -- than about TruOrleans. But hey, don't let that get in the way of your sense of entitlement as you bitch about the content of someone's personal blog.

Gonzo said...

I appreciate any and all information on my neighborhood and appreciate this blog for its service to the community. There is no other better resource for information on the goings around H Street. Yes, I'm sure it's a rather superficial PR stunt by Tru Orleans, but they have every right to put it out and I'm glad it's up on FrozenTropics so that we can praise/bash it at will. That's what we do here. Places like TruOrleans and Toki Underground, which do their best to draw customers from accross DMV by communicating loudly, are going to draw interest and attention. Kudos to them for that. As for their menu and the quality of their work, we can decide for ourselves. But chillax folks, this is a community blog and always has been.

ro said...

What's wrong with a place to be seen? Some people like that. Not everything on H has to be cater to exactly the same clientele as every other place. You've got a commercial corridor about 12 blocks long, there's plenty of room for everybody. Diversity in businesses is a good thing. TruOrleans is a great addition, much better than the run-down go-go/hip hop club that used to operate there. Besides there are already plenty of places to grab a PBR or Schlitz and pretend that you're retro, some of us want places with a slightly different atmosphere.

inked said...

4:37,
I didn't really think you intended the advertising comment that way, I just wanted to be very clear. I actually watched the video again with a friend last night (I asked him what he thought of your perception first), and he felt (close to what I feel) that it was more about it being a promo video that was shot during the grand opening. Grand openings often have a different vibe than a place might normally carry off. Videos like this are about getting shots of all sorts of happy people, and trying to make wherever they are look like the place to be. Cinema verite they are not.

Dave B said...

Even if inked was shilling for TO, the comments section here keeps it fair and balanced. I also think Inked generally posts positive stuff (and news of shootings), but most if not all of the content out there is positive. If somebody found video of the kitchen cooking rat and put it on the internet, inked would probably post it. Further, I also think inked usually posts stuff without comment and lets us intepret the link for ourselves. For instance:
http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrillist-tru-orleans-menu.html
Then we all bitched about the prices

Anonymous said...

"What's wrong with a place to be seen? Some people like that."

Hi Ro - you're absolutely right, there is nothing wrong with it and I only ask for my own benefit/taste. I don't think I advocated other folks staying away.

I'm stating my perception and asking if others agree/if I'm off base. I feel like that is a good use of the comments section.

And thanks Inked. I suspected the GO may have played a part in creating that perception.

Anonymous said...

As someone from NOLA but hasn't been yet I am not going to comment on the food.

My beef is the freaking name. Ugh.

And I hope to God those Mardi Gras beads were only for the opening, because Jebus, that is so, so wrong.