The Curbed Cup 2014, our second annual award to the New Orleans Neighborhood of the Year, is kicking off with eight 'hoods battling it out for the honor of a prestigious fake trophy and obviously, bragging rights. Voting for each match-up ends 24 hours after it begins. We'll showcase a neighborhood face-off per day through the week with results and the full tourney bracket reviewed on Friday. Let the eliminations begin!
Another day, another chance to vote. Both the Treme and Garden District were close in nominations and in neighborly fervor. Coming in at number four on our bracket is the oldest African American neighborhood in the country. Having celebrated its bicentennial in 2012, a successful namesake TV show (that did, more often than not, film in the neighborhood) and a continued revival on the real estate scene, the Treme is both culturally wealthy and highly community-oriented.
On the Eater side of things, the Treme's got its own gumbo festival — now with vegan and vegetarian options — as well as some of the most iconic soul food restaurants in the city as well as the country. The Sunday tradition of Second Lines snaking their way from the community center behind Armstrong Park out past Claiborne is yet another reason to celebrate the neighborhood.
The Garden District reaps the benefits of festivities as well. As perhaps one of the best neighborhoods to catch a Mardi Gras parade, the area is a fair mix of family parties and feverish singles watching the floats go by from the numerous bars and restaurants along the parade route. The other 355+ days a year, the Garden District is home to numerous historical residences, exceptional restaurants, and is making a name for itself in the microbrew scene as the home of Courtyard Brewing.