Hi Jeff, Well, since others are suggesting some places to eat, I might as well mention my really up-to-date information on New Orleans' spots, fresh from the 1960's... hoping that some of these places I can remember right now still exist. Perhaps the most important restaurant memory is one I can't recall a name for. But it had a proprietary name, something like "Chez E___" I think. Maybe. It's on St. Charles, on the right as you head away from Canal Street, same side of St. Charles as Tulane, but a good many blocks farther out, in a section of older but well kept up homes. At that time many of those older homes had been converted to businesses. It's very hard to see the discrete brass plate name on this restaurant but as you drive out from the French Quarter, it was the very next structure after a bridal shop that might have been named the "Brides' Aisle" or something like that. I'd guess that it's probably a mile and a half past Tulane. Reservations were very much needed; they did a booming business all week long. If you can afford only one expensive French meal, this would be an excellent choice. The food was wonderful and the service was excellent. Attire is dress-up, with a butler to meet you and escort you to a plush anteroom for ordering/cocktails. Lovely everything inside this old house, lovely antiques, lovely china, silver, crystal on the table with more than a token of beautiful fresh flowers. The best breakfast I've ever had was at Brennan's. I usually steer clear from poached eggs because those are so tricky to get right... but they knew how to do them there, and to keep them perfectly warm too. I never would have thought to combine a poached egg with a slice of pink grapefruit on an English muffin, but my goodness, what a pleasant surprise that one was. Brennan's would be a good place for any meal any time of the day, assuming you're not looking for all your meals there to be reasonably economical. I kind of think I recall that Antoinine's closed, but if it's still open, you can get an excellent French meal there if you don't mind a bit of slow service. Pete Fountain has a place in the French quarter with a brick leafy courtyard that is oh, so pleasant to relax within to while away a bit of time while you rest up from all the walking. Felix's Oyster Bar is famous for oysters and they were wonderful too (and inexpensive). For really inexpensive but good food within walking distance of everything else: the Cajun restaurant, The Bon Ton Cafe. Things like gumbo and jambalaya are featured, as well as the whiskey pudding for dessert (tastes better than it sounds). A big open air market-like place that is near the center of things is the place to get your cafe au lait. If you like looking at scenery, then try the paddle-wheel steamboat ride up/down the Mississippi River. I wish I'd had a camera with me when we did that! And on the horse & buggy ride too. My very favorite place in New Orleans was Faneuil Hall. I wish we'd made a music tour, as I think there are many more good places to hear top musicians of every stripe there, but we never did that. I hope you have a wonderful time! Best wishes, Mary

I remember a book from a few years back - called I think (but not 100% sure) called "The New Orleans Courtyard Garden" - LOTS of inspiration there! I remember one photo showing huge terra cotta pots, and a common Cherry Laurel trimmed up to two stories high, a nice use of this tree. (HA - and the little babies don't come up on the hard brick!)

There is a range of resturant selections in the French Quarter, on Burbon St, and just off Burbon St. Be sure to take walk or drive on residential streets in the French Quarter to see antebellum houses. Most are 2 and 3 story houses on smallish lots. The architecture is beautiful. Strike up conversations with the locals. Maybe they will tell you about local customs, for example, 1) a Civil War statute of a Confederate hero mounted on a horse - the horse's rear end point north; and 2) burial practices. There is big bruial problem in New Orleans becasue of the high water table. And oh, the Battle of New Orleans lead by Andrew Jackson was totally unnecessary. That battle was fought after the war had been declared over and the treaty signed. Trouble was, slow communications. The treaty was negotiated in Europe and it took some time (by sailing ship) for the word to reach the front. And while you are there, find out exactly was is "Mock Turtle Soup", that is, find out the meat ingredient of true mock turtle soup. It is a dish that was concocted by the chefs while New Orleans was under seige and food supplies were short. Watch out for the coffee. Many business establishments have 2 coffee pots: One is regular coffee and the other one contains chicory, a bitter brew.

I love New Orleans, we have been there several times. It's an absolute cliché but I grew up reading and loving Anne Rice, and waiting to visit NOLA. I find if you avoid Bourbon Street (especially after dark) you can stay away from the worst of the worst. Not my scene at all. I much prefer Cafe Beignet over Cafe du Monde for beignets, but we always visit CduM too, to people watch & enjoy the atmosphere, and probably because it's in such a convenient location. If you have time the D-Day Museum is so worth visiting. We easily spent an entire afternoon there. We've also done a few walking tours in NOLA, something I don't normally do. There is so much history all around, things I would have missed if I hadn't had a guide. A tour that combines a cemetery and the French Quarter might be worthwhile. We've also rented a car and driven to some of the plantations outside the city - Oak Alley, Laura Plantation, Evergreen, etc. We really enjoyed that. I can't help much with restaurants because I love all the cajun and creole food.... shellfish and spicy andouille sausage included. There is a great pizza place at the very edge of the FQ near Frenchmen Street - called Louisiana Pizza Kitchen. Probably my favorite restaurant is The Original Pierre Maspero's on Chartres Street, mostly because of how it feels for me - somehow it embodies exactly what I always thought New Orleans would be like in my imagination, and the building has an incredible history dating back to 1788 (I'm absolutely a history buff). I had their chicken & waffles for brunch once and it was really good - - that might be something you could try. Plus they make a GREAT spicy Bloody Mary.