Just returned from New Orleans and reporting back on the quiet, romantic restaurants we enjoyed. And they are

Restaurant Stella http://restaurantstella.com/
August http://www.restaurantaugust.com/
Bayona http://www.bayona.com/
R’Evolution http://www.revolutionnola.com/

Marty, you ate well!

We did indeed.

I would recommend Bayona, as well. We ate there on our honeymoon and it was quite romantic.

In December of 2011 we ate at The Bombay Club and had an intimate table for 2 in a nook. We were seated side-by-side on a loveseat at the table and there were curtains framing the nook. We could see out (curtains were parted and held to the side) but nobody really paid any attention to us (patrons, that is...the service was attentive, but not intrusive). VERY ROMANTIC and intimate; excellent food & service.
http://www.thebombayclub.com/

Just back from NOLA and went to Bayona for the fifth time. I would recommend it for its elegance and great food. I also enjoyed Domenica, Rio Mar, Stanley's and Napoleon House. There is a great variety of food in New Orleans and of course the coffee at Cafe du Monde and the Morning Call (new branch in City Park).

Atchafalaya in Uptown. great decor. Intimate, GREAT food !! Ate there twice in a NOLA trip in early December. Highly recommend.

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mclaurie - I was going to suggest Brigstens because it was always one of our favs, but it's been years since I've been.

Bayona is very good, but they can be slow at times. Emeril's is a gamble in my experience.

August ALLWAYS off the charts.

We come here often and know the restaurants well. Best time to go to Commanders is lunch to experience the 25 cent martinis or
Sunday Brunch. Brennan's I've never found enjoyable, more of a tourist trap....and I didn't even think they were open any more!

Paul Prudhomme's is allways good too.....and I completely second our favorite hotel...the Windsor Court.

I often use this website www.lizreyes.com she has a lot of videos of local restaurants, that way you can see in advance what you will experience.

Check out the video for an often passed over restaurant for Southern Soul food Dookie Chase which is also amazing but hours are variable.

have a great time.

Bookmark

Starrs, would you mind giving me a little bit more information about your experience at the Dauphine Orleans? My husband and I are going to be in New Orleans for the first time in June to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We're almost decided on the Hermann House at the Dauphine, but we've been wavering between the suites and the premium king room. When you say "the rooms on the other side of wall", which are you referring to? I'm so glad that you said they're romantic, because that's exactly what I'm looking for!!!

We're also looking for great (and romantic) restaurants for dinner for our 10th and so I'm going to be bookmarking this entire post - thanks to all!

Jenn

We spent our honeymoon in New Orleans 30 years ago (gasp)and we usually go back every 5 years for at least a long weekend.

We were last there early in December this year and stayed at the Windsor Court.

For quiet conversation and wonderful food I would recommend...
August - beautiful, expensive, unbelievable food!!! we have eaten here a couple of times - love it. Across the street from Windsor Court

Bayona - I love this restaurant! It meats all of you wants.

R'Evolution - Our first time here and I thought the food was really really great. We had lunch, sat at a tall table in the bar area (which we love to do)

Herb Saint - food was really great but I do not like to sit at a long bench/chair against the wall. Really not a good way to set a couple. One person is looking at a wall with tables on either side.

Brigsten's - in a small house in River Bend area. Great to good food and one of our favorites but it would depend on who else is in your "room" for quiet conversation. When we were there last we shared a room with a group of 5 couples. The time before we were in a room by ourselves.

Acme Oyster Bar - this does not fit your request but the Chargrilled Oysters are just the best. Stop for lunch of an early appitezer.

Have a great trip.
loveyblue

Oh, my...that should be "meets all of your requirements"
loveyblue

alwaysafrica, I just saw this. Sorry for the delay.

Let's see...the Dauphine Orleans is a nice hotel in a good location. I've been staying there since the mid-80s and I really like it. I recommended it to my mom and she went with friends on "girls trips" there and she liked it too. An easy walk to the restaurants and shops of the French Quarter but not in the craziness of Bourbon Street. That's the main part of the hotel.

If you cross the (not busy) street, the restaurant Bayona is across the street a little to the left. Straight ahead are the Hermann House rooms, not that you'd notice them from the street. There's a gate to the courtyard that you must have a key to. So you enter the private courtyard and you are in another world. The building is L-shaped and two stories with a fountain in the middle and a hot tub tucked in a corner. The trees are lovely and there are stairs to the upper level. I like those rooms because the ceilings are vaulted with exposed brick walls. All the rooms are king rooms. It's just a little oasis in NOLA. The wall I mentioned was the wall separating the HH courtyard from Bayona. Bayona is on the other side of the wall, not the rest of the Dauphine Orleans. Check google maps to try and see it. I'll see if I can post a picture too.

Starrs, Dauphine Orleans has been on my radar for quite a while. I was hoping we could stay there this time, but I just can't justify over $1000 for three nights there. Is it really THAT great? Reviews especially of some rooms seem pretty mixed. Currently we're booked (next weekend) for the totally redone Hyatt French Quarter --not much 'local atmosphere', but pretty highly rated and a whole lot less money.

Is it worth $1000? Probably not.

I had to check the location. If it were one of the convention hotels I was going to post on that. It's not. The Hyatt is .2 miles and a 5 minute walk (according to Google maps) from the Dauphine. That's not far at all.

Here's what I don't like about the location of the Hyatt - the cross streets are Canal and Bourbon. That combo is awfully busy. I know you and I both like the WorldWide Plaza location in Times Square in NYC. The Hyatt is not going to be TS, but it's in a busy location.

What I like best about the Hermann House rooms at the Dauphine is that you feel like you are in your own private getaway. Use the key to open the gate, enter the courtyard and the only sound you hear is water flowing in the fountain. It's a few blocks away and light years away in ambiance. It that difference worth $1000? I'd probably not pay it.

Re difference in reviews - the Dauphine has regular hotel rooms, special rooms on the hotel side of the street and then the Hermann House rooms around the courtyard on the other side of the street. That location is an "ahhhh!" kind of location. I love the rooms in the old building, the exposed brick wall, king beds, nice bathroom, etc. Are they worth $1000 in difference? Probably not.

I've been lucky to snag good rates at the HH rooms. Would I pay an additional $1000 for 3 nights. Probably not.
Okay....not.

Starrs, the Hyatt French Quarter is NOT on Canal at all. It's on Iberville, at the corner of Bourbon. Near Felix and Acme Oyster Houses. I have no problem with the location at all.

But thanks for the rest of the information. Actually "half" of us actually appreciate upscale Hyatt type hotels compared to local color places. I think you know which "half of us" that would be.

We walked back and forth to Canal from the DO and the pace picked up as we neared Canal. We were happier in the quieter area, if only a few blocks away...but not $1000 happier.

Consider taking the walking and tasting tour of NOLA. We loved it. I'd been in many of the "name" restaurants over the years, entertaining customers and hosting special events - always with the local NOLA rep. The tour condensed many of those experiences in a short period of time with good food. The Hermes bar at Antoine's, Arnaud's shrimp from Remoulade, a roux lesson at the Cajun Cooking school, etc. A very nice experience.

Took a cooking class with my son at the NO School of Cooking and it was a lot of fun! They had all you could drink draft Abita Beer.

Hey JoJo, good to see you posting tonight

A wonderful place to stop and smell the roses (little play on words for anybody that's been to the Quarter!) is Muriel's. They have wonderful food, and a fantastic balcony to sit out on, have a drink and watch the antics of Jackson Square.
http://www.muriels.com/

I would also suggest Red Gravy for breakfast/lunch. Food to write home about!
http://www.redgravycafe.com/

I envy you your upcoming trip - we still have about 7 more weeks and they're dragging.......