I have made reservations at 4 top restaurants but need help narrowing down to only 2 because I don't think I have the time nor the $ to eat at all four:

Mr. B's Bistro
Arnaud's
Galatoire's
Commander's Palace (Brunch)

I am also interested in these restaurants. Which do you recommend? I welcome any suggestions. Besides the fancy restaurants I mentioned above, I am looking for authentic down-home cookin' that I can't find in the tri-state area. I need to narrow down because I only have 4 days in the Big Easy!

Mulate's
Uglesich's
ACME Oyster Bar
Dooky Chase
Praline Connection

Also, do I need a tour for the Garden District or is that area better for strolling on my own?

I go to new orleans often. Galatoire's is one of my favorites. Mr. B's would be at bottom of my list. Uglesich's is great lunch place=not open at night. You can ride street car through garden district, get off and stroll, then get back on. Too big an area to walk all over.

I want to second "Nola" as a place with a great food and things you won't get anywhere else. I had avoided it as Emeril's places weren't really anything that special but his newest has wonderful dishes. We cancelled reservations the last night we were in town to revisit it. I enjoyed the Pelican Club as well. Galatoire's is great...Mr. B's has gone down in my opinion but maybe it was just that night.

Definitely skip Mulate's and Praline Connection. Mr. B's is great and Galatoire's superb. Commander's has fallen lately and been getting bad press --the family is not giving it the attention Miz Ella did. Avoid Mother's--very expensive tourist trap. I know, I know--the food is great, but you can get the same quality for less than half the price many places in town. As a local, I say take a cab to Uglesich's, DO NOT WALK!!!

I'm from the tri-state area and consider myself to be a "foodie"... one of the best meals i've ever eaten was at Irene's. It's a nice restaurant, but considered a "locals" place, and they don't take reservations. Dinner for 2 cost ~$85 including tip.

Lucretia,
I second the Irene's nomination and ,if you've never been there, would also include the rolley ride to and jazz bunch at Commander's Palace. The Bloody Mary's, and the jazz trio alone are enough to make my day.
As mentioned Irene's doesn't take reservations so it may be wise to get there at the 5:30 opening.

WHAT HAVE U HEARD OR THOUGHT ABOUT JACQUE-IMO'S FOR CHEAP COMFORT FOOD? OR IS IRENE'S STILL BETTER? WHY DO U THINK I SHOULD SKIP MULATE'S OR PRALINE CONNECTION? THANKS.

Irene's is great and Jacques-Imo's is also great. Further away from the Quarter than Irene's if that is a consideration. Mulate's food is not special and is more Cajun themed--not typical N.O. at all. Praline Connection is just a tourist trap--you can do better. Some local favorites are Liuza's by the track, Domilese's(Irish Channel poboy place),Mandina's,
R&O or Deanie's in Bucktown(out by the lake)for great seafood. Pascal Manale's for the oyster bar ONLY--do not venture into the dining room!!! Have a great time.

I would also recomend Nola's. It was the best meal we had on NO's. ACME had the best freshest oysters arround, so if your in the mood, go there $8.95/dz. I would skip Arnaud's. The food was just ok and the servise was lousy.

NOLA, like all Emeril restaurants, is overpriced and overhyped. Mr B's and Galatoire's are much better and provide better value even if neither is inexpensive.

I think Dooky Chase has the best fried chicken in town.

ACME is alot of fun, and the food is great. Just throw your crawfish tails on the floor -- noone will notice. Dress casual so you don't get beat up!

Galatoires !!!