Going to New Orleans next week. I am not fond of gumbo, jampalaya ... etc... would like a restaurant where I can sample NO's finest in beef, veal, pasta, italian, french, and.... I know most of you will say I'm missing out by not trying what NO is famous for, but... hey.. that's why they make Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream.

Bayona. Try to make reservations today.

Contrary to popular belief, most restaurants in New Orleans do NOT offer creole and cajun fare. You'll have no trouble finding "regular" food. Steak: Dickie Brennan's / Eclectic: Bayona, Pelican Club, Marisol / Fish: Redfish Grill. Just a few of my faves!

Only because I couldn't help myself....Try a Lucky Dog.
(Actually, they can kinda grow on you. And the rest of you out there with the remarks I KNOW you want to make, leave it alone!!)

I second the Lucky Dog recommendation! I also recommend Port of Call at Esplanade and Dauphine for the best burgers in the city. Mona Lisa in the 1200 block of Royal for Italian/pizza - or the Italian Pie on S. Rampart for pizza. Dickie Brennan's on Iberville or Ruth's on Broad (if you have a car) for steak. Bacco may interest you - 400 block of Chartres or Bella Luna on the river at Dumaine. If you want a po-boy, head to Mother's on Poydras at Tchoupitoulas in the CBD - long lines form, so go for a late breakfast or early lunch. Carmelo on Decatur serves good Italian. Happy eating!

I agree that Bacco is great contemporary Italian right in the Quarter. Palace Cafe on Canal also offers a nice varied menu and reliable quality. Mike's on the Avenue (St. Charles) is also a great spot. Then of course, if they have not been spoiled by the recent national notoriety of their namesake, Emil's and NOLA are also good choice for nouvelle-N'awlins cuisine. Skip the original Brennan's altogether. It's an overpriced tourist trap with food and service of questionable quality.

Daniel, unfortunately Mike's on the Avenue has been replaced by Mike Dikta's!

MIKE DITKA'S??? A travesty! I had a bad meal at the original in Chicago that replaced ANOTHER decent spot. What is this? Invasion of the chain-restaurant body snatchers???

Oh, well. My other recommendations still stand. I also like the jazz brunch at Commander's Palace, and my meals there have been consistent, but on my last visit, I was put off by their request for a coat and tie on a Saturday.

P.S. I have searched for YEARS for a storefront-type restaurant where I dined with friends on one of my first trips to N.O. I couldn't begin to tell you where it was, only to say that it was in a close-in residential neighborhood away from the tourist areas. It had some of the best mix of Italian, Creole, Cajun I have ever had. Anyone with any ideas what it might have been? I only recall that the owner suggested we wait inside for our cab back to the Hilton because he said that there were some unsavory types in the area.

Daniel, I haven't a clue where the place may be - it could be anywhere! Restaurants come and go here, but the good ones can last forever.

We were all dismayed about Mike's. Yesterday, I was craving the flash-fried oyster burrito that they had on the menu last spring. I have not been to Dikta's and do not plan to go. My husband tried it right after they opened and was not impressed. It opened at about the same time the Saints fired him, so it was (oh ma gosh!) a "scandal" almost that it opened on the heels of the turnover.

Go to Irene's. It is the best Italian restaurant in the French Quarter. All the locals love it and you will see why. They offer the usual American fare as well.

Do Irenes!!! It is not overpriced. Stay away from the Emeril restaurants - nothing but overpriced garbage anymore.

Mother's was terrible: an eternal line with mediocre food waiting at the end. I tried Uglesich's (sp?) the next day and loved it.

Bernie: This is a fabulous question, one I was going to post myself for our trip in November.