I'm going to New Orleans for a "girl's getaway" weekend with my girlfriend. We are staying in the French Quarter; any recommendations for restaurants/bakeries/coffee shops that are local favorites. Neither of us want to do the tourist things! Any help is appreciated!
Michelle

Within the Quarter, it is largely impossible not to "do the tourist things" as the Quarter exists for tourism. That is not to say that there are not different levels of "tourist things". Good retaurants within the Quarter that will not feel as touristy as others are Nola, Bayona and the Napolean House (the first 2 are nice dinner spots - you'll want to have reservations - while the third is a very casual old-N.O. type spot) while the most touristy will be Pat O'Brian's and any place on Bourbon Street. (But just because they're touristy does not mean that they can't be fun.)
To really get away from the touristy side of N.O., you'll need to venture into the Garden District. Perhaps another poster can recommend some "local" hangouts there.

There are actually quite a few non-touristy places to visit in the Quarter, but even locals hit a few tourist destinations now and again (e.g. Napoleon House, the Acme, and Galatoire's to name a few). However, if you want a true local experience sans a crowd of tourists, try the folowing (which are for the most part toward the back of the Quarter away from the tourist traffic). Bakeries: Croissant D'Oro on Ursiline and La Marquise on Chartres (the latter is frequented almost exclusively by Quarter residents and other locals). Restaurants: G&E Courtyard ($$$), Irene's Cuisine ($$$), Mona Lisa ($), Bayona ($$$), Peristyle ($$$), and the Clover Grill ($). For coffee houses, try Caldi's on Decatur. I don't know if the patrons are locals or tourists, but it usually attracts a pretty strange group in a interesting setting (not bad coffee either).

Sorry. One correction. Croissant D'Or is the backery with mostly locals. La Marquise is closer to Jackson Sq and therefore gets more tourists. Have a great time!

I recommend Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets (French doughnuts). I also really enjoyed Red Fish Grille (on Bourbon street and owned by one member of the famous Brennan family).