If you had just one opportunity for a special experience/ dinner/ in New Orleans, where would you go? We are not looking for the most expensive, but perhaps a striking ambiance or very different type of evening with good food. We do not expect that this will be inexpensive. We appreciate your input!

Suzy

This would be my choice -
http://www.bayona.com/

If you don't have a hotel room yet, the Hermann House rooms around the private courtyard across the street from the Dauphine Orleans would be an excellent choice. The restaurant is literally steps away -
http://www.dauphineorleans.com/accommodations/

Tableau

Tableau is Dickie Brennan's restaurant right at the corner of Jackson Square and Chartes St.

Reserve a table in advance for the balcony on 2 nd floor, overlooking Jackson square.

The food is very very good. The cocktails are exquisite. Service extremely good.

I have been there 3 times in the last yr since it opened. The most recent time was last Friday night.

All three times have been incredibly good. Nothing negative in all 3 visits.

Definitely a high favorite in NOLA a for us.

I have been to Bayona. And many other upscale restaurants in NOLA. Many are very good. I esp. like Cafe Amelie , their courtyard is very nice. But Tableau is special among all of them, In my experience.

Putting Tableau on my saved list!

Another nice thing about Tableau: they serve demiportions of several entrees. At least two of the egg based entrees, a veal entree, couple seafood entrees, pasta entree, etc. So you can have an app, Demi-portion entree, and have room for dessert.

Turtle soup is exquisite there. The bread they serve is crusty but not too crusty, warm and divine. Everything I have had has been noteworthy, perfectly seasoned, not overdone in any way, and leaves us yum yumming over the memory of the dishes for days. And very good wine list with many reasonable choices.

We haven't gone to Tableau as last time in NOLA had kids in tow but will try it next time we are in the area. Last meal we had out without adults was at August, highly recommend

Commanders Palace

Commander's Palace or Galatoires's. If you are in the French Quarter, Galatoires will provide you with the quintessential New Orleans experience. The food is delicious and it is always a party. Don't call for reservations or they will seat you upstairs. Sit downstairs in the main dining room and trust the waiter's recommendations. Commander's Palace in the Garden District is another one of our favorites. If you are looking for elegant ambiance, this is the place. Weekend jazz brunch is fun and weekday lunch is the best bargain in town, but they serve the real food at night. Commander's for more adventurous food, Galatoire's for the old Creole classics.

We are in NOLA now. Had a wonderful meal at Mr. B,'s bistro