Hubby and I are in our late 20's and will be in NO for 3 nights in Septmeber and this is our first trip. We are looking for recommendations for terrific restaurants that are not super stuffy (NO JACKETS). Atmosphere is very important to our dining experience, we enjoy a lively crowd that is not quiet! Would like to spend under $100 per person for dinner. Please suggest dinner and lunch spots! Thanks!
Some suggestions we have gotten thus far are...
Brigstens
August
Stella
Clancy's
Cochon
Emeril's

we had a wonderful meal at "herbsainte", when i was there for work. ;-)

Emeril's would be fun. August is (arguably) the best restaurant in town tastewise, but may be too "stuffy" for you.

K-Pauls is a great experience and they don't require jackets. You could sit outside if the atmosphere inside is too formal for you. The food is out of this world.

Mulates (near the Convention Center) is a very fun place with decent Cajun food, Zydeco, and is very informal. You can even learn the Cajun two-step, waltz, and other activities. It's a lot of fun. It sounds like what you are looking for.

Redfish Grill would fit your requirements. Can a couple eat decently at Emeril's for dinner for under $100?

I just got back from NO. I live about 5 hours away and go several times a year. I would not go to NO without lunch at Galatoire's. I had a fantastic lunch at Brennans recently. My favorites are Emeril's, August, Brigtsen's and Clancy's. Emeril told me once Clancy's was his favorite NO restaurant.

We love Galatoire's, Commander's,Dick and Jenny's and Irene's.

Are all of these restaurants [re-]opened since Katrina? We were supposed to be in New Orleans for an extra-long weekend a few days after Katrina hit. We had reservations at Brigtsen's. I'm just wondering if now is a good time to take that trip.

bookmarking for my trip in January

I second Mulate's.

http://www.mulates.com/locations.htm

It looks like it is open. It was informal, the food was great, the music and dancing were a lot of fun.

I went to Stella for anniversary dinner in July and it was incredible! It was very nice, but not stuffy. My husband wore designer jeans and a nice buttondown, which was nicer than what the other male patrons had on. I think someone even came in wearing shorts. Our bill with 1.5 bottles wine was around $250. We split 3 appetizers and had 2 entrees, so you probably could do it a little cheaper. The food is outstanding though, and I will definitely return here on a future trip.

We walked by August, and I would NOT have been comfortable with my husband wearing jeans there, although we weren't there at night so I'm not sure.

Brightsens is great food - but not a lively place at all. It's all about the food there. As for something in the Fr Qtr, my favorite (actually my favorite restaurant, anywhere) is NOLA. It's Emeril's bistro and it is definitely not stuffy. We always wore jeans and like to sit at the wine bar or food bar. We like to split items and they are totally cool with that. That way we have appetizer, salad, entrees (which are plenty big enough to split), dessert and I usually do either a glass or split bottle of wine. We come out at about $100-$125 for both of us, before tip. Food is fantastic, love the atmoshere and service. We like Remoulade on Bourbon St for casual lunch/dinner-great catfish po/boy, pizza, shrimp remoulade and ice cold Abita Amber beer.

Another vote for Mulate's (exactly how do you pronounce this place anyway. I was told by a streetcar driver that it was pronounced mew-lates. I have also heard muw-lattes. Anybody know for sure?

I have always pronounced it mew-lots as everyone else in south Louisiana I've ever heard say it.

Had brunch at Commander's Palace in the spring and it was lovely. Great service and good food.

I second the recommendation for NOLA. I haven't been there since pre-K days, but I've had a few very memorable meals there. And it's far from stuffy. It's casual and lively.

Deanies Seafood "The Taste of Bucktown"

Pascal's Manale. They invited "Barbeque Shrimp" and it sure ain't shrimp on the barbie. Amazing dish (full of butter). Be sure to sop up the liquid with the bread

A second for Deanies and a vote for Mr. B's Bistro.

I'm also going to second one of our favorites - Pascal's Manale. On Napolean just off St Charles in Uptown area. Vintage NO neighborhood restaurant. Not stuffy and we've been there when it was certainly lively. Agree, that BBQ shrimp can't be beat and their crabmeat remoulade is excellent.

i'm going to third (?) the vote for NOLA- not stuff at all and we had some of the great dishes we've had at other emeril's places