Based on this thread alone, we're going to have to allot at least 4 or 5 nights for a trip (we can't eat a nice lunch and a nice dinner the same day).

WOW! Thank you for the amazing suggestions. We are looking forward to trying as many places as possible. Coming from NYC, we can't wait to try the terrific southern cuisine that NO has to offer. We can't wait!

NOLA's is great. I can't remember the dress code for Bayona (if there is one), but that was one my favorite restaurant...the outdoor dining is especially romantic. Emeril's for lunch was great too. Again, it has been a while, so I don't remember dress codes....I think lots of times where dinner may require a jacket, lunch may not. Furthermore, at many of the restaurants you can easily spend over $100 if you're not careful...Easy way around this is to share and/or order multiple appetizers as separate courses and skipping an "Entree". I don't do this always to save money, but just because the food quantities seem to be just right (especially since I don't want to have leftovers and/or waste food). Most of the time you will still get plenty of food (ask what the serving sizes are since they may be tiny or huge). Alcohol has a grand way of fattening your bill. I usually order one glass of wine or champagne and nurse it.

I went to Bayona in July, and my husband wore jeans which was totally fine. It was a very good restaurant, but Stella just blew me away. No one else has mentioned it here, but I hope you haven't crossed it off of your list. It was one of my most memorable meals ever. :)

Definately not August...not only would you feel uncomfortable, I'm sure the other guests would not appreciate it.

As goes for Emeril's...while you might see the odd person casual, overwhelmingly it is upscale.

Your best bet is NOLA for sure...I think one of the finest restaurants in New Orleans, and it is a complete mix of people, from jeans to jackets...you will not only feel comfortable, but I think it is exactly the atmosphere you are looking for...quite upbeat and a great place for people watching...and the food is fantastic.

The other is Cochon, but you better love pork because that is what it is all about, and it is amazing what that chef can do with pork!! You might want to add that to your lunch agenda.

Moulates....ok...but I dont think it is anything special...very tourist oriented.

ACME is another great very casual lunch or dinner place...has a little of everything and is inexpensive.

Stella...NO WAY....I dont know what the other poster was talking about someone wearing shorts...wow...the owner must have had to bite his tongue.

As for Commanders, absolutely NO SHORTS and it is quite dressy....a great place to go though.

The food is fantastic, but if you showed up next to my table, I would not be very happy. It is a dressy place...for goodness sakes, the waiter serves you with WHITE GLOVES!

Mark, I am the other poster that mentioned Stella, and I'm just telling it like I saw it. I personally wore a nice dress, but the majority of tourists we saw in NO were not dressed up at all.

Ohh I believe you...I'm just saying that they must be cringing having to allow that. Stella was a very dressy restaurant, but with business in N.O. being so bad these days, I think they would round up hobos if they thought they could pay the bill. But I think you would agree that the atmosphere is not what these folks are looking for.

Scott the owner is a great guy, a perfectionist, and I really admire his work. I just hope that business picks up soon for all the restaurants...they are all still hurting.

That is too bad - hopefully I can come back soon to support the dining scene! Jenna, its easy to get overwhelmed with all of the great choices, but I'm sure you'll dine exceptionally well wherever you choose. :)

As a New York Times food critic once said in his column "even if you are drunk, stumbling along a dark alley in New Orleans, and you fall through an open door in that alley and end up in a restaurant, chances are it will be one of the best meals you have ever had."

People talk about what is open and not...but the truth is that RIGHT NOW, there are MORE (854) restaurants opened in New Orleans then there were BEFORE (805) hurricane Katrina.

You can't eat your clothes. (I prefer NOT to dress up when I'm on vacation, and I don't really care what the other guests think. I always shower first :))

Well I care! when I pay good money to go to a nice restaurant that is supposed to have an upscale atmosphere and you show up next to me, better watch out for my biscuit being tossed over on your head when you're not looking! :>

And...tell me you haven't heard of edible panties!!! ha ha!