We will be coming to NOLA next week (july 19-22). Have reservations at Petunias, Bon Ton Cafe and Mr B's bistro. Not sure of the dress code at Mr B's. What is upscale casual in the heat of summer? Something between a Coat & Tie and walking shorts? I heard that if you are not dressed as they would like they seat you in a "no man's lamd" (of course your meal still costs as much as the people allowed to sit in public)
Somebody, please offer suggestions on good casual resturants to eat at in the Quarter.
We would really like to eat outside at a patio or in a courtyard, but don't want bar food, and are willing to accept a lesser quality food experience for the atmosphere-unless someone can explain the proper dress code for Mr B's to us. We have called them three times! We want to be casual enough to go to Bourbon street places and feel comfortable after dinner.

Petunia's was one of my favorite dining experiences in New Orleans. The waiting staff was wonderful to us.

I'd suggest that you report with "New Orleans" or "French Quarter" in your header for better response.

It's HOT! But, if you insist on outside dining....Bayona's and KPaul's both have patio dining in the Quarter. You may want to consider Cafe Degas on Esplanade in Bayou St. John has an airconditioned "patio" and the best vishysoise in town.
Khaki pants and a nice shirt will work for ANY of these restaurants, including Mr. B's.
Rob

Eileen- upscale casual is linen slax and silk shirt for women or nice sun dress and for men,linen or khaki slax and silk shirt or polo--JUST NOT JEANS.
Bayonna's is wonderful-- also try Emeril's even tho you're going to Nola's. Susan SPicer,the chef/owner at Bayonna's was on the food channel last week with some of her recipes---And for casual lunch-make sure you go to FELIX's Oyster Bar in the Quarter-it's an institution!

Eileen: I was in New Orleans the end of May with my husband and had dinner on a Friday night at Mr. B's. I wore a sundress and my husband wore nice slacks with a dressier polo shirt ... that dress appeared fine with what other patrons were wearing and we had a nice table. You are in for a treat eating there ... the food was excellent. I highly recommend their BBQ shrimp (messy to eat, but absolutely delicious), and their gumbo-yaya (scrumptious!).

I would also second the recommendation for Bayona for nice outdoor dining ... call as soon as possible as it can be difficult to get a reservation there. We had a wonderful meal there and their courtyard is very nice. Dress code is upscale casual. We had early evening reservations and dressed a bit more casually because we were going to a concert after dinner. (My husband wore nice walking shorts with a collared shirt and I had on black capri pants). I spoke to persons at the restaurant ahead of time to inquire if this was acceptable and they said it would be OK, especially for outdoor dining. I think that a nice sundress and slacks/collar shirt for men would be OK.

I think the key will be dressing comfortably for July weather in New Orleans (very hot/humid), especially if you are going to eat outdoors. Persons may tend to dress up a bit more for later evening/weekend reservations, or when eating inside (with air conditioning).

You must try the Palace Cafe nest to the Marriott and order the crabmeat cheese cake and turtle soup. Try Acme Oysters for oysters. Gosh I keep thinking of the Palace. You must try it. My wife and I eat there twice(brunch and one dinner) each time we visit for a long weekend.