I am planning a trip to New Orleans in August. I have made reservations at 3 restaurants, Delmonico, K-Pauls and Commanders Palace. I like gourmet food, but it seems like the dress code for these places are jackets & ties, etc.. Is there a place with equally good food, but maybe a bit more casual??? help

Check out a place called Bon Ton's...an institution in N.O. It is at 401 Magazine, but only open Mon-Fri. You will absolutely love Commander's Palace. Emeril's is worth a visit, too. Another place is called Pasqual Manales and another is Christian's (but the latter is not very casual.) You can find alot of good, reasonably priced food just walking the streets of the quarter. Have a great time!!

I highly recommend Brennan's for brunch! Expensive - but worth it! I believe it is owned by the same people as Commanders Palace. You'll love New Orleans.

We were in New Orleans in May. The best meal we had was at Emerils other place. I can't think of the name of it. We also ate at Mr. B's bistro, Commanders etc. But this was by far the best. Email me and I will remember the name. It escapes me right now. It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten, and the attire was casual. Cindy

Neither Bayona (more romantic) or Nola (more lively) require a tie. Both have excellent food and both are located in the Quarter and for both you'll need reservations.

Delmonico and Nola are Emeril's "other" places. We ate at Nola, which was fabulous, and no ties required.

k-pauls is great, and fairly casual. i have eaten there many times and have never felt underdressed. my husband usually wears dockers and a shirt, no problem. The food is great! good down-home creole. I have also been to nola (emeril's other) and they are not grumpy about a dresscode. go to commander's for lunch, it's more reasonable and more lenient on dress.

K. Paul's is delish and is not dressy, so don't worry about that. Crawfish etouffee...mmmm. I like to go there for lunch rather than dinner; you get the same food without the inflated prices.

If you like gourmet food in a stylish but unstuffy atmosphere, I have a GREAT restaurant recommendation for you. A little place on the edge of the French Quarter called Peristyle. A tiny little place with only a few tables and incredible food. My boyfriend and I went a couple of years ago on the recommendation of a friend who went to school with the then-owner (I've heard it's since changed hands but at last report was still excellent). I remember when I called to make a reservation, I asked whether they had a dress code, and was told, "As long as you're wearing a little something, you'll be fine." I showed up in jeans and a plaid flannel shirt (seriously) and although I was certainly the least well-dressed person there that night, I was made to feel every bit as comfortable and welcome as a queen. This is a very stylish place, but without an ounce of pretention, where all the focus is really on the food. It is NOT inexpensive but is worth every penny. I think it's on Rampart Street or that's the nearest cross-street; you'll have to call information or look it up in the phone book when you get there. I definitely recommend making a reservation because there are literally only a few tables. When I was there it didn't even have a sign outside, so you had to know the address (yes, it's one of THOSE places). I remember there was a very cool, colorful painted mural behind the bar that I loved. The food was to die for. I still put it in the top three meals I've ever had (the other two were in Paris and Charleston). Do yourself a favor and go!

Another VERY casual (almost diner-style) place that I liked was Frankie and Johnnie's -- fried everything, and it's all good. The stuffed artichokes were fab.

If you like to sample the local music fare after dinner, try the Maple Leaf or Tipitinas.

By the way, spicy New Orleans food goes best with the locally-brewed Abita beer on draft!

We too, are also going to New Orleans
in August - I know it will be HOT but who cares...besides, we're coming from Maryland so we're accustomed to the heat and humidity anyway! We're staying at the Maison Dupuy so I've made reservations at Dominiques and I was also wondering about Louis XIV, RedFish Grill???? Any suggestions would be wonderful. I've also signed us up for the cooking school class/lunch - thought it would be fun...anyone done this?? Thanks

Crescent City Brewery is an incredible, laid-back restaurant with fantastic food! I would highly recommend the crawfish etoufee ( I have yet to find its match!) And they have some wonder ful beer too!

Crescent City Brewery is an incredible, laid-back restaurant with fantastic food! I would highly recommend the crawfish etoufee ( I have yet to find its match!) And they have some wonder ful beer too!

Crescent City Brewery is an incredible, laid-back restaurant with fantastic food! I would highly recommend the crawfish etoufee ( I have yet to find its match!) And they have some wonder ful beer too!

Dear Gina: Though I've not attended the cooking school in the Brewery, my London-based sister has done it twice and loved it. So do the London friends to whom she serves the Creole food she learned to prepare there. I myself live north of Lake Ponchartrain and my favorite New Orleans restaurants are: Commander's Palace, Bayona, and the Palace (on Canal St.--run by young Brennans). But it's very hard to have a bad meal in New Orleans. Enjoy. Joan