Restaurants in New Orleans

A few more to consider (all but Paladar would be considered fine dining I guess)

Paladar 511 (Marigny) http://www.paladar511.com/; the online menu is less special than the offerings you'll find during your visit--something feels very right about the seasonal and local focus, and the restaurant's ambiance is very special but still casual and personal
Sylvain (French Quarter) http://www.sylvainnola.com/
Galatoire's (French Quarter); no reservations, but if you're interested in classic and fancy and very well prepared, this might be your choice; very attentive service
Compere Lapin (CBD); delicious, unique
La Petite Grocery (Uptown); http://www.lapetitegrocery.com/
Josephine Estelle in the Ace Hotel (CBD/Downtown); http://josephineestelle.com/ getting rave reviews and on-trend with from-scratch Italian influenced food in the city

Personally I think casual and un-fancy food is really the star of this city; fancy food and drink might not be the shining star, but service tends to be amazing at those places; so if you're planning on settling in for an evening with a relaxed pace of drinking and eating, then go upscale. Definitely use Eater.com for current hot spots, too.

Always Mr. B's--stop in at Monteleone Hotel carousel bar first for cocktail- right across the street. Also Jacques-imo's if you can handle the wait; Pelican Club--old Nola--making me want to go; best food in US!

Check out Cochon:
http://www.cochonrestaurant.com

If you want to stay in the Quarter I would recommend NOLA, or Mr. Bs (BBQ shrimp is messy but amazing)

We had a VERY good brunch at Muriel's just off Jackson Square, and there is a place called Pelican Club that seem to remember a seafood feast at ... Those are all in the Quarter

You could try Peche Seafoodd Grill which I think is a Besch restaurant, or of course Commanders. There are a wealth of great places, I would say just steer clear of the obviously "feed 'em drink 'em and get 'em out" places - there is a lot of that right along the river and at the front of Jackson Square.

Bring loose clothes -- that's another thing - so much good stuff to be had ...

second Shaya for amazing Israeli, and Commanders Palace for more classic New Orleans food!

Commanders palace. Uggghhhhh

My BFF who is currently living in New Orleans recommends:

Lilette
Apolline
Atchafalaya

Good food, reasonable prices

Shaya restaurant is really good.