CBD

Uptown 3: Napoleon To Audubon

It's not true that New Orleans diners hate beautiful restaurants with atmosphere. But it's easy to come to that conclusion, given the number of ramshackle dining rooms that attract large, loyal clienteles. The premises are interesting in decor, but are spartan and less than comfortable. For most of its history, you couldn't get a reservation for fewer than five people, and waiting out back with a glass of wine was inevitable. And, somehow, chic. But time goes on. Under the new ownership, reservations are easy to get and the menu is a little more expensive. The place looks the same.

Warehouse District & Center City

The original idea here was to offer the feeling of being in the Louisiana wetlands, and to cook what one might catch there. Specifically, you are reminded of the fishing camp in the real town of Grand Isle--one of the several ends of the earth on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. That have evolved over the years into a menu much like you'd find in a good, funky New Orleans neighborhood place, but served in a squeaky-clean, hotel-restaurant kind of way.