FRENCH QUARTER. Classic French Creole cuisine is what sets Antoine's apart. The restaurant has been in business since the mid-1800s and the recipes may seem basic, but each entree's flavor is uniquely delectable. Diners can enjoy choices like potato soufflé or Poulet Rochambeau, a boneless half-chicken served with a sweet brown rochambeau and tangy béarnaise sauce. The decor is spaciously elegant and, even though Antoine's still prints its menu in French, the staff is more than eager to help.

FRENCH QUARTER. A legendary New Orleans favorite of both locals and visitors, Arnaud's has been serving great dishes like shrimp Arnaud and oysters Bienville since 1918. A jazz brunch on Sunday, live jazz every night, and a variety of dining rooms add to the allure, making the restaurant a popular and tasty destination for everything from fresh seafood to quality meats. A Mardi Gras museum on the second floor provides terrific browsing while you wait for your table. Recipient of the DiRoNA award. Appropriate attire depends on which dining room you choose ­ inquire in advance. A cigar and cocktails bar is adjacent.

FRENCH QUARTER. Brennan's is a time-tested classic for French Creole cuisine and for "Breakfast at Brennan's," its elegant, gourmet take on morning fare. A New Orleans institution, the restaurant endears itself to locals and tourists alike. After you've dined on incredible seafood like blackened redfish or trout pecan, make sure you sample the truly sinful bananas Foster, their signature dessert! You'll treat yourself in one of 12 dining rooms inside a circa-1795 building or on the outdoor patio. A la carte and prix fixe menus are available.

FRENCH QUARTER. For nearly 80 years, Broussard's has been serving some of the best French Creole cuisine in New Orleans. The restaurant's decor features a Parisian-styled promenade as well as a serene courtyard, plus there is piano entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. The menu features a number of seafood selections as well as veal options. Broussard's also offers an extensive wine list, a selection of Davidoff cigars, and is a recipient of the DiRoNA award.

MID-CITY. A metal-roofed porch enclosed in plastic houses this quirky dining room. Ceiling fans and metal garden tables and chairs with tapestry cushions flank the tight but charming space. Bloody Marys and mimosas complement the delicious brunch specials that might include seafood crepes, grillades and grits, and calf's liver and sweetbreads. At dinner, you'll enjoy delicacies such as seared duck breast with mushroom spatzle and pear choucroute.