Way to New Orleans' Heart Is Through Your Stomach

Whenever you read about a popular convention destination, you're bound to come across the obligatory article that says the city is home to world-class restaurants and offbeat eateries offering the most interesting and delectable food imaginable.

Well, we must apologize right now because that's exactly what we are going to say about New Orleans—and we don't even have to exaggerate! (Just one note as you plan your schedule: restaurants are frequently closed Sunday and Monday, and a few are closed for lunch.)

To begin with, the city exhibits a meat- and seafood-heavy cuisine, but for those less inclined for surf or turf, many finer restaurants craft dishes not even on the menu.

The French Quarter hosts a full mandala of restaurants, and we have selected some of our favorites. For those of you with hefty travel budgets, Bayona ($$$; 430 Dauphine Avenue) is a must with many Creole cuisine options. Susan Spicer is one of the city's most innovative chefs, devising funky dishes such as andouille-stuffed rabbit roulade. NOLA ($$; 534 Saint Louis Street) is our favorite (and cheapest) of Emeril's three restaurants in town. We recommend its shrimp and grits or duck and fried egg pizza. Stella ($$$; 1032 Chartres Street) is a quiet must-dine experience known for its scrumptious desserts and kobe beef.

Lastly, no trip is complete without a traditional breakfast at Brennan's ($$$; 417 Royal Street), featuring eggs Benedict and bananas Foster.

New Orleans is famous as well for its bivalves, and the best can be found at Acme Oyster House ($; 724 Iberville Street), and then you can drop in at Drago's ($$; 2 Poydras Street) for more great seafood.

Moving slightly uptown, the central business district and adjoining warehouse district feature locally inspired Continental cuisine.

Uptown district restaurants are generally less expensive and less crowded. This area hosts a wealth of culinary favorites accessible from the St. Charles streetcar followed by a short walk or by taxi. Here is a sampling:

Past Uptown, for the more adventurous palate, the best Cajun cuisine is found on Oak Street near the end of the St. Charles streetcar line. How about alligator cheesecake at Jacques-Imo's ($$; 8324 Oak Street) with its bohemian atmosphere and exotic menu? Close by in the Riverbend area lies local favorite Brigtsen's ($$$; 723 Dante Street), worth the price of a taxi ride. It has an award-winning menu whose interpretation of Creole/Acadian food sets a high standard.

Lastly, if your taste buds are watering for the best fried chicken ever, drop by Willie Mae's Scotch House ($; 2401 Saint Ann Street) in mid-city. Take a taxi.

We hope this guide helps add some gustatory satisfaction to your experience at APA's annual meeting in May.