Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Wow, my wife and I did that exact same thing - mostly because there's nowhere to sit in the bagel place. Damn cold in that park.

They're good, just different. Cakier consistency and definitely sweeter which is no suprise as they are boiled in honey-sweetened water. Depends on what you're in the mood for, but with CC and lox they wouldn't have a chance over NY bagels.

Bayona, Palace Café, Lillet, Herb Saint, Clancy's, Gauthraux, The Upperline, Commander's Palace, for a classic, Arnaud's (all of these were awesome, don't know if they are open or closed). Emerils and Delmonicos are good, Nola is not as good though. I used to love an italian place (not NOLA eats by any means though) called Bravo, has a special place in my heart from when I lived there, but it has more of a chain vibe.

Coops place is a must. It is a little hole in the wall local hangout with the best sausage with red beans and rice and seafood gumbo. If your craving a fried oyster po boy go to Acme oyster house. For fried chicken head over to fiorellas. Lastly, for a more fancy dinner, Nola is one of my favs. And you cant go do Nawlins with going to Cafe du Monde for some beignets.

I am thrilled Frankie and Johnny's is open. Is is crowded like it used to be? They also do a fantastic stuffed artichoke, but the battered fried bell pepper rings are my favorite NOLA food.

Stanley's closed when Stella reopened so that they could make renevations, but apparently now there is talk that it isn't going to open in the same spot but somewhere else. yes, there has been a lot of talk about Willie mae's reopening...but still think they have a lot more too do before they can reopen. For other great oysters, Cassemento's is great!!

Both Stanley's and Willie May's are Closed. Both are promising to open soon, but don't think they will by time you visit. Boudin is very hard to find in New Olreans as it is a cajun thing. Cochon does have boudin however and is very good. For crawfish, you need to go to a little hole in the wall place called Frankie and Jonny's (they also have wondeful pepper rings). If you cannot get uptown, there is a place in the quarter called Yo Mama's which is a little bar that has great boiled crawfish. You have to get a Muffaletta at Central Grocery on Decteur. Coop's in the Quater is also very good for New Orleans type food and the price is also very good. A roast beef po-boy at Parasol's in the Irish channel is also a must. For a higher end place, Brigsten's is the place to go. It is uptown, but worth it. Jacque-Imo's is a fun, funky place with New Olreans food. I always make sure I take anyone that comes into town here. They have a great alligator and shirmp savory cheesecake. Hope this helped some. But really there isn't a single bad meal in New Orleans.