City: New Orleans, LA

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (504) 945-2222

Address: 2600 Chartres St.

Description: The tropically lush, romantic courtyard crumbling with history and serving as the restaurant’s bar, has been a favorite among locals for years. For an untouristy spot in which to unwind with pre-dinner cocktails, it has few equals. The courtyard surface features bricks recycled from the massive fireplace of the original D’Aunoy Plantation, built in 1795 and one of the first constructed in the historic Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. Guests can dine downstairs in the main dining room adjacent to the bar. Or, for an extra touch of romance, when making reservations request one of the candlelit tables on the second-floor balcony that overlooks the courtyard. Try the Gulf Fish Nicholas, a fresh grilled filet, brushed with Dijon mustard, topped with grilled shrimp and served on a bed of creamed spinach or the Seafood Baked Eggplant featuring shrimp, crawfish, sausage, and rice over fried eggplant and topped with hollandaise. Open for dinner Thurs through Sun, as well as for Sun brunch.