I'm off to New Orleans for all next week for a Microsoft conference. I'm going to have a couple of free days in there too. Does anyone have any ideas for some must-see, must-do things while there?
Crescent City Brewhouse($$) http://www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com (excellent brew pub serving cajun style pub food and much more, this is the place that has the chocolate basket for dessert!)
Old bars are my thing, so I'll for sure hit the Jean lafitte Blacksmith Bar up. My last trip to Boston for the same conference had us drinking a few nights at the Bell-in-Hand, which we were told was the USA's oldest Tavern, established in the 1700s.
My favorite deli, Stein's Deli for a great sandwich. Has a fabulous selection of bottled beer and meads as well as wines. It is package only though. Can't drink there unless it has changed since I last been there. The owner is an avid home brewer I have heard as well.
For straight eats most listed are good choices although most are touristy. I would suggest Mulate's for a cajun feel although New Orleans is a Creole culture.
Look at this link and look at the left side of the page for the list of Top 10 NO restaurants in 2009. They are all great. I really like John Besh's places. All are great but pricey.
Keep in mind these are mostly tourist places and the really good food is in the outskirts where the locals eat. I'd suggest looking around the NOLA.COM site and see whats in the area of town you will be staying at.
Everyone raves about Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter. I hate this place. It is filthy and the Cafe au Lait and beignets are just average or less. If you have transportation I highly suggest Morning Call in Metairie. It blows Cafe du Monde away.