WHY New Orleans heaven: gumbo, jambalaya, soft-shell crab, crawfish etouffée and, most of all, the fried chicken.

WHAT A landmark on a battered stretch of Jefferson, Harold & Belle’s is home to L.A.’s best Cajun and Creole cooking. This is not the funky dive some people expect given the neighborhood—it’s a nice restaurant with a full bar, valet parking, an expensive menu and sometimes-slow service—but hey, you don’t want to rush over this rich food anyway. Relax, have a drink, take your time over your etouffée and fried chicken, and if you hope to have room for the famed bread pudding, don’t clear your plate (portions are huge).

WHO Dressed-up folks out for a splurge.