Sibling to the famed Commander's Palace in the Big Easy, Brennan's is a legend in its own right, executing refined Creole cuisine with Southern flair in an elegant atmosphere since 1967. The kitchen continues to innovate, yet many loyal diners have a tough time veering from their old favorites—the turtle soup topped with sherry, the shrimp and grits, the pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and for dessert, the bananas Foster flambéed at the table. Painstakingly rebuilt in 2010 after being razed by a fire during Hurricane Ike, the bi-level venue features a brick-lined interior with sparkling chandeliers and several dining spaces, including a New Orleans-inspired courtyard with a fountain and vine-covered walls. Weekend brunch offers live jazz, fried oysters, and cups of chicory java.