Southern hospitality and cosmopolitan clubbiness are a happy match at the New Orleans-based beef mecca. Up a grand staircase lie private rooms and the main dining room, long and wood paneled. On the entry level are smaller dining areas and the bar, home to a surprisingly affordable daily happy hour -- the perfect place to send a companion lacking shopping mall stamina. <br> It's hard not to want some of everything on the menu. Favorites (though it's hard to narrow down) include sizzling crab cakes, velvety lobster bisque, a fork-tender filet of the highest quality midwestern beef and a well-marbled rib eye that tastes just as good the next day as leftovers. Yes, dinner can set you back, especially if you're tempted to go crazy with the huge Wine Spectator Award-winning list. But lunch offerings (sandwiches with fries, salads) are priced just right -- which leaves more room for dessert: The ultra-rich caramelized banana cream pie should be shared ... more

Southern hospitality and cosmopolitan clubbiness are a happy match at the New Orleans-based beef mecca. Up a grand staircase lie private rooms and the main dining room, long and wood paneled. On the entry level are smaller dining areas and the bar, home to a surprisingly affordable daily happy hour -- the perfect place to send a companion lacking shopping mall stamina. <br> It's hard not to want some of everything on the menu. Favorites (though it's hard to narrow down) include sizzling crab cakes, velvety lobster bisque, a fork-tender filet of the highest quality midwestern beef and a well-marbled rib eye that tastes just as good the next day as leftovers. Yes, dinner can set you back, especially if you're tempted to go crazy with the huge Wine Spectator Award-winning list. But lunch offerings (sandwiches with fries, salads) are priced just right -- which leaves more room for dessert: The ultra-rich caramelized banana cream pie should be shared, but you'll want to keep the fresh seasonal berries in a custard sauce all to yourself. Service is justifiably renowned: smooth and unintrusive with excellent timing less