re: Where would you rank New Orleans for dining in the U.S.?

Classic argument...is lyon and bologna the best in their respective countries or is paris and Rome? The passion for the dining scene is much greater per capita in the smaller cities. Rome and Paris have their own cuisine too though. Just like Bologna and Lyon are the beating heart of food of their countries, so is new orleans.

With that stated, no list of a top 5 in America is correct when considering everything without NYC, San Francisco and New Orleans.

Chicago is likely right there...then LA, Houston, DC, Charleston, etc.

Now, when you get to global great dining scenes NYC is all that belongs in the upper echelon...maybe san francisco if we include napa/sonoma and carmel.