What makes a restaurant a fave for me? There must be something special about it, and the service must be excellent in addition to great food. I also am really influenced by the atmosphere (although I don't like pretense). The following come close to having all three and/or I eat there often enough that I just love the spot despite a few shortcomings: Le Coloniel, Sweets and Savories, The Bagel, Las Tablas, Le Bouchon
My most tattered cookbooks:
The All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook, Emerils New New Orleans Cooking