I'm gonna help you guys out.
One of my all-time favorite places to eat lunch on Saturday in New Orleans is not in the Quarter. It's
The Camilia Grill, at the end of St Charles Ave, and I've been eating there off and on since 1977. It's a little diner that opened in
1946. Your wife will love the old --but original-- beautiful building that's full of southern charm, complete with white picket fence out front. The waiters all wear White jackets with bow ties. EXTREMELY COOL!! And when I said it's "
at the end of St Charles Ave", I mean it's LITERALLY at the end of St Charles Ave, just past Tulane University and Loyola U. Technically, it's at 626 S Carrollton Ave, where S Carrollton Ave and St Charles meet. It's in the Tulane Univ area. Check it out.
Take the wife and kids. It's DIFFERENT, which is exactly what you are looking for in New Orleans. They'll like it and they'll think you are THE MAN! (But I won't tell 'em any different.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_Grill
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-camellia-grill-new-orleans