Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry about your mom. Hugs.
Vonnie! Agree on Butcher - it's fantastic, and was what I would have recommended. Other restaurants in that area that you can't really go wrong with: Peche (amazeballs seafood) and Emeril's (the mothership), La Boca. Heading further downtown toward to FQ: The Paramount Building on Okeefe and Girod has a bunch of awesome places - Willa Jean, Company Burger, and Part & Parcel. Domenica and Borgne are also good.
French Quarter: Meauxbar has a new chef since I've last been, but I imagine it's still great. Keep a look out for The Old Portage food popups at the Black Penny, an awesome neighborhood bar. Green Goddess is still there as well, new dinner chef since you were there (same guy who does lunch). Sylvain, Trinity, Cane & Table, Latitude 29, Brennan's, Killer Po-boys, Angeline.
I have other recs for further downtown (Marigny/Bywater) as well as Uptown if you're interested. I also have a bunch of stuff up on Thrillist for specific genres of food/booze.