Before the storm, I'm not sure I'd seen a car without scratches and dents in New Orleans. Afterwards, the streets were full of mint automobiles. I'd bet the number of kitchens with marble countertops increased fivefold after Katrina. And before the waters washed through the city, there probably wasn't a single neighborhood joint like Sammy's with sparkling tiles and flat-screen TVs on the walls. We treasure grit in New Orleans. But we're not foolish enough to say "no" to a little modern comfo...