We were just in FQRV a week ago. Walked from out rig at about 6 PM to St Charles and Canal and caught a trolley to Commanders Palace for wonderful dinner. Given the time and distance when we left we took a cab back to the campground - $10 - on top of dinner at Commanders Palace, not even noticeable. The next night we got back to our coach late afternoon and had dinner on board.
I would not hesitate to take DW and go there again. My Rochester apartment is in central city and has the same feel of risk as NO after dark. We travel in NYC by foot and love it. The only pickpocket experience I remember was in the Rome Train station and had he succeeded he would have gotten two pipes and 1/4 pound of pipe tobacco, instead he had a really sore wrist when I swung my arm down to block him. I carry very little on me, a credit card or two and enough cash to pay for a couple of cab rides, don't need a big roll or all my ID for dinner and a drink or two.