full. it was wonderful. and in two months later, the oil thing hits. you know ... so life is that way sometimes. >> how y'all doing? >> one of the most celebrated chefs of new orleans. he loves his city and the dining scene and he's heartbroken to see it struggling. >> it's a trickle-down effect that affects everybody that is in the restaurant business. >> reporter: he says the problems tourists fear are more imagined than real but perceptions are causing them to cancel vegas vacations. >> we would love to sit down with each person that's going to take a trip and say, here's what we've got. you know, here's what we can do for you. this is the food we've got. we've got great restaurants in the city. >> reporter: and, shep, as revenues plummet, costs are going up because with so many