Best Southern Italian restaurant in New Orleans

Domenica is a stylish, bustling restaurant located in The Roosevelt Hotel in Uptown New Orleans, offering modern Italian cuisine, beer, and cocktails. It strives to serve the best locally sourced food while bringing the dishes that its Italian chef grew up with. Domenica's menu features handmade pastas, cured meats, and wood-fired pizzas, all paired with a stylish and vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant offers a unique dining experience, with dishes like cavatelli with rabbit and mushrooms and crema al tartufo tagliatelle, as well as wood-fired pizzas and classic cannoli. Domenica has received numerous accolades, including being named Best Restaurant in the City by New Orleans Magazine and chosen as a top restaurant of 2012 by Food & Wine. The restaurant is known for its exceptional service, with a highly recommended atmosphere that is perfect for both special occasions and casual dining. Domenica's menu is rooted in tradition, but its chefs focus on elevating Italian ingredients and classic flavors to create modern classics adapted for the contemporary palate of New Orleans.

Dirty Dime Productions is a unique dual-concept venue that brings together two unforgettable experiences under one roof. The business offers a Sicilian Italian restaurant called Pulcinella, serving family recipes with a modern influence, and an intimate speakeasy called The Original Nite Cap, featuring burlesque, comedy, and live music performances. Located in the historic 7th Ward of New Orleans, Dirty Dime Productions provides an authentic New Orleans experience, blending Sicilian flavors with the city's rich cultural history and entertainment scene. Pulcinella, the Italian restaurant, offers a wide variety of dishes, including seafood cannelloni, eggplant parmesan, and bucatini alla amatriciana, all inspired by Sicilian heritage and family recipes. The restaurant's menu is crafted by Executive Chef Shea Vidrine, who uses local vendors and imported Italian ingredients to create authentic Sicilian cuisine. Meanwhile, The Original Nite Cap offers a unique experience, with shows starting at 8PM, featuring burlesque, comedy, and live music performances led by renowned burlesque performer Bella Blue. The venue's cozy setting and intimate table seating create an up-close experience, with handcrafted cocktails, Italian wines, and craft beers available. Dirty Dime Productions caters to locals and visitors alike, offering an authentic New Orleans experience that combines Sicilian flavors with the city's rich cultural history and entertainment scene. With Pulcinella's casual fine dining Sicilian food and The Original Nite Cap's live performances, the business provides a unique experience that is not found at larger venues. The team behind Dirty Dime Productions includes owners Andrew Principe and JD Solomon, Executive Chef Matty Hayes, and Headmistress of Hospitality Bella Blue, among others, all working together to create an unforgettable experience for patrons.