Domenica
Just had another wonderful meal at Domenica, and after more than a dozen visits, this restaurant still leaves me with the feeling that I need to get back soon. I think we are lucky to have this place in New Orleans, as an alternative to the more typical Creole-Italian places (a few of which I also love). I've been there with many different people and all (except one) have left awed. (Said exception just can't accept Italian food unless it's spaghetti/meatballs, fettucine Alfredo, or veal parmesan, but I was convinced Domenica's pizza would effect a full-scale conversion. Still can't believe that didn't happen.)
The pizza ($13) never ceases to amaze; it's just perfect: thin crust, light touch with the highest quality ingredients, perfectly blistered. I've tried almost all the variations. My favorites are the prosciutto and arugula, the wild mushroom, and the clam, as these all feature some of my favorite foods. On this last visit, we tried the lamb meatball/ricotta pizza. Though good, I wouldn't order it again, but that's just because while I love lamb, I don't love it (or mint) on pizza; nor do I love ricotta, even excellent ricotta, as this was, on pizza. That said, my husband loved this combination--and so did the folks at the neighboring table, who had also ordered it.
We also shared the salad w/baby beets, which was good (though not quite as good because the pancetta cubes weren't as crisp) though definitely smaller than the last time we ordered it.
Although I have a weakness for fried calamari, I'm always loath to order it b/c it's hardly ever tender, but we've ordered it four times now. It always arrives a perfectly fried tangle of tentacles and rings, accompanied by delicious grilled ciabatta. (It's included, a little misleadingly, under the heading "bruschette.") For $8, it's a large portion, perfect for sharing. (Two of us once made a lunch of it and one small salad--what a bargain.)
But the piece de resistance this time were the fabulous goat cheese stuffed fried squash blossoms, back on the menu as summer squash season begins. They're stuffed with cheese and fried and still they manage to be delicate and light. We were sorry we hadn't ordered the large portion. At $11 for two,these seem pricey by Domenica standards (but having prepared these myself--not nearly as well--I know how labor-intensive they are).
We had the cherry fritters w/chocolate sauce for dessert, and they were delicious, but too heavy for me after all the other food. (We also had espressos; the heavenly chocolate meringue-y cookies that came with those would have sufficed as dessert for me.)
We didn't order pasta this time, but on the previous visit, we had the rabbit ragu w/tagliatelle and the cavatelli w/beans and sausage. Both were fantastic. And my husband absolutely adores the lasagna.
What I really love about Domenica is that everything about the place is high-end except the prices. With cocktails, tax, and tip, our tab on this visit was still under $100--and we really had more to eat than we needed.
I can't wait to get back.
-----
Domenica
123 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70112
-
+2!
We went again a couple of weeks ago and it was fantastic. The squash blossoms might be an all-time favorite appetizer. The pizzas have been great and the tagliatelle with rabbit ragu was excellent. The charcuterie is a favorite for the boyfriend. My only gripes have been with the meatballs and polenta - the red sauce had a distinct similarity to chef boyardee last week. Also, the gnocchi with brown butter and almonds was very disappointing. Other than that, a great restaurant. We were also commenting on what a bargain the place was after our last visit.
I have never tried the entree meat/fish dishes. Any recommendations?
-
+!
i took my father there the other weekend, he is italian and grew up w/ the best east-coast grandmother recipes around....he loved it. besides the food (prosciutto pizza, squash blossoms, rabbit ragu, etc), he enjoyed the space and cosmopolitan vibe. reminded him of the big city.
have never been disappointed there yet, so will continue to recommend. a nice alternative to the scene.
