Dominica

Domenica, which means “Sunday” in Italian is another John Besh restaurant and is the perfect place for a casual meal and an alternative to the local Cajun and Creole food. High ceilings and communal tables evoke a traditional Sunday supper in a rustic Italian village.

Located in the renovated and historic Roosevelt Hotel, the friendly bar is a lively after work spot and a draw for locals working downtown. Custom brewed beers, an Italian oriented wine list and delicious pizzas and other small plates make it ideal for a quick bite or a light dinner.

Pizza headlines the menu and it is delicious. 17 varieties include traditional margarita, but also spicy lamb meatballs with tomato, ricotta, rapini and mint; wild mushroom with tomato, fontina, bacon, sweet onions and yard egg and duck with porcini, mascarpone, sweet potato and scallions. There is a nice selection of imported and house cured meats, excellent soft and hard cheeses, a nice antipasti selection and nine pasta choices offered in small and large plates. The garganelli with Maine lobster, tomato, burrata and bread crumbs was fantastic. There are a few entrees like wild snapper and wood oven goat and some great desserts like oven roasted peach cake with Louisiana blueberries and salted caramel.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: Not so much.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…
Housed in the CBD’s “beautiful” Roosevelt Hotel, John Besh’s “casual, cosmopolitan” Italian eatery features “heavenly good”, wood-fired pizzas (toppings range from “simple and delectable” to “foodie fabulous”), plus “house-cured meats and sausages” and other “contemporary Italian” dishes, all crafted by “talented” chef Alon Shaya and served by a “well-trained” team; the chic, “high-energy” establishment is “always packed” and “can get a bit loud”, especially during the “can’t-be-beat” happy hour, but “that’s part of the charm.” ZAGAT