Copper Vine
cheese and garlic aioli or bacon-wrapped dates with rosemary honey , cream cheese , and pecans .
THE ITALIAN BARREL 1240 Decatur St | theitalianbarrel . com
If you ’ re craving authentic northern Italian cuisine , then The Italian Barrel is sure to please your palate ! Chef and owner Samantha Castagnetti , hailing from Verona , Italy , perfectly crafts house-made plates of pasta , tempting salads , enticing entrees , and decadent desserts at this charming French Quarter trattoria . Chef Sam has been wowing locals and visitors since opening her intimate eatery in 2008 . Warm and inviting with exposed brick walls and a distinctly Italian vibe , the restaurant dishes out heartfelt cuisine all day long , seven days a week , making it the ideal spot for a late lunch or pre-theater dinner . Al fresco dining offers great people-watching , or sit outside during a New Orleans Jazz Museum outdoor concert for free entertainment . Chef Sam sources most of her ingredients directly from Italy , so starting with an imported Italian cheese or cold cuts platter is a terrific choice . Don ’ t miss the “ polpette di vitello ,” a tender Italian-style veal meatball in red sauce and the exquisite pumpkin ravioli sautéed in butter and sage . Veal dishes range from the hearty osso buco over fresh polenta to the classic veal piccata . For something on the lighter side , opt for the Ahi tuna salad with cherry tomatoes , avocado , mango , and cilantro lime vinaigrette . One of the stars of the show is the porcini and truffle ravioli — housemade pasta filled with porcini mushrooms and truffle , topped with a lavish white wine cream sauce finished with white truffle oil . Do save room for Miss Patricia ’ s ( Chef Sam ’ s mom ) fantastic secret recipe Tiramisu . Buono !
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