Nino's Italian

Nino’s Italian

7512 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA
225.757.9300

www.ninos-italian.com

I often visit other blogs and read online reviews of area restaurants to get an idea of new places to check out.  A reviewer of Nino’s on Urbanspoon.com did a great job of describing Nino’s, so I had to quote him.  Eric says, “If you love Olive Garden, you will probably hate Nino’s”.

Hate is seldom used within the context of a compliment, but here it clearly is.  Chef Elton Hyndman uses fresh ingredients, and makes everything from scratch.  From the hot, fresh sourdough bread you receive at the beginning of your meal to the fresh pasta and sauces, everything is house made, and you can taste the difference.  And it’s something he is proud of, as well he should be.  A visit to the restaurant’s website doesn’t just give you a scanned copy of the restaurant menu.  Each item on the menu is photographed and described in detail, down to the steps taken in preparation.

The restaurant is small, and serves as a good setting for an intimate romantic night out without the kids.  That’s exactly what my wife and I did to celebrate her birthday.  We made a reservation (which is a good idea given its limited seating capacity), and were seated promptly when we arrived.

We first sampled the gnocchi appetizer.  Fresh potato pasta dumplings topped with a basil cream sauce.  When prepared properly, these are extremely light and delicate and just melt in your mouth.  Nino’s nailed it, as these were easily the best I’ve ever eaten.

Gnocchi

Caesar salads followed, and were fresh and tasty as well.  An excellent example of the care Chef Elton puts into his food is shown in the crouton for the salad.  A thin slice of homemade sourdough bread is topped with pepper, olive oil, and parmesan and toasted in the oven.  This type of attention to detail is what separates good restaurants from great restaurants.

For entrees, we had the lasagna and gorgonzola pasta.  The lasagna is filled with marinated and grilled zucchini and summer squash, along with seasoned ground beef.  The beef is browned and seasoned using a spinach-basil-lemon juice puree that really helps to alleviate some of the heaviness often associated with lasagna.  The pasta and marinara are of course house made and as fresh as you can find anywhere.

Lasagna

The gorgonzola pasta was very delicious, consisting of sautéed mushrooms and peppers swimming in a brandy-gorgonzola cream sauce atop fresh fettuccine.  Eating fresh pasta is kinda like seeing HD television for the first time.  Once you have experienced it, what you knew before vastly pales in comparison.

Gorgonzola pasta

Of course we had to try dessert, and typically we would have opted for a traditional Italian favorite, especially given the fact that I had been told the tiramisu was outrageously good.  However, I am fanatic about chocolate chip cookies.  They are one of the greatest things ever produced by man.  When I saw them on the menu and read the description, I was sold.  These are oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, baked to order, and served with fresh cream and cold milk.  It would be an insult to even try to put into words how good these cookies are.  You just have to check them out yourself.

Cookies

Nino’s is not to be missed.  It is among the best restaurants our city has to offer.  Period.

Service Appreciation Day

In conjunction with Johnny D's New York Pizza Restaurant, Cuisine Rouge is please to present Service Appreciation Day.  This event is to show our appreciation to the fine men and women who serve our community.

All veterans, active military personnel, law enforcement, EMS, fire, and first responders are welcome to enjoy the delicious pizza buffet at Johnny D's this Monday, December 7, 2009 from 11AM - 2PM - FOR FREE!

That's right, all the free pizza that you guys can eat.

It's our way of saying thank you for the important job that you do.

Mmmemories - Roma Deli

In the spot that currently houses Taste of Asia, there was once a great little Italian deli/restaurant called Roma Deli. One might say that it would be easy to forget given the quantity of Italian restaurants in this city, but this place was special. From the cozy atmosphere to the great food, it was a favorite spot for many, especially at lunch time. I'm sure most of the food there was good, but I was never able to get past the calzone. I just couldn't seem to bring myself to order anything but that. Made to order, you could count on a bit of wait if you ordered one, but it was well worth it. You can get a tasty calzone at many spots in town, but this one still stands out to me as the best I've had.

Sadly it didn't make it, and for whatever reason closed its doors for good. If you're craving the calzone, check out DeAngelos, Johnny D's, Mellow Mushroom, or the newest addition to the restaurant scene in Prairieville, Rotollos. All offer a good experience, and for me it brings back the memories of those times at Roma waiting patiently for the kitchen to turn out my delicious homemade lunch selection.

What places do you miss? Send in your restaurant memories and you could be featured on the website, and win a cool Cuisine Rouge t-shirt! Email them to - cuisinerouge225@gmail.com

Pinetta's European Restaurant

3056 Perkins Rd.
225.387.9174
no website

Cuisine Rouge Rating:

4 plates

by: Chad

As exciting and impressive as some new BR restaurants are, sometimes you just want to find a nice, quiet, cozy place where you can enjoy a simple meal. That’s what Pinetta’s is all about. Opened in 1962 by the Bubola family from Eastern Europe, this tiny inconspicuous bistro has been a favorite of many locals for many years.

From the moment you walk through the door, you get the impression that nothing has been touched since that opening day some 47 years ago. The atmosphere creates the feeling of another time and place, with old artwork adorning the walls, and a variety of beer steins and empty Chianti bottles hanging from the ceilings. To say this place is romantic would be an understatement. It has the classic “romantic Italian restaurant” theme down pat, complete with red checked tablecloths and candles on every table. It’s definitely has the appeal of a date night spot but is also suitable for families and groups of friends.

The menu is an interesting one, featuring a mixture of dishes from Italy, Turkey, and Germany. The majority of the items are Italian, and all the dishes are very simple and rustic. The menu features two Turkish dishes which we did not sample, Musaca potatoes and the Shish-Ka-Bob. The German selections are four; Sauerbraten, Thuringen Bratwurst, Schnitzel Holstein, and Weiner Schnitzel. Despite this being a very small selection, it’s the only German food you’ll find anywhere in this area.

We did order the Weiner Schnitzel, and it was okay. The breaded veal was tender but dry, and not very flavorful. The riced potatoes served as a side were over-seasoned and could not be finished. However, on a positive note, the apples in the sauerkraut were an interesting touch, and added a good flavor and texture. We tasted several of the Italian dishes, starting with the polenta appetizer. This was a bit different than polenta I have had before, it being in a more solid form, cut into slices and served with their signature red sauce. The entrée I sampled was the lasagna, also served with the same red sauce. The sauce shares the same old world, rustic quality that the whole restaurant showcases. It tastes like something your grandmother would make, very rich and hearty, with chunks of vegetables and a great flavor.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the meal was the dessert. The chocolate tiramisu was not only the best tiramisu dish that I have had, but overall one of the best desserts period. The portion was large, easily enough to share with at least two people, and the flavor and texture of it was just perfect. Not overly sweet, and with a great chocolate taste that wasn’t overly bitter or chalky.

I would highly recommend Pinetta’s to someone looking for a romantic, quiet, intimate setting for a meal. You won’t have the vast menu options of a larger restaurant, but you also won’t have the noise and chaos that often goes with it. In fact, I’ll go a step further and say that unless you are looking for a nice, relaxed meal, you shouldn’t go there. The service isn’t the fastest, and some would even say it borders on bad, but it’s part of the experience. The idea here is that you are taking your time, and I think a waiter that is running back and forth from the kitchen would take away from the atmosphere and the experience.


Polenta

Chocolate Tiramisu

Mmmemories - Semolina Restaurant

by: Ginger

Even though I sincerely love the restaurant that has taken its place (Dingo's), I am still missing one of my old favorite pasta places - Semolina.  Semolina, which was wildly popular in Baton Rouge in the 90s, closed its two locations about 2 years ago and now I'm left with a hankering for their version of eggplant parmesan which will go forever unfulfilled, sadly. (Unless of course I take a drive to Metairie to visit the only remaining location).

Semolina was the first place I'd ever tried the eggplant dish, which could be why it's my favorite.  Crisply fried eggplant medallions lay on a bed of perfectly cooked angel hair pasta, smothered in their delicious marinara and topped with melted provolone.  It was a magnificent dish and I ordered it regularly.  They was also known for a myriad of other wonderful pasta dishes and one of my other favorites was their Chicken Enchilada Pasta - tender chicken breast sautéed with onions, green peppers and black beans in a tortilla cheese sauce tossed with penne pasta and topped with shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips.  It was a carb-lovers delight.  My third favorite dish was the Marinara Quattro Formaggio which featured both alfredo and marinara sauces over penne pasta with four cheeses - parmesan, fontina, provolone and bleu.  It was creamy, zesty, cheesy and wonderful.  Of course they also featured the ultimate in comfort food - the macaroni and cheese cake.  It was a large wedge of macaroni and cheese, served cake-style, smothered in a creamy cheese sauce.  It was unbelievably good and could always cure what ailed you.  Interestingly enough - Dingo's serves a similar dish as a side - a macaroni and cheese wedge that my son is in love with.

Semolina also introduced me to another Italian favorite that I'd first heard of about in the movie Sleepless in Seattle and was anxious to try - tiramisu.  They started serving it in a traditional square slice format but in later years began serving it scooped into a large martini glass, the inside of which was drizzled with chocolate syrup.  The moist espresso-soaked lady fingers were fabulous next to layers of sweet mascarpone cheese and of course, the classic dusting of cocoa.  It was rich, decadent and the best tiramisu I think Baton Rouge had to offer. 

Since saying goodbye to Semolina, I have discovered another great place to get my Italian fix that I must admit I think I like even better.  That place is Monjuni's.  Monjuni's has incredible Italian food and a delicious sweet marinara that I crave on a regular basis.  Their meatball sub is easily the best sandwich in town.  There are now two Monjuni's in Baton Rouge and I strongly suggest you give the little Italian Cafe and Grocery a try.  Look for a full review, coming soon to Cuisine Rouge.

Do you have a mmmemory of a Baton Rouge eatery that you'd like to share??  We would love to hear from you.  Go to the link below to find out how to submit your entries.  You could be featured on our website, and win a cool t-shirt!

http://cuisinerouge.com/be-a-part-of-cuisine-rouge/

Local Owner Interview: Johnny DeAngelo – Johnny D’s New York Pizza Company

By: Mark

Johnny DeAngelo is the owner of Johnny D’s, an Italian and New York style pizza restaurant located at 13214 Coursey Blvd in Baton Rouge, near the intersection of Stumberg Lane and Coursey Boulevard. Johnny is a native of New Jersey, where he grew up making pizzas, something he still does, and does well. He has been kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions for Cuisine Rouge:

1. How did you get started in the restaurant business?

“I made my first pizzas in 1973 in Mr. Hill’s Restaurant and Bar back in Bayonne, New Jersey. My sister Janet and I ran the kitchen. I was fresh out of high school and I knew cooking pizzas was what I wanted to do with my life.”

2. What or who were your influences?

“When I was a kid my biggest influence was the great Julia Child. She inspired me to not only cook, but to also pursue a cooking show of my own. I also learned from my mom and sisters, especially working in my sister’s restaurant Mortorano’s (which is now Schlitz and Giggles downtown).”

3. When did you know you could make it in this business?

“Do you ever really know you will make it in this business? When my sister closed her restaurant, it sat vacant for a year (the Jones Creek location). I reopened it and the biggest indication we were doing something right, was the people’s positive reaction. We had to be doing something right! We have had plenty of regular and return customers over the years.”

4. How did you decide on this location?

“I started looking as soon as I heard of the plan to expand Jones Creek Road. There was a good chance I would lose my parking lot and that would have been very bad for business. I drove around and just saw a “For Sale” sign in the window. I inquired and the rest is history. It was truly God’s will that I ended up in this location.”

5. What do you love about your job?

“I love to make people happy. I love the interaction with the customer. Every day I get to meet new and interesting people; people from all walks of life that are united by their love of pizza!”

6. What do you hate about your job?

“When things are out of my control. The service by the wait staff, the performance in the kitchen; I have no control over how someone ultimately does their job. It causes great stress when you can’t control someone’s performance. I take it personal when a customer does not receive the highest quality of service.”

7. When you aren’t cooking, what do you like to do?

“I love to shoot guns. I have many pistols and rifles and enjoy shooting them at the range. I am an avid believer in the Second Amendment.”

8. What would you be doing if you weren’t the owner of Johnny D's?

“I used to work for a security sales company, so I would probably be doing that. Or I would be working for my wife at DeAngelo Real Estate.”

9. What is your favorite dish on the menu?

“The Johnny’s Choice pizza – loaded with Italian sausage, onions, and mushrooms.”

10. What would your last meal be?

“Pizza of course! My perfect pizza has a nice thin crust, light on the sauce and cheese, and plenty of quality ingredients such as Italian sausage, onions, and mushrooms.”

11. What is your best moment as a restaurant owner?

“My best moment was being able to provide all the food for a wedding for one of my friends. Knowing I was able to do something so nice for someone was a good feeling.”

12. What is your worst moment as a restaurant owner?

“When Hurricane Gustav hit Baton Rouge. To a small business this was devastating. We had to shut down for two weeks and I lost a lot of money and all of my food. We were literally on the brink of disaster.”

13. Anything new for the future?

“Well I would love to have my own cooking show in the restaurant. I have also decided to place the rosemary and garlic baked chicken with roasted vegetables on the menu as a special. Also I am reapplying for our liquor license. It will take 90 days to get approved but we should be able to serve beer and wine soon.”

14. Other than what you make, what other foods do you enjoy?

“I love Chinese and Mexican. My wife especially loves fajitas. I am also a fan of sushi, however the more standard, cooked stuff, not sea urchin. My favorite non-Italian meal would be a perfectly cooked filet mignon with a fully loaded baked potato and a good salad.”

15. If a person is only visiting your place once, what dish should they get?

“The spaghetti and meatballs. It is simple, good comfort food and I am very proud of it. Make sure to top it with plenty of Pecorino Romano cheese.”

Cuisine Rouge would like to thank you Johnny DeAngelo for taking the time to answer our questions. Good luck to you and Johnny D’s in the future!

Johnny D's Italian Restaurant and New York Pizza

Update: Johnny D's closed it's doors as of 2010.  I still dream of that pasta with artichokes they served on their buffet from time to time.  We miss you, Johnny D's!

13214 Coursey Boulevard

225-756-5552

http://www.boddabing.com

Cuisine Rouge Rating:

4 plates

By: Wesley

There are restaurants with character, and there are characters who own restaurants. Johnny D’s Italian Restaurant & New York Pizza is an interesting mix of both. Mr. Johnny DeAngelo is one person you must meet, even if you never taste his food. He may be a Yankee, but he’s got the heart and friendly demeanor of a southern good-ol-boy. Ok, so I like the guy, so what? Faggetaboutit! Is the food good? Ya better believe it!

The new location is near the Stumberg and Coursey intersection, across from the Benny’s Carwash. The place is decked out in warm terra cotta and brown colors, and fun paintings and fixtures abound. Johnny has overhauled and simplified his menu for his new location, which is a good thing, but I was devastated to learn that my favorite, the White Muffaletta Pizza (#19 in the Top 25), is no longer on the menu. However, that DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T ORDER IT! Just tell Johnny you want one, and you’ll have one!

I started lunch today with a classic New York treat, Buffalo Wings. I had the original HOT, and some BBQ. These aren’t the little dry wings you get at some “wing establishments”; these were made with quality pieces of chicken. They are deep fried and then grilled to give them a delicious crunch and flavorful char. Both flavor wings were bathed in sauce; the HOT was the traditional vinegar flavor, and the BBQ was sweet and spicy. After tasting these wings, I will no longer be satisfied with the dedicated wing emporiums in Baton Rouge.

Now on to the pie! I wanted to try something a little different, so I got the craziest thing I could find, the “Tough Guy.” It’s the “sweep the kitchen” option, with all the meat toppings (except anchovies) and all the veggies, (except jalapeños). Of course, I added the jalapeños, because I actually am a tough guy. I ordered a large (14” $17.99). The pizza featured a delicious crust, not too thin, not too thick and had a delicious contrast of crispy and chewy. I prefer to have more toppings and less dough in my pie, and this was perfect. On the pizza I saw peppers, sausage, chicken, fresh tomatoes, and everything else you can imagine.

So how’d it taste already? It was so good and filling! Each bite was full of flavor, and every topping got fair representation. I only ate two slices, I was just too full from the wings, and this pizza was more than a meal itself. I will have a great breakfast to look forward to tomorrow. I was offered the daily dessert special of spumoni cheesecake, which sounded tasty (I’m a big spumoni fan) but I just couldn’t fit it in. I’ll try to save some room next time.

In conclusion, you must try this place! They have a lunch buffet Sunday through Friday and the owner is a great guy. Check it out, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s probably the best pizza you’ll find in the city, and you won’t leave hungry. Ciao!

The Promised Land - Latte E Miele

Cuisine Rouge Rating:

5 plates

It’s hot outside!  You need a cool treat to fight the heat.  Of course there’s ice cream, or frozen yogurt if you are watching calories.  And there’s frozen custard in our area now, which is much richer but in the opposite direction of frozen yogurt on the calorie chart.  There is another option though that combines the richness of custard with the lower calorie content of the yogurt, called gelato.  The simple definition of gelato is that it is the Italian version of ice cream.  Gelato however, has less air in it than ice cream (which makes it denser and creamier) and it is made with milk rather than cream, making it lower in calories.  Also, gelato is served slightly warmer than ice cream, giving it a semi-frozen consistency that makes it extra smooth.

Of course the problem with gelato is that to get really good, authentic Italian gelato, you have to go to Italy.  True Italian gelato is an art form, and something that is not easily replicated without the long held traditional methods perfect by artisans.  Lucky for us here in Baton Rouge, Latte E Miele has recently opened on Highland Road near I-10, next to the Country Club of Louisiana.

Owner Corrado DiMartino is a native Roman and his nephew Simone Romano is not only a gelato artisan, but was one of the best in Italy before moving to Baton Rouge.  He won the very prestigious Gambero Rosso award, which basically declared his gelato as the best in Italy.

Corrado’s  son Luca also moved to Baton Rouge from Boston to help out with the business, and he describes it as being more akin to a bakery than your typical ice cream shop.  “We make everything fresh, every day”, he told me.  Flavors like strawberry, melon, and the unbelievably delicious pineapple are made from the freshest produce around, picked up every morning from Fresh Pickins, a local produce market.

Every flavor that I sampled (and you can sample as many as you like) was crazy good.  The flavors are so intense and rich that it will make you never want to eat ordinary ice cream again.  For $4 you can get a small cup of two flavors of gelato, like orange chocolate, tiramisu, swirled white chocolate, or banana.  If you’re really hungry for a sweet treat, the $10 sundae is enough to feed 3 people, and comes in a variety of exotic variations.  The signature version features simple cream gelato topped with the freshest seasonal fruit, and drizzled with Louisiana orange blossom honey.

If you’re a coffee lover, take a break from the green and white chain store coffee to have some real, authentic Italian espresso or cappuccino.  Or, get a signature drink that combines a scoop of the gelato topped with a shot of espresso, for the best of both worlds.

Give this place a try.  Not only do they produce one of the most delicious treats you will ever have, they also make it a point to use local ingredients; fresh Louisiana produce from Fresh Pickins market, and milk from Kleinpeter Dairies.

Latte E Miele is open seven days a week, from 10AM to 10:30PM, has wireless Internet connectivity, and will quickly become one very busy place.

Italiano

While Baton Rouge doesn’t have a Little Italy like Chicago, New York, or other larger cities, we do have our fair share of fine Italian eateries.  Here is my take on the many places in town where you can find your favorite Italian foods.

First let’s start with pizza.  Of course we all know the big names, and we all have picked up the phone to order Domino’s, Pizza Hut, or Papa John’s.  But when possible, do yourself a favor and check out the many great alternatives in our area.  California Pizza Kitchen and Kona Grill in Perkins Rowe are great places with good pizza.  They feature a variety of the more modern twists on traditional pizza offerings, like pear and gorgonzola pizza, barbecued chicken pizza, and mango tandoori chicken pizza. If you tastes for pizza are more standard, there’s the Mellow Mushroom near LSU, Rotolo’s in several locations, Buck’s Pizza, Johnny DeAngelo’s, and others.  All of which have good pizza and depending on whom you ask, one of them bests the others.  For me, and many others there is no question that the best pizza around is at Fleur de Lis.  The pink building, square pizza and no credit card policy may turn you off initially, but taste the pizza and you won’t care.  They have been making this great pizza since 1946 when the place opened as a cocktail lounge.

For casual Italian dining, places like Macaroni Grill, Portobella’s, and DeAngelo’s are nice.  There’s also some of the newer Italian chains like Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bravo Cucina Italiana, which are okay, but for me I prefer to stick with the local establishments.  Ruffino’s on Highland is one of my favorites, because in addition to some great Italian dishes, you can get a good steak, or delicious seafood dish.  Gino’s, just off College on Bennington is probably the most authentic Italian cuisine in the city and very nice, a great place for a special occasion.

Of course there are other places not mentioned here, but these are my recommendations, and I would love to hear yours as well.  One final thought, next time you venture out for a nice evening of Italian dining, skip the chain restaurants for once and give a local spot a visit.