Authentic Italian food in Covington, Louisiana. Who would have guessed it? This great little restaurant on the corner of New Hampshire and Boston street is a little gem. From atmosphere to the food, it captures it all. My wife Tracy and I spent the summer in Italy and fell in love with the food. We cried when we had to come home but Del Porto was here for our rescue. You could take this restaurant and plant it in a little town in Italian and you wouldn’t know the difference. You will not find a better meal on the Northshore. If you are reading this article to make sure it is as good as you heard it was, then you need to stop right now and make a reservation. I am serious! This place fills up quickly and you will be very upset if you do not get to try………………… anything on the menu.  Yes, the entire menu is to die for! I can’t wait for the next time I eat at Del Porto because I want to try the next thing on the menu.

Take my advice, order every course. The Europeans have long diners with many courses. This is how Del Porto structures their menu. Just like in Italy have the Anti pasta, salad, 1st course, 2nd course and dessert. Order a bottle of a house recommended Italian wine and enjoy the ride. Believe me when the diner is over and you walk out the door, you will have forgotten you are in Covington.

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants and it is in my backyard.

This is one of my favorite stops in downtown San Diego. It is walking distance from Petco Park home of the San Deigo Padres. What a great setup San Diego has, so many restaurants and bars you couldn’t hit them all in a year. I found Acqua Al 2 because I heard it was the top Italian restaurant in the city. Acqua Al 1 is located in Italy.

This restaurant is frequented by many celebrities and has a very comfortable down to earth feel. They are known for their pasta dishes so I must recommend the Fusille pasta. It is homemade and looks like curly fries. They also serve an amazing fillet covered in a blueberry reduction sauce. You must experience this dish because it is so different and exciting. I could ordered it every time.

This last visit I had their seafood pasta special. Very seasoned, like I love it and satisfying to the last mouth full. For the wine we shared a bottle of a Malbec meritage. It was medium to full body. I wasn’t worried about it over powering the seafood because the seafood was cooked with black olives. Black olives can dominate the taste buds so it helps to have some other big flavors.

I finished the night with an espresso because I had to drive back to Orange County. If you are looking for fine dining and a taste of Italy this is your place in the Gas Lamp District.

All in all I give this restaurant a, “Simply Bellissimo.”

Great location, only a few yards from i-405 and you have the option of valet or self parking in the garage. The elevator takes you from the garage directly into the lobby of the restaurant. Very classy interior. Kitchen is open and restaurant is spacious. White and copper colors create this yacht club feel.

We started the dinner ordering a bottle of a zinfandel, Amador County California, from the waiter who was very well trained and polite. He recommended the Sea Bass saying, “Everyone orders it.” I went for the salmon and it was cooked to my liking of medium rare. Fish was very moist and it sat on a bed of mash potatoes, in a crab sauce with a little cream. I devoured everything and wanted more. It was one of those meals when after the first bite you want to ask the waiter for a shovel so you can finish it off.

Tracy ordered the fillet and it was about an inch and a half thick. It was cooked well for a seafood restaurant. Her green beans and mashed potatoes made the dish. The Zin went more with here meal than mine. We finished the evening with their cheesecake, topped with a variety of berries. The desert was parried with a Bonny Doon desert wine. Very fruity and it went well with the cheesecake.

I highly recommend this restaurant!