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    Sofia

    4.4 (648 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Services - Sofia

    Venue rental

    Sofia Photos

    Business Info

    SOFIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Sofia

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    Reviews With Photos

    short rib pasta
    Rob P.

    Arriving late into NoLa on a cold Sunday night and my buddy and I wanted to grab a quick dinner but most of the NoLa resturants I had marked were closing at 9pm. Sofia was open til 10pm so we popped in there around 8:30pm. Glad we did, as we were one of the last parties taken as they decided to close a little early. We split a pizza called The Spicy ($24) which was absolutely great. We almost got the marghareta and I wish we would have since the crust and cheese were perfect it really didn't even need any toppings. We wanted a protein so split the short rib pasta ($30) which we were a little less than impressed with. Again, the noodles were excellent but the dish just seemed to be a saucy mess overall. Didn't love the unexpected 4% kitchen appreciation fee on my check but I will say the service was good and I'd come back here regardless.

    Karina U.

    I had the beet salad, a GF pizza and a GF pasta and everything was delicious and well cooked. Highly recommend the short rib pasta dish!

    Shrimp Toast
    Shanita F.

    I only gave this place a 4-star review because the pasta was bland for my taste and the complimentary birthday dessert was soooo dry, I could've been eating chalk with icing for less sugar :/ anyways, everything else that hit the table was firrrrreeeee! That shrimp toast is an absolute must! The bread was sooooo soft and delicious! The shrimp was so perfect, and ghe little garnishment on the top was a nice touch. It was great and I will be back for that appetizer specifically! The pizza was also really good! It does have a bunch of crust, but it's soft and not tough like some dough can be. Unfortunately, they pesto pasta was missing something (other than protein lol). It was missing a flavor (other than pesto). I couldn't eat much of it. Also, they gave me a complimentary birthday cake and lit the candle! It was such a nice gesture! I hate to admit it, but that cake wasn't good at all. But hey, it was free! They have ice cream from Creole Creamery on their dessert menu, and you get two scoops. The ice cream, of course, was really good. As for decor, this place is a beautiful spot to celebrate any occasion or to have a nice dinner. I'll definitely be back! Especially because they waiter was super attentive and friendly! My glass of water barely got low before she brought me another glass. She went above and beyond! I can't remember her name though...smh

    Ashley S.

    Solid Italian spot. Visited this place once when it opened years ago, and again this week. It has definitely improved! Everything we had tasted well, from the kale salad to the mushroom pizza (sub red sauce base!) to the two plates of pasta we sampled. Everything is served family style, so be prepared to share!

    Margherita Pizza
    Sharyse W.

    Sophia's was by FAR my favorite restaurant in my trip to New Orleans. It's a nice break from the classic creole foods! We ordered 3 dishes for 2 and still had some left overs! Ambiance and decor are great especially with the large pizza oven in the corner! What we ordered: - Margarita Pizza (5/5) - a thin crust simple but well done pizza! It was great but just not a stand out compared to the other items. - Kale Beet Salad (6/5) - INSANELY GOOD salad oh my goodness!! I don't even love beets but I think I do now? The kale was soft, shredded well, cheese was shaved thin and beets were soft. The apple dressing was also DELICIOUS! Highly recommend. - Pesto Pasta (6/5) - ALSO DELICIOUS! I love a good pesto and this did NOT disappoint! It's nutty, rich, and herby. The pasta shape is fun and carries all that cheese and sauce so well. I will 100% recommend my friends to come to Sophia and will return when I'm back in NOLA.

    The Spicy Pizza
    Nandi A.

    Outstanding service! I came here with a large party during Mardi Gras and our waiter was super attentive with excellent communication. Our riders were taken and received very promptly. The food was good, I would recommend the Bianca pizza. The touch of rosemary is outstanding and definitely makes the pizza. All the other was good was just okay to me. The focaccia that comes with the ricotta is outstanding but the ricotta itself was bland in my opinion. A few people at my table ordered the vodka pasta and gave it a 10/10 though.

    Pasta and Pizza
    Michelle M.

    The food and service are perfection! We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Sofia. We had a pizza and pasta dish and it was plenty for 2 to share.

    Prudence M.

    Really enjoyed the food and vibes here. My only regret is not having time to eat here again during my visity to New Orleans! Next time. Note that it's walking distance from the convention center on a street with cool establishments to peek in to on the way. Also note, a seat at the bar in the back allows you a view of the chefs making pizza from scratch. The restaurant has a Sofia Lauren theme although I forget what connection the owners have to her. Anyway, try the shrimp! (See pic.)

    House Ricotta
    Yumi H.

    These were two apps that were delicious. The beet salad was refreshing with a vinaigrette and salty from the walnuts. Service was a little slow but it was peak hours. Ambiance was romantic and cozy. Definitely would return.

    Piccante -  san marzano tomato | pepperoni | hot peppers | ricotta | crispy kale | honey | pecorino
    Ashley M.

    What a gem of a find! My coworker and I stumbled upon Sofia after reading the positive reviews while we were craving pizza. I'm so glad I found this restaurant as we've come back a couple of times since and it's quickly becoming a local favorite of mine. PRO TIP: When at all possible, make a reservation! If you don't have a reservation, be prepared to wait any day of the week. The atmosphere of Sophia is always busy and bustling without being incredibly overwhelming. I love the cool, casual feel of the restaurant and the larger group tables are perfect for catching up with friends over some delicious Italian food. My first experience here there were only bar seats available and that was a great experience as well. Here are some of the dishes I've tried: - Polpette: pork | brisket | pancetta | amatriciana | parmesan - Arancini: taleggio | truffle | black pepper | pecorino fonduta - Piccante: san marzano tomato | pepperoni | hot peppers | ricotta | crispy kale | honey | pecorino - Ragu: tagliatelle | duck | white wine | thyme | lemon zest - Bruxelles: brussel sprouts | caesar | pecorino | black pepper - Kale: beets | parmesan | hazelnuts | apple shrub vinaigrette My absolute favorite, favorite thing here and the reason why you MUST dine here is the Piccante pizza. It is phenomenal. However, I will warn you that I've had this pizza when it was cooked perfectly and also when it was not the best -- perhaps based on your luck? It will be either the best thing you've ever eaten or you will think I'm a bit crazy for rating this pizza so high. The combination of flavors, the roasted kale, the contrast of spicy, tart, sweet --- to die for! A close second favorite is the duck Ragu. It is such a unique medley of flavors in a pasta dish you would not expect. Definitely worth a try! Service here seems to be a hit-or-miss and I've not once been blown away by the service. However, the food is worth it. Definitely worth a visit!

    Guadalupe D.

    This was THE best place my friends and I tried while visiting NOLA from Los Angeles. The food and appetizers were fabulous. The toast and cheese was so good, my friends and I joked how we hope we can find something even close in LA. The salad was also so well dressed and zesty. All our mains were fire as well. Waitstaff were sweet and attentive. Would absolutely recommend this place, especially if you're visiting from out of town!

    Pesto
    Juliette M.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Sofia is a modern Italian that never disappoints. I'd recommend getting reservations because it is usually busy. My favorite dish is the alla vodka, but the pesto pasta is amazing too! I need to try their pizza as well. I sat next to the kitchen and witnessed for myself the fresh and quality ingredients they use. The restaurant is pretty open with plenty of seating. They also have sidewalk seating outside. The service is always excellent, helpful, and friendly! Will be back!

    Squid Ink Pasta
    Hannah S.

    This place is great!! We were 9 people, and they were very accommodating. To start, we all got cocktails and two of the ricotta appetizers. This was fantastic!! The ricotta was creamy and had the best flavor paired with the delicious focaccia. We had a mix of pastas and pizzas. Everyone loved their dishes! I got the squid ink pasta which had the perfect kick. If you like some spice, you will love this!! The sauce was creamy and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. When you walk in, there's big a bar area. Our waiters were very nice and helpful with a big party. I will definitely be back!!

    Panna Cotta

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    Christy was a fantastic server! Great service and great food. Favorite was the ricotta!

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    7 months ago

    Excellent food! Everything we ordered was truly delicious. Ricotta, kale salad, alla vodka and pizza were so good!

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    7 months ago

    Food was great but I think I left my credit card there. Called FOUR times and never received a return call. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

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    Page 3 of 17

    Sofia Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sofia

    Do they still have outdoor tables? *clarifying* - please say when you were there. Need info for 2023. Thanks yelpers!

    I didn’t see any tables outside. No one was being waited on outside the night I went.

    What kind of gluten free crust do they use? It is dairy free also?

    Do I need to book a table for 6 or could we walk in?

    You should definitely book a reservation or go very early. They fill up quickly!

    Is there a dress code for lunch?

    There is no dress code here.

    Is there a corkage and if so, how much is it?

    Is there a happy hour?

    Yes! All day Wednesday

    View All 10 Questions

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    Domenica - Clam & Margherita pizza

    Domenica

    4.1(2.3k reviews)
    0.6 miCentral Business District
    $$$

    Very upscale Italian restaurant…read more FOOD: Delicious but very rich and filling. I had their lasagna and it was very unique, it wasn't your traditional lasagna as the pasta noodles were green and it had some other unique flavors going on but we liked it. AMBIANCE: The perfect ambience really. I can't stand going to a restaurant for dinner and it is bright lighting but this was absolutely perfect. Not too light and not dark. The perfect in between. Music was nice and appropriate and the interior decor was very upscale. Like if I was to ever to open a restaurant this decor would be my inspiration. ENTERTAINMENT: N/A SERVICE: Great service from our waiter and other staff floating in the area. The receptionist/hostess are is nice but the hostesses themselves could be a bit more welcoming. DRESS CODE: Business casual to smart casual. I wouldn't dress bummy in here or with a sweatshirt or hoodies or anything like that. *YELP ELITE REVIEW DISCLAIMER: These opinions and experiences are my own and may not reflect other's experiences and views of the establishment. I will always provide true, factual & unbiased reviews.*

    The good : the place has a great vibe. Sound level good it is nice to go to a restaurant where I…read morecan hear. The design is wonderful. The wait staff was right there no wait for drink orders or placing order for dinner. We were going to the theater across the street very convenient to park, eat and walk across the street good location. The mediocre : The food choices we made. Since it is Lent we chose to eat seafood no meat. The black squid's ink was fishy tasting and flat. You may get a tablespoon of lump crab. I did dip my pizza crust into the sauce to finish the dish. Chile oil on table was wonderful. We ordered a margarita pizza , I found the cheese chewy and cold. The tomato sauce was a bit on the acidic side and for me could have been cooked to a mellower flavor. I am not going to lie there are far better cheaper places to get much better pies. The dessert. The cannolis were a disappointment. I even ask the girl to let the chef know the skins were tuff. Hard time breaking them apart with the spoon we were given. The expresso over vanilla ice cream ,with biscuits was excellent. There are so many better restaurants in New Orleans. I would skip and find somewhere where the food is above average .

    Photos
    Domenica - Cheers to NOLA!!

    Cheers to NOLA!!

    Domenica - Squid Ink Tagliolini

    Squid Ink Tagliolini

    Domenica - Brussels Sprouts

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    Vincent's Italian Cuisine

    Vincent's Italian Cuisine

    4.4(930 reviews)
    3.8 miEast Carrollton
    $$

    The food was delicious! Wait staff was very friendly, professional and attentive! And the…read moreatmosphere was welcoming and friendly.

    A Perfect "Old-School Meets NOLA" Date Night…read more If you are looking for a true "date night" atmosphere where you aren't treated like just another table number, Vincent's Italian Cuisine is a gem. Having grown up eating in New York's Italian stalwarts and traveling through Italy, I'm often skeptical, but Vincent's manages to strike a beautiful balance. It captures that authentic, old school Sicilian vibe without ever feeling tacky, all while maintaining a distinct Southern charm and New Orleans flavor. The Ambiance & Service The ambiance was exactly what we were looking for!! It was intimate, welcoming, and intentional. A huge part of that experience was our waiter, Greg. He was incredibly hospitable and kind, making us feel genuinely cared for throughout the evening. The Food The food quality overall was excellent. We ordered: The Pork Chop: This was the absolute star of the night. I would order this again in a heartbeat. It was perfectly prepared and full of flavor. Crab and Shrimp Linguine: The seafood was fresh and the linguine is clearly homemade. Wine Selection: They have a lovely wine list that paired beautifully with the meal. A Note on Texture & Coffee My only critique for the kitchen would be the pasta texture. As someone who prefers a firm bite, the pasta here leans much softer. While homemade pasta is softer, the penne was a little too soft for my liking. We specifically requested our side of penne be prepared al dente, but it still arrived quite soft. If you are a die hard fan of firm pasta, just be aware of the house style. I did not mind it much once it did come because everything else was perfection. We finished the night with a slice of chocolate cake, which was delicious. However, the coffee was a bit of a letdown. It felt a little watered down and could definitely be stronger to match the richness of the dessert. Final Verdict Despite the softer pasta and the mild coffee, I will absolutely be returning to Vincent's. The hospitality and the quality of the main courses make it a standout. I'm already looking forward to trying more of the menu! The hostess was also a real gem and so warm. THANK YOU!

    Photos
    Vincent's Italian Cuisine
    Vincent's Italian Cuisine - Bracialoni Balls

    Bracialoni Balls

    Vincent's Italian Cuisine - House wine

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    House wine

    Napoleon House - Our Specialty Italian Muffuletta and Jambalaya

    Napoleon House

    4.1(2.1k reviews)
    0.8 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    Great Muffaletta and Cubanos here!!!…read more We came in to try their legendary Muffaletta on a weekday morning. Getting there about 5 mins before they opened, there was one couple in line in front of us waiting for them to open. Once they opened, we were immediately seated. They have a nice menu loaded with all the typical NOLA favs. We opted for a half order of their Muffaletta and a Cubano as well as a side of red beans & rice. Their red beans & rice was tasty! Nice texture and flavor. The Muffaletta was really good! Loved the warm, soft, fresh bread... I believe they make it there. The meats and the olive spread were so very fresh and tasty too. The Cubano was a fav as well... made so nicely and packed with flavor too. Their Cuban bread was spot-on as well. Service was great! The venue it made to look and feel dated, as if period and it definitely looked and felt that way. Pricing was decent. Overall, definitely worth a visit!

    Our experience at the Napoleon House was fantastic from start to finish. The atmosphere was classic…read moreNew Orleans--historic, charming, and full of character service was alright. In all fairness it was a busy night. We started with the charcuterie board featuring alligator sausage, pâté, salami, blue cheese, Irish porter cheese, smoked gouda, cornichons, tomato jam, Creole mustard, and crostini, and everything was flavorful and perfectly paired. The warm Italian Muffuletta was another highlight, loaded with ham, Genoa salami, pastrami, Swiss, provolone, and olive salad on fresh seeded Italian bread. Absolutely delicious and a must-try when visiting. To finish, we had the Chocolate Doberge Cake, which was rich, decadent, and the perfect ending to the meal. Great food, unique ambiance, and authentic New Orleans charm. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the city.

    Photos
    Napoleon House - Front dining room

    Front dining room

    Napoleon House - Italian Muffuletta (quarter size) with a side of jambalaya.

    Italian Muffuletta (quarter size) with a side of jambalaya.

    Napoleon House - Pimm's flight

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    Pimm's flight

    Adolfo's - Baby Clams with Marinara Sauce

    Adolfo's

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    1.5 miMarigny
    $$$

    The tiny restaurant is located next to the spotted cat club and local art fare. We were hungry for…read moregood local food, and this hit the spot. You go up a steep staircase to tell the guy you want a table and he says he'll call/text when it's available. The food was delicious... especially the entrees. We started with an appetizer of mussels. These were small so there wasn't really enough for us each to be satisfied. Someone thought they were slightly overcooked. We ordered the flounder special with ocean sauce. The double flounder was topped with shrimp and wow, the special cajun ocean sauce was delicious! They said they are known for it and it's understandable why. My kiddo ordered the veal (with ocean sauce) and it was perfectly tender and also delicious. We also ordered the chicken parmesan which was very good as well. It took a while for the food to get to us but given the level of expertise by the chefs, it totally made up for any delay. All of the entrees come with either salad or pasta which hits the spot and is coursed very well. There is a bar downstairs where they had live music which was nice but not exactly what we wanted to listen to. Glad we went to dinner there because of all the amazing flavors. Had a great first night in the French Quarter of New Orleans due in large part to Adolfo's .

    Warning to others, the marinara is spicy! It's our own fault because we didn't realize it was…read morecreole style Italian. Service was slow probably because there wasn't an empty table in the house. Due to the limited seating, it's very crowded and loud inside hard to hear the person sitting right across from you. High priced

    Photos
    Adolfo's - Interior

    Interior

    Adolfo's - Bread

    Bread

    Adolfo's - Upstairs dining room

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    Upstairs dining room

    Mona Lisa Restaurant - Spinach dip

    Mona Lisa Restaurant

    4.1(651 reviews)
    1.3 miFrench Quarter
    $$

    Such a delicious meal for a girls' night out! We had an amazing waiter, and the ambiance is exactly…read morewhat you'd hope for in the Quarter. We started with bottles of wine and sparkly beverages, not to mention the bruschetta and garlic cheesy bread. The only sad part about the cheesy garlic bread is that I wish there was more! We then moved on to chicken parmesans and some other fabulous pasta dish that I don't remember (again, bottles of wines). From there, we were easily convinced to do dessert - chocolate cake, cheesecake, and limoncello cake! Again, you would not have heard one complaint for our table (except maybe being too full??)! I can't wait to go back and sample more of the menu. *chef's kiss*

    Spare yourself the disappointment and pass on Mona Lisa…read more I'm a server in New Orleans and have been in the hospitality industry my whole life - so trust me when I say that this place is a joke. I eat just about anything. I don't shy away from Taco Bell, or even gas station food but I also frequent high end restaurants. I'd rather eat McDonald's over Mona Lisa. The only decent aspect of my meal was the decor in the restaurant. Even the server was short and cold. The food at Mona Lisa is all low quality frozen stuff that they buy from restaurant depot. It was all bland and boring. I would say that at-best the food is mediocre but edible. It feels to me like an elevated Cici's pizza in there. Being in a city that's known for having amazing food and great restaurants - do yourself a favor and pick literally any other restaurant over this place. There's no shortage of amazing Italian restaurants - Irene's, Paladar 511, Pulcinella!, and Giana are just a few other options. I would be embarrassed if I was the owner of this establishment.

    Photos
    Mona Lisa Restaurant - Other side of dining room

    Other side of dining room

    Mona Lisa Restaurant - Spinach artichoke dip

    Spinach artichoke dip

    Mona Lisa Restaurant - Inside

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    Inside

    Gianna Restaurant - Rigatoni Alla Amatriciana

    Gianna Restaurant

    4.2(406 reviews)
    0.1 miWarehouse District
    $$$

    At the recommendation of the very helpful woman at the desk of the Ogden Museum, we had lunch at…read moreGianna on a cold, windy late December day. And it was great! We started with soup of course. Perfect on a cold day. And tasty. She had tagliatelle with funghi. I had spaghetti with aglio e olio. We were both delighted with our choices. Service was great. The space is beautiful. Gianni is owned by the same group that owns Pêche and Herbsaint, two of our favorite NOLA restaurants.

    Service was 10/10. Our waiters were Jacob and Steven (hopefully this is the correct spelling). Both…read morewere very nice and had great suggestions. Never once had to ask for re-fills or anything else. By the time I noticed my drink was empty, they were placing another one on the table. Marinated Beets - 9.1 Ciabatta Bread - 7.5 Kale & Brussels Salad - 8.2 Spaghetti (Olive Oil Based) - 6 Short Rib Bolognese - 9.8 Drum - 9.2 Butterscotch Budino - 8.8 The marinated beets paired with burrata, almonds and fresh citrus was excellent. It nearly made a perfect bite of food. The different textures and flavor profiles complimented each other greatly. The bread was okay, I have had many complimentary breads that were better. Kale & Brussel salad was very tasty. It was paired with a lemon/anchovy vinaigrette and thin sliced red onions. I believe the greens could have handled a thicker dressing and could have also used a sweet note, such as pomegranate. Spaghetti - It wasn't traditionally which is something we knew and wanted to pair with the drum. It was okay. I have had pasta with simple ingredients that were fantastic but this didn't hit that mark. It's the only thing I wish we wouldn't have ordered. Bolognese - Incredible!!! My Wife loves Bolognese so it is a dish we typically try when we go on vacation and restaurants known for their bolognese. This bolognese was compromised of short rib and pancetta. The beef flavor hit you over the head in the best way possible. Top 5 bolognese we have ever had for sure. Drum - Can't recall whether it was baked, seared or both. However, the crust was amazing and held up although it was served in a very delicious broth. It was paired with capers and fennel. Butterscotch Budino Dessert - I hate I didn't get a photo. My Wife doesn't like butterscotch however, we took a chance on this after the waiter strongly suggested it. It didn't disappoint. It was described as a pudding like dessert however, it was thicker. The consistency and mouth feel were a lot better than pudding. Service - 10/10 Food - 7.8/10 I would give this place on yelp 4.5 stars however, you can rate with whole stars.

    Photos
    Gianna Restaurant - Bar area

    Bar area

    Gianna Restaurant - Spicy sausage provola

    Spicy sausage provola

    Gianna Restaurant - Lasagna

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    Lasagna

    The Italian Barrel - Spaghetti Aglio Olio Peperoncino with garlic, red pepper flakes, and extra virgin olive oil.

    The Italian Barrel

    3.8(699 reviews)
    1.3 miFrench Quarter
    $$$

    Christmas Eve dinner. Sat outside, our food, filet and veal meatball spaghetti were delicious…read more The service, owners attention and ambiance, top notch. Such a special evening, will be back.

    I would caution solo diners before dining here…read more After reviewing reservations on OpenTable, I called to confirm that outdoor seating for dinner was the only option. The host was firm, sharing "we are fully booked this evening, only {heated} outdoor seating is available" I decided I'd walk by the restaurant just to see if a bar seat was made available and the server shared "Awww I'm so sorry, the last two bar seats were just taken", after a few taps on the iPad screen. I asked if I could be sat outside & he said "yes". I kindly advised him I'd like to book my reservation on OpenTable so I could get my Opentable points. I stepped outside added a credit card to the reservation and miraculously bar seating was available. I waited 15 minutes, went back inside and acted brand new. And guess what ..... I was sat at the bar. The host kinda smirked and said "oh yes". As if he perhaps had remembered a previous dialogue. I watched every other guest be treated differently. When seating guests, the host gladly removed the reserved sign, asked what type water they would prefer & offered exemplary service, even stepping behind the bar to assist those newly sat guests. I on the other hand sat with my menu the entire meal, the brass reserved sign was never removed and I truly felt forgotten. Sitting with empty bread basket, finished & empty {lasagna} plate. The meal was delicious & the bartender needed extra hands. The experience didn't feel very welcoming. The owner of the restaurant jumped behind the bar to assist with washing glassware. At the very end of my meal as I was waiting for my check to be closed out, he asked if I was finished with the menu. I jokingly said "many moons ago". Something just felt very off - and the only conclusion was: I was dining alone. I quietly departed.

    Photos
    The Italian Barrel - Exposed brick, white tablecloths, and warm lighting in our French Quarter dining room.

    Exposed brick, white tablecloths, and warm lighting in our French Quarter dining room.

    The Italian Barrel - Veal Piccata with lemon-caper butter, white wine sauce, and seasonal vegetables.

    Veal Piccata with lemon-caper butter, white wine sauce, and seasonal vegetables.

    The Italian Barrel - Dining room

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    Dining room

    Sofia - italian - Updated May 2026

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