Nuvolari's came along at the same time the gourmet bistros were spreading through Uptown New Orleans. It's Italian, but has the same spirit as those across-the-lake innovators. The style has always been fresh and inventive, with as much New Orleans flavor as Italian.
The brick main building is over a century old, for most of that time the general store for Old Mandeville. It was renovated into a restaurant in 1984 by Paul Murphy, the owners of Jacmel Inn in Hammond. Originally Nuvolari's (named for 1930s Italian racecar driver Tazio Nuvolari) was an Italian restaurant, albeit with an inventive, contemporary collection of dishes. Over the years its chefs emphasized Creole cooking in their specials. After the hurricane (which did only a little damage to the restaurant), Nuvolari's reopened with a much shorter menu. It was so well received that they never went back to the old style. The best of the restaurant's signature dishes remained, but now the menu is revised daily.
The split-level main dining room is reminiscent of the concept restaurants of the 1970s, but it has a comfortable, casual style. Wood railings and windowed panels divide the big space into more intimate areas. The second dining room is more modern and formal. The bar--presided over personally by manager Wally Simmons--has its own life force, busy and happy.
The entrees here are of such a size that it's uncomfortable to have two preliminary courses. Check the blackboard near the entrance for wine specials.
| Attitude | 1 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 1 |
| Hipness | 1 |
| Local Color | 2 |
| Service | 2 |
| Value | 1 |
| Wine | 0 |
