Rizzuto's Ristorante & Chop House — Restaurant in New Orleans

Last night, I went to Rizzuto’s Ristorante and Chop House and immediately felt like I had walked onto the set of an old Hollywood gangster movie—but, like, the kind where no one gets whacked and everyone just eats really well.

The host greeted me promptly and made me feel like someone important. I’m not. I mean, my mom tells me I’m special every day, but she doesn’t count (please don’t tell her I said that).

My friend and I were fashionably early for our reservation (by a full hour—we were excited, don’t judge), so we parked ourselves at the bar and ordered some drinks. Let me paint a picture: the bar was full of suave, old-school Italian men—the kind who probably have a meatball recipe older than the U.S. Constitution. Immediately, I knew: we were about to eat GOOD.

As we sat at the bar, waiters floated by with plates of food that smelled like sin and salvation all at once. I was eyeing each table, staring at their dishes like a hungry lioness about to pounce. I was probably making diners uncomfortable, but I didn’t care—I was salivating like a rabid dog with every plate that passed me.

The two bartenders were charming and funny. I could’ve people-watched for hours. The staff’s banter, the sass, the subtle shade—I swear, this place needs a reality show. Imagine if The Sopranos married Vanderpump Rules and had a spicy little Bravo baby. “Rizzuto’s After Dark.” You heard it here first. If it gets picked up, I get a cut!

From here on out, I’m eating at the bar. It felt cozy, personable, and—let’s be real—I’m nosey and live for juicy gossip and good people-watching.

When our table was finally ready, I almost didn’t want to leave the action. But I’m glad I did, because the crab cake appetizer changed my life. I’m not even exaggerating. Most crab cakes taste like breadcrumbs held together by lies. Not here. Rizzuto’s crab cake was pure lump crab meat—golden and crisp on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Sent directly from the seafood gods. I can no longer order crab cakes anywhere else. They’ve ruined me in the best way possible.

My friend got the fettuccine Alfredo, which they made table-side in a cheese wheel. Because apparently, Rizzuto’s said, “Let’s make pasta sexy.” It was pasta porn- rich, creamy, and hands-down the best Alfredo I’ve ever tasted. I seriously contemplated whacking my friend on the head just to steal his plate. But as a nurse, I took an oath to do no harm, so I pushed that thought aside. I’ll just have to order it next time (and keep my morals intact).

For my entrée, I went with the Veal Parmesan. Now listen—I’ve had veal before. Usually, it’s as tough as a leather shoe and about as flavorful. But this? It was glorious. Perfectly fried with a delicate, golden crust, and so tender I got concerned. Like… how is this even legal? Are they massaging the calves? Reading them bedtime stories? Is there voodoo involved? I don’t know—and I don’t care. It was divine. I had a full Ratatouille flashback moment at the table.

Now, when it comes to red gravy, I am a tough critic (and yes, it’s gravy, NOT sauce—don’t argue with me). My grandparents were from Sicily, and every Sunday we’d gather at their house in the Irish Channel for spaghetti and meatballs. So I know real gravy. Rizzuto’s version? It was rich, savory, and beautifully balanced—not too sweet, not too bitter. It tasted like love and patience. Just like my grandma’s. She would 100% approve.

We finished with the chocolate chip gelato, which was smoother than a Frank Sinatra love song. Creamy, flavorful, and the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Rizzuto’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a culinary dream. I don’t know what kind of kitchen witchcraft is going on back there—black magic? Italian nonnas chained to stoves? Some kind of parmesan-powered spell? Whatever it is, it works.

10/10. Would eat again. Would move in if...

As of Oct. 12: Michelle finally got back with me and says someone at the restaurant was supposed to have called me back the week before. She left a gift card for half the original bill at the restaurant for me to pick up. Will give another shot— but might try the Gretna location instead.

Latest as of Oct. 8: I called and spoke with the manager, Michelle, on Sept. 30, the day after our horrible visit. She took my number and said she would call me back with an explanation. A whole week later, I called back because I had not heard from her. I left a voicemail and my number again. I still have yet to hear back from Michelle or anyone at the restaurant to make this right.

From Sept. 29: Our reservation for 2 people was for 7pm. It was Thursday and not at all busy, as there were empty tables everywhere. We had to find our waitress (who we barely saw because her energy was focused on a larger table) and actually ask where our food was two hours later at 9pm. The moment we asked where our food was, she went to the kitchen and returned with it.

Almost everything was lukewarm. You can tell the seafood lasagna had been sitting out because the sauce had set and hardened. The truffle fries were inedible as they were cold and soggy. I sent them back and had her re-heat the lasagna. She offered to bring me a new one, but at that point— we’d been there for two hours and were starving.

We watched as three other tables, which all arrived *after we received our appetizer, get their food and LEAVE before we even got our entrees.

The moment our food finally arrived, so did the food for the large table our waitress had her energy focused on. I wonder how that table of 8, which didn’t arrive until an hour after us, received their food at the same time as us? When our order was given almost an hour earlier.

We received no explanation for our late food. No offers to make up for the excruciating long wait as we watched others come and go. (In the first phone call to manager, Michelle offered us to come back, but I assume that was just all talk to save face since I haven’t heard back.)

To add to our miserable time.. We had to wait 30 minutes for our check. 30 minutes we were sitting at our empty table drumming our fingers while our waitress was nowhere to be found. As a table of two, we were at this restaurant for THREE HOURS.. And only actually ate for about 20 minutes of that time. For a bill over $250, this treatment and food quality is...

I must start by saying that Tony Angelo's--the previous restaurant located here-- was a personal favorite that never disappointed. The staff were well versed in the menu and prided themselves on professionalism and client satisfaction. My experience at Rizzuto's, however, was vastly different than my many good experiences at Tony's. Aside from the atmosphere--which is very nice--my friend and I were greatly disappointed. From the moment we entered, our troubles began. The seating hostess’ appearance was tawdry, and her over application of makeup made her more suited for a career in escorting than in the restaurant industry. That being said, she was also very rude. We had made a reservation online, which she argued the merits of for five minutes. The restaurant had twenty tables available, so no reservation should have been needed. Finally, she became, with no small effort on my part, aware of this fact and seated us. Once seated, we ordered an appetizer; it was fulfilling, but not anything I would order again. Then we placed our entree orders. I ordered the brisket salad, and my friend ordered the chicken. Fifteen minutes later, our waiter arrives and tells me that 'the kitchen just informed [him] that [they] are out of brisket.' Anyone in the restaurant business--or who cooks-- knows that it takes around twelve hours to prepare brisket. Given that it was noon, I can infer that they didn't cook it the night before; therefore, our waiter should have known this prior to me ordering, and, furthermore, it shouldn't have taken fifteen minutes to correct his misinformation. He tried to console me by getting me to order another entree; I refused. Come to think of it, he offered no apology for taking his time to get me that message. I, however, informed him promptly that nothing else on the menu was of interest to me. Perhaps, had the owner himself come to my table and assured me that I would not incur anymore suffering from ordering another entree, I may have done so. But that didn't happen. Service, to me, is just as important as the quality of the food. The service here is atrocious. The staff are impolite, haughty, and most of all distasteful. I will not be back, nor would I recommend it to anyone who expects adequate service and to get the entree...