Our video series “Eating with Ian” has been a great way to introduce my colleague Chelsea Shannon to a wide range of restaurants. This time we’re headed to the North Shore to Del Porto Ristorante.
When people ask me for an upscale North Shore lunch recommendation, I know they’ll love Del Porto. The weekday happy hour is scene too, with good deals on wine and enough food on special to assemble a full meal.
The windows frame views of downtown Covington, which is changing fast these days. But Del Porto has been consistent through two decades. You’re here for regional Italian food that’s seasonal, fresh and a nice change from the Creole Italian standard.
Writers Ian McNulty and Chelsea Shannon share a meal at Del Porto Restaurant in Covington on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
(Photo by Chris Granger The Times-Picayune)The antipasti board is a great way to start, grazing through the cured meats and cheeses with lots of extras, and the fritto misto is a crispy mix of fried seafood and vegetables. And at lunch, you can pair it with a select bottle of wine for the price of the board itself.
Golden beets were a seasonal stand in for tomatoes on a Caprese salad, and we split a pizza with shrimp and candied jalapeños with a nice chewy crust.
The lamb ragu pasta has been a specialty here from the start, and the daily fish was seared drum with a harvest of vegetables and a dash of blood orange.
Blood orange also bloomed in a seasonal fruit martini, and returned at dessert for an upside down cake with a wonderful moist texture.
Torre and David Solazzo started their Italian restaurant Del Porto in 2002 and have developed it into a mainstay for downtown Covington. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
- (Photo by Chris Granger The Times-Picayune)
We needed a boost after this big lunch and affogato of espresso over ice cream was just the thing. It was tempting to just stay through dinner, and on Friday afternoons some people do just that.
But we were off. After all, our “Eating with Ian” series has a lot more to cover. Subscribe to our newsletter Where NOLA Eats and you can follow along.
501 E. Boston St., Covington, (985) 875-1006
Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat., happy hour Tue.-Fri. 5-6 p.m.
