Pucker Up

Most of us will have to wait ‘til later this summer to experience John Besh’s celebration of rustic Italian cooking, when Domenica opens in New Orleans’ Roosevelt Hotel.

But those lucky listeners who caught the raucous live radio broadcast on Friday, July 10 with culinary personality, Kevin Jenkins, one of the Atlanta-based duo team also known as “Chef and the Fat Man,” got a delectable sneak preview. And things got even livelier with the special guest appearance of Danny DeVito, lending the enterprise his own particular style of Italian American heritage.

Broadcasting from the Carousel Piano Bar at the legendary Hotel Monteleone, the guys had a high time creating Torta Fritta stuffed with Mortadella and Ricotta Cavatelli with Local San Marzano Tomatoes and a last minute diversion from John Besh celebrating one of his favorite dishes- Shrimp and Grits for the listening public and a spirited audience – including DeVito’s wife, actress Rhea Perlman, who was devotedly snapping away with her camera…

…with good reason! DeVito was in town promoting his new brand of limoncello at New Orleans’ annual Tales of the Cocktails event. During the demo at the Carousel Piano Bar, the diminutive entrepreneur was occasionally engulfed in clouds of liquid nitrogen as he assisted Domenica’s Executive Chef/Partner Alon Shaya in creating Danny DeVito’s Limoncello Sorbetto.

“Oh, are my hands cold!” he quipped with biting restraint. “Just let us know when you can’t feel them anymore,” was Shaya’s sympathetic response, adding “Don’t anyone try this at home!”

DeVito was to only be present for a 15 minutes to meet and great, but ended up staying for the duration of the show [ a full hour]. So who really “Tuned In” to what New Orleans is all about—The Limoncello Man and his ever so funny wife and camera maven who let those good times roll!