Italian foodie found ‘best pasta in America’ in New Orleans. And a ‘terrible’ muffuletta

A viral Italian TikTok foodie known for his often delighted and sometimes horrified reactions to American food and culture recently visited New Orleans to celebrate the anniversary of meeting his wife and sample all the delicious culinary staples the South has to offer.

With his American wife and Tulane grad, Jessi Higgins, as his tour guide, Alessio Pasini stopped by a handful of iconic local restaurants and Louisiana chains, from Hansen’s and Parkway to Raising Cane’s and Popeyes. While Pasini loved a lot of the food New Orleans and Louisiana have to offer, he had some thoughts about our local take on Italian food.

Pasini and Higgins had their first date at the New Orleans Botanical Garden during City Park’s annual Celebration in the Oaks a decade ago. There was a language barrier between the two at the time, so to communicate with each other, Pasini and Higgins pointed at different Christmas light displays and described them in their own languages.

Now, ten years and millions of online followers later, the couple — known for reviewing restaurants on social media — returned to where they first met and rated beloved Mid-City gelato shop Angelo Brocato, the Central Business District’s Creole House Restaurant and Oyster Bar, and French Quarter deli Central Grocery, home of the muffaletta.

Here’s what Pasini thought, though, in some areas, New Orleans locals might beg to differ.

Creole House Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Creole House Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a casual spot on Canal Street that serves New Orleans staples, including Cajun and Creole cuisine. Their menu also offers fusion entrées that combine Italian and Creole foods.

Pasini ordered the restaurant’s jambalaya pasta — fettuccine pasta with shrimp, chicken and smoked sausage tossed in a spicy Creole sauce, and gave it high marks.

“Best pasta in America,” he said.

The TikTok food critic admired that the pasta was not overcooked. While he did not approve of the Parmesan sprinkled on seafood, Pasini was able to overlook the usual “Italian food rules” he lives by to enjoy this unique dish.

Central Grocery

The couple ventured out of Mid-City and went to the French Quarter to try Central Grocery, the creator of the muffuletta sandwich.

Before taking a bite, Pasini criticized the sandwich for being “too greasy” as he kept his fingers a safe distance from the bread soaked in olive oil.

He gave the world-famous sandwich a zero out of 10 and told his followers that the muffuletta is not worth spending $18 on.

“Terrible,” Pasini said.

Angelo Brocato

Angelo Brocato is a family-run Italian bakery and gelato shop that has been loved by locals for over a century. Given the Brocato family’s Sicilian roots, it was only necessary that Pasini gives his take on the store’s authentic desserts.

He tried spumone — a colorful three-layered gelato cake — for the first time ever, with tutti frutti, lemon and pistachio almond flavorings.

“I already know the score,” he said to his wife. “I hate it.”

While the spumone didn’t get Pasini’s nod of approval, he was impressed by the torroncino, a nougat-based gelato with toasted almonds and cinnamon.

Sicilian cassatina is a moist white cake filled with ricotta cheese and topped with a light marzipan shell. Pasini described this dessert as “unbelievable.”

The final dessert was Angelo Brocato’s famous homemade and fresh cannolis. After taking a bite, Pasini said it was good, yet noted that the ricotta cheese filling isn’t on the same level as what is made in Sicily.

Overall, the social media star approved this Mid-City gem.