Brutto Americano

This review is mainly a heads up for guests at The Barnett Hotel, which the restaurant is attached to and shares a lobby with. My husband and I just stayed for 5 days in NOLA at the Barnett. We ordered from Brutto Americano 3 times. The first night we stayed (Sunday), we had dinner and drinks in the restaurant and it was 7/10 on taste, presentation and service, though price was on the higher side. We had a male waiter who was kind and when asked if we could take our tiramisu dessert to go, he did not hesitate and brought our dessert nicely packaged for us to enjoy in our room. Monday morning, we were quite tired from traveling so we figured we would eat breakfast in. I called down to place an order “to go” so we could eat and enjoy our slow morning in our room. When I asked to place an order to pick up, the lady who answered the phone just said “we don’t do that here”, and when I asked for clarification, she said they don’t do “to go” orders. So I hung up and went about my day, understanding that it’s a new restaurant and perhaps new staff still training who maybe misunderstood a policy. No big deal. But seriously, what kind of restaurant, especially one that is IN A HOTEL, does not let you order something in a to go box to eat in your room, five floors up? Wednesday morning, we decided to eat breakfast in the restaurant. The food was above average, and as we finished up, our waitress asked if we would like to take our remaining food to go and offered us a box. (In case you didn’t catch on yet, two servers have now offered us to take our food to go after eating IN the restaurant). Wednesday night (last night 5/7/25), I decided I’d walk down and order another tiramisu to go because it was good and I was craving something sweet. I approached the hostess booth and asked politely to pay for a tiramisu to go. Once again, I get a “you can’t do that here” and I asked why and explained that I had taken my dessert to go a few nights before after our dinner there. And she told me they allowed it because we had eaten in the restaurant. I told her we had dined in again that morning and that I just wanted to have some dessert in my room. She rolled her eyes and huffed as she told me she’d go her her manager (who I didn’t even ask to speak to, mind you) to tell me why I couldn’t order a dessert to eat in my room. I wait about 5 minutes and the manager comes up to me and says that they “typically don’t allow anything to be purchased for take out” and I explained that other than the fact that I wasn’t sitting at one of their tables, I was a guest at the connected hotel and not some random person coming in off the street to order something to go. She then gave me a silly excuse of “well the tiramisu doesn’t travel well”. I said back to her that it traveled up the elevator 5 floors just fine a few nights before and that I would like to order it regardless. She made some comment about how “as long as (I) was fine with it not traveling well” that they would put the order in for me. I paid my $14 dollars for my tiramisu and she brought it out to me and I went on my way. So, if you’re a guest, don’t anticipate on having any level of convenience of a restaurant inside your hotel unless you’re happy to sit at a table and not in the comfort of your own space Also. Be wary that they have an additional 3% up charge on their menu that is “supplementary” to go towards the wage and health care of their kitchen staff? With prices that high, you shouldn’t need to add an additional 3% to everyone’s check to pay your cooks a living wage and give them health insurance. Very “high end” spot, huh? Lastly, a photo of my tiramisu. It traveled up the elevator and into my room just fine.

When we made the reservation for Saturday lunch and walked in, it was empty. Not a single guest was there and that made us feel anxious. After having our meal, I understood why the restaurant was empty…

We came here for an impromptu Saturday dinner. The service was exceptional! The staff, genuine and attentive. We found the drinks well crafted and the food, both exciting and tasty. I recommend the Seared Scallop dish. I definitely found myself trying to scoop up every drop of the delicious broth with a spoon! Also save room for a cup of coffee and dessert!

Brutto Americano is an absolute gem! The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between modern and inviting, where a beautiful bar sets the tone for what to expect from the kitchen. The menu is creative and includes flavorful classic like the spicy rigatoni with a bold and elevated sauce. Every plate we tried (and there were 6 of us) had excellent portions and flavors. The cocktails were equally impressive, thoughtfully crafted and dangerously easy to enjoy :) Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Brutto Americano has definitely earned its spot as a standout in the local dining scene. With so many dining options, Brutto is a must try!

Absolutely incredible dining experience! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was perfect – warm, inviting, and just the right amount of buzz. The service was impeccable, attentive without being intrusive. Now, for the food: the hanger steak was, without a doubt, the star of the show. Cooked to absolute perfection, tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor – easily the best I've had in a long time. We also indulged in the mussels, and they were perfectly cooked, swimming in a rich, flavorful broth that we couldn't get enough of. For dessert we had the tiramisu. It was a dreamy, creamy, coffee-infused masterpiece, the ideal sweet ending to a fantastic meal. This restaurant has truly mastered the art of fine dining. I can't recommend it highly enough and am already looking forward to my next visit!

I haven’t eaten here yet. But I walked by and it smelled so incredible that I took this photo so I wouldn’t forget to make a reservation the next time I’m in NOLA. It. Smelled. That. Good.

Genuinely some of the best italian food I have had. Israel was a great server and the server assistant with the septum piercing was amazing as well!! Very knowledgeable staff. They knew exactly how all the dishes were cooked and answered all of our questions.

We went to Brutto for a friend’s birthday and had the best time. The whole evening was just fun from start to finish. The restaurant had a really great energy and the food was delicious. I ordered the chicken, which was so good and not too heavy for a night out. After dinner, we stayed for drinks at the hotel bar. The music was on point, the drinks were strong (in a good way), and we we ended up hanging for several hours Brutto definitely made the birthday feel special. We’ll all be talking about that night for a while — and we’re already planning to come back.

Pasta was to die for and the ambiance was such a vibe! The espresso martini is also a must

Amazing service, atmosphere and drinks! Really enjoyed the authentic Italian cuisine.

Our server was wonderful and timed our courses perfectly. We didn't feel rushed but we also didn't need to track her down. Our meal was delicious and I particularly enjoyed the meatballs, oysters and Radiatori pasta! We also got the tiramisu, which I definitely recommend... especially when paired with the Espresso Martini I ordered. Amazing!

Brought to you by the team behind Costera & Osteria Lupe, Brutto Americano is situated inside the Barnett Hotel (formerly, The Ace). This new addition to the neighborhood is a place where classic Italian dishes meld with the bold, diverse flavors of New Orleans cuisine with an emphasis on house made pasta dishes and fresh gulf seafood. The name translates to Ugly American. However, there is nothing ugly about it. The art deco decor is lovely, and the staff are too! A darling Monique greeted me when I arrived. She had amazing energy, great style, and a wonderful personality. She escorted me to a table near the window and shortly after Israel came by to take my order. He was also very personable and sweet. I wasn't very hungry but wanted to try the food. He recommended the Burrata con Panna. I also ordered a cocktail - Velvet & Vine, which was comprised of blackberry, maraschino, lemon, & Prosecco. It was delicious & refreshing. The Burrata did not disappoint! The cheese was buttery soft, and inside was a creamy delight. It was on a bed of pesto made from pistachios, mint, & Serrano. OMG! That pesto was gasmic! I'm still dreaming about it. The toasted house made focaccia was also good. The combo of all three together was fantastic! Bravo Chef Brian Burns! My dining experience here was wonderful. I will definitely be back and highly recommend!

I like Costera & LOVE Osteria Lupo so I had a feeling Brutto wouldn't let me down. I've always loved the space even before it was Brutto. It's so open and I like looking back into the kitchen area. The service was stellar. The drinks were good. Got the oysters as an app and that was my only low note because they seemed to be somewhere in between cooked and raw so the texture was quite off-putting. The flavor was there though. The steak was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and the chimichurri was delish. By far, my favorite part of the meal was the Gemelli pasta. It's got roasted duck, rosemary, and lemon. The duck was succulent and flavorful and moist. The rosemary and lemon were perfectly balanced. It was just delicious. I was thinking about it long after I left lol. Definitely want to come back and try brunch now.

The homemade pasta was really delicious. I wish the crab raditore had a bit more crab in it.. it was pretty scarce. The anchovy butter was a no go for me. It looked like it should have way more flavor with its red color, but it was really just a salty butter. The hanger streak and chimi were delicious and cooked perfectly. Service was mid. The space is really beautiful but it's so large that there isn't much ambiance.

I love Gothic American decor and this restaurant was full on beautiful on the inside. The staff were friendly and always present with our concerns and needs. The food was great and I truly enjoyed their sazerac. I always judge a place by their sazeracs and I was not disappointed! I had pasta this time, but hope to have their hanger steak the next time. If you love eating in a decorative setting that will make you fancy, this is the place for you!

We stopped here for lunch a few days ago and had a great experience. The restaurant is very vibrant and well decorated. We started off with the roasted gulf oysters that were accompanied by focaccia bread and they were amazing! I also tried their 'velvet & vine' cocktail which was also very tasty; perfect for the warm weather. For entrees we had their radiatori & rigatoni pastas. I was a bit sad that we couldn't add additional protein on the pastas, however, they were still very good as is! The rigatoni had a nice kick and the crabmeat was phenomenal on the radiatori. You could taste the pastas were homemade! Great service and ambiance as well.

The ambiance is beautiful. Service was okay. Food started off strong with the oysters and burrata. However, The spread with focaccia was inedible. Pasta was cooked well but was not anything extraordinary with scant amounts of crab.

Brutto Americano was a great atmosphere and the staff was friendly and attentive. The food was a little disappointing and we were surprised. I love their other restaurants and enjoyed the restaurant previously in this location. We tried the burrata, potatoes, oysters and house focaccia to start. There was a ton of great bread but the dishes were otherwise lacking in flavor. Adding 3 pastas to share, the Tagliatelle, Gemell and Radiatori, we were excited to see they were house made pastas. The noodles were good and cooked well, but over all, not anything that I would order again or think about after leaving. I can't say I wouldn't dine here again, but I wouldn't repeat anything I tried on this visit.

Came here for a Saturday dinner. The service was exceptional! We felt everyone was genuine and attentive. The drinks well crafted and the food tasty! Beef & Pork Meatballs paired well with the House Fococia, and I found myself scooping up the broth from the Seared Scallop dish with a spoon. It was that good! Don't forget to save room for dessert, a cup of coffee, or a night cap drink.

Sad to see Josephine Estelle go but Brutto has definitely filled their shoes. The bartenders are amazing and very friendly. Ambiance is 100! The food is great buttttt I am definitely missing the gluten free pasta. There isn't very many restaurants that offer GF pasta in nola. Very sad to see that go but very pleased otherwise. Roman candle cocktail is the best!

Recently planned a team lunch at Brutto Americano, and it was perfect. The ambiance was just what we needed--a beautiful space that felt like an escape from the office, and while bright and lively it was also quiet enough to have easy conversation. Our server was incredibly friendly and patient, especially as we took our time ordering while catching up. We all went with pasta for our main dishes, and each one was delicious. But the real standouts--the ones we're still talking about--were the House Focaccia and the Roasted Oysters. Highly recommend!

The quality of food and service at this restaurant was beyond my expectations. Beautiful interiors, warmly welcome from staff and delicious food made our evening even better! Will surely recommend everyone to experience it.

Brutto Americano did not disappoint! We went for a birthday dinner and they made us feel special the entire time. We got the tasting menu which included everything but the steak tartare. The portions of the tasting menu were awesome for two people and we were able to take food home. The steak tartare and the Radiatore were my favorite dishes. The Radiatore did not have a lot of crab meat but the taste was great. Service was amazing our glasses of water were topped off the whole time and our waitress was great! I never felt like we were waiting on our server and we were checked on by multiple people. The ambiance was great to very cute inside, and not too busy on a Monday. We will be back!

Really liked this place! Normally I am cynical about restaurants with this kind of contemporary aesthetic, but this place felt very really and lived in. Not to mention restaurants attached to hotels often feel tacked on, but that was not the case here. The dishes are great, the pasta especially did it for me. Normally I stray from pasta dishes because I always feel like I can cook the same at home, but these really stood out to me, and I love their choices of noodles on some of the entrees. The dishes look nice, and more importantly taste great. The drinks tie everything together well. The staff seemed nice and attentive, I forget our servers name but they were great and gave us a reason to tip over 20%(and you should too!). Overall a nice experience. It seems like they took good care to make a nice restaurant. I will definitely be back!

Laid-back vibe, super friendly service, and great food--it was the perfect spot for our working lunch.

Thank you!! Had a dinner meeting and the ambiance and atmosphere were spot on. Excellent food choices with the Focaccia and Pappardelle a must. We will be back!

Have been for dinner and brunch - both were fabulous! Great food, service and atmosphere. Will definitely be back.

Excellent experience from beginning (charming hostesses) to end. The food was delicious, particularly the steak tartare, the roasted oysters, the crab pasta, and the scallops. And our waiter, Armando, was superb. We plan to return soon.