Chef John Besh delays Domenica opening

Chef John Besh’s awaited opening of Domenica in the historic Roosevelt Hotel will be delayed — but only until later this summer. The trattoria-style Italian restaurant has hit some bumps in its renovations. Besh has been planning the 140-seat eatery that will serve rustic Italian meals at central communal tables [as well as private tables] for well over a year. The hotel formerly known as the Fairmont opened in June.”We see it as a perfect opportunity to keep refining the menu and always digging deeper into the history of the great Italian heritage that is a rich influence in the culture of New Orleans,” Besh says. “We’re looking forward more than ever to opening this summer.” Domenica, which means “Sunday,” will feature an extensive selection of salumi of estate-raised pork that he and executive chef and partner Alon Shaya have been preparing and curing for more than a year. Besh owns three other Crescent City establishments — Restaurant August, Besh Steakhouse and Lüke — and la Provence on the Northshore. He eventually hopes to open an eatery in Baton Rouge as well. — Penny Font