Reginelli’s: More than pizza
124 W. Chimes St.
All credit cards
No reservations
|
|
Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight
Price range: Apps run $3.25 to $9.75; pizzas, pasta and calzones are $7.25 to $16.25.
Business lunch? It’s a little casual for a power lunch, but the restaurant is surprisingly quiet—despite the stained concrete floors. So if you’re in a creative field it might be the perfect place.
Kid-friendly? They’ll love the Starburst colors almost as much as they love the extra cheese.
Dress codes: Casual. Jeans and T-shirts are the norm.
Atmosphere: Swings from quiet and relaxing during the day to more lively in the evening.
Aesthetic: A trendy, modern space that never feels cramped.
Private parties: Sure, they will close the restaurant for you and 200 of your closest friends.
Outdoor seating: No.
To-go orders: Yep, and free delivery too.
Parking: Chimes Street or the Pleasant Hall lot [after it opens to the public at 4:30 p.m.].
Contact: 339-1771, reginellis.com
With four locations flourishing in the New Orleans area, Reginelli’s Pizzeria opened its first Baton Rouge branch in the old Bayou on Chimes Street in a building that’s seen everything from a Steven Soderbergh filmshoot to a fire.
Reginelli’s has a full bar, but it’s the specialty pizzas, calzones, salads and focaccia sandwiches that have been earning the most buzz. They are tasty enough to earn street cred in LSU’s trendy North Gate neighborhood, a strip of locally owned businesses that, quite frankly, had been subsisting with a pizza slice-shaped void in its belly.
Owner Darryl Reginelli sticks to the design scheme of his New Orleans locations, which means the restaurant is open, modern and gets lots of natural light. The wild colors and racetrack lighting give it the unique feel of eating pizza in a gumball machine. But like much of Chimes Street, sometimes it is best to just enjoy it and say, “Why not?”
Three undercover reviewers, each with a particular appetite, reviewed Reginelli’s. Disagree with them? Post your own review at here.
The Pizza Lover
“Thoughts of cheese and pepperoni keep me going in tough times.”
I recommend…
Focaccia bread stix ($3.25). Salty, peppery and plenty for the entire table. The side of roasted red pepper sauce is a nice, spicy twist.
Tony’s play ($11.95). With pancetta, prosciutto and pepperoni, Tony’s is a triple play.
Custom pizza ($12.25). Fresh mushrooms, fresh garlic and crispy, savory pancetta. This simple combo will knock you out.
I’d avoid…
Baked ham sandwich ($7.75). You should be arrested for even considering this at a pizza joint.
The pizzas completely if you really like dollops of marinara on your pie. Reginelli’s goes light on the sauce to let the toppings shine, so those who like to see red might be turned off.
The bottom line…
Reginelli’s offers incredible variety with its 32 topping options for custom pizzas that try hard to be gourmet, but fall short. It’s the casual, colorful atmosphere—like dining in a gumball machine—that kids will love.
The Food Snob
“I buy $35 bottles of balsamic vinegar.”
I recommend…
Spinach and artichoke dip ($6.50). A delightfully creamy version packed with tons of cheese and garlic
The downtowner ($8.25). You couldn’t want for anything: a sandwich of turkey, prosciutto, salami, roma tomatoes and melted mozzarella on two warm slices of focaccia with a sun-dried tomato pesto.
Getting a to-go box.
I’d avoid…
The focaccia bread stix ($3.25). The dusting of cornmeal gave the stix a gritty, unpleasant texture and the roasted red pepper dipping sauce was cold and overpowering.
Going when you’re starving.
The bottom line…
The menu is packed with premium ingredients with everything from prosciutto to gorgonzola, and with an abundance of menu choices you’ll probably find something to please most palates.
The Vegetarian
“I grow ’em and eat ’em, except mushrooms and onions. Eww!”
I recommend…
Spinach and artichoke-stuffed boule ($6.50). A little heavy on the garlic, but otherwise not overly cheesy and just creamy enough.
The small green salad ($5.75). The balsamic citrus vinaigrette is refreshing, mixed with the crisp greens, roma tomatoes and crumbled gorgonzola.
Ordering a custom pizza (about 18 garden-grown toppings available at $1.25 each) if your funds can support it.
I’d avoid…
The quatro pizza ($10.95). Even with four varieties of my favorite non-veggie (cheese, please!), this pie wasn’t worth the stomachache. And points off for poor spelling!
Going to Reginelli’s if you want a veggie sandwich. There’s not a meatless offering of the 11 sandwiches available.
The bottom line…
It’s good food in slick surroundings, but it’s not great. Use the online coupons and give it a try.
|
|
|
