America's best pasta is in New Orleans, TikTok star says
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Social media star Alessio Pasini says the pastalaya at Creole House is the best pasta in America in his opinion. Photos: Courtesy of @ThePasinis
Creole House in New Orleans has the best pasta in America, according to a popular social media star who took a culinary tour of the city.
Why it matters: We'll always take praise for our food.
The big picture: Jessi and Alessio Pasini have nearly 5 million followers across their social media accounts. They use the platforms to show Alessio, who is Italian, exploring life in America.
- A common theme is Alessio reviewing Italian-American dishes.
- They met in New Orleans and live south of Nashville now, the couple tells Axios.
Driving the news: They visited New Orleans last month for a 10th anniversary food tour and have been posting about their adventures.
- Each video has hundreds of thousands of views and comments.
- The Pasinis said they paid for the vacation, and it wasn't sponsored.
Zoom in: Creole House was the star of the trip, with Alessio saying the restaurant's pastalaya is the best pasta in America.
- Alessio tells Axios it broke all the Italian food rules — fish with chicken and cheese — but it's still the dish he thinks about.
- He also raved about the classic New Orleans entrees, caramel bread pudding and fried alligator.
Other winners: The bananas Foster at Palace Cafe is "one of the best desserts in the South" and deserves a Michelin star, he proclaims.
- The dressed roast beef poboy at Parkway is "the best sandwich in New Orleans," he adds.
- He also loved beignets at Cafe du Monde, snoballs at Hansen's, the BBQ beans at Blue Oak BBQ and the cannolis at Angelo Brocato's.
Losers: The muffuletta from Central Grocery was "terrible," he says.
- It's worth noting the restaurant remains closed from Hurricane Ida damage, so the sandwiches are made in advance and sold next door.
- Commenters suggested Alessio would like it better freshly made or served warm. Others revoked his New Orleans card immediately.
- The spumoni at Angelo Brocato's got a thumbs down, too, along with the mac & cheese at Blue Oak BBQ.
State of play: Jessi went to Tulane and said she picked the restaurants because she wanted to introduce Alessio to her favorite places.
- They met as extras on a film set after Alessio came to New Orleans to see where his mom grew up.
What she's saying: "New Orleans really changed our lives and brought us together," Jessi says. "It will be forever special."
What's next: Follow the Pasinis on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.