PDR: A Food Speakeasy in New Orleans

It was a passion for quality food that led Rita Bernhardt and William Barial to meet while working at Domenica in New Orleans three years ago, and a shared interest in starting their own venture that prompted them to open the doors to

PDR, a food speakeasy operated out of their apartment, earlier this year.

Twice a week the couple holds multi-course meals featuring hyper local and seasonal offerings that reflect the duo’s comfort-driven fare via travels — a recent trip to Austin inspired a fried deviled egg — along with Bernhardt’s refined culinary footing (prior to PDR she put in significant time at August). Local culture seekers and fellow industry buddies alike are beckoned by a BYOB policy and dining room table, which is tended to by Barial throughout the evening by way of speedy plate clears, frequent glass refreshers, and detailed dish descriptions. Meanwhile, Bernhardt labors away two rooms down in the kitchen, through which guests stroll routinely to report gushing compliments or to reap the infectious wafts from a stockpot-studded stove.

The dinners happen every Wednesday and Sunday evening, and reservations can be made at PDR’s website.