Blog written by Emma Pledger

As Bossier City continues to expand, more culinary businesses begin to emerge. Chef Israel Andrade introduces a new and fresh Italian dining experience at La Dolce Vita. No matter if you’re from the area or visiting from afar, Chef Andrade is sure to accommodate your every need with a comforting atmosphere, timeless Italian cuisine, and exceptional service.

Andrade, former head chef at Bossier City’s L’Italiano, decided to progress his culinary background when he opened a restaurant of his own, La Dolce Vita. He started his career as just a dishwasher at L’Italiano.

“I started seeing how they cook and everything and I liked it. Next thing I knew, I was the line cook!”

After a lot of cooking and waiting tables, it wasn’t long before Andrade found himself as head chef at L’Italiano. He humbly credits Giovanni Giacalone and the Giacalone family for teaching him everything he knows and expresses immense gratitude and respect.

“I owe them too much…They made me the man I am, and the chef I am.”

After many years at L’Italiano, Andrade was given the chance to open his own restaurant. His cousin, the former owner of Pepe’s, was getting ready to close his restaurant when he told Andrade, “Here, do something with this restaurant,” to which Andrade said, “I will, I will!”

After six months, Chef Andrade shared that La Dolce Vita was up and running. And the secret ingredient? “Your heart!” He tells us.

“Anyone can cook. But for people to like your food, your main ingredient has to be your heart.” 

Aside from his duties as a chef at La Dolce Vita, Andrade also works as a chef for the Dallas Cowboys! Regardless of the distance and owning a restaurant of his own, he makes time to cook for his favorite team.

What are his plans for La Dolce Vita? He hopes to expand his restaurant into both Shreveport and Bossier City in the future.

However, “The heart will always be here,” Andrade says about his location in Bossier City. His love for Bossier City comes from the people. 

A popular dish at La Dolce Vita’s is the Pollo Milanese, a delicious breaded chicken breast topped with lemon butter sauce. Customers at La Dolce Vita also rave about Chef Andrade’s famous crab claws that are marinated in a mouth-watering pesto sauce. But most of all, customers love his sense of adaptability and accommodation.

One customer said, “He just strives to do what you like or if he doesn’t have something, he tries to get it the next time. He’s very accommodating”. 

Despite Chef Andrade’s famous marinated crab claw appetizer and his Pollo Milanese being his most popular dishes, his favorite dish to cook is without a doubt the Mahi Mahi New Orleans. He also wants to make lobster stuffed ravioli a new addition to the menu at La Dolce Vita, which customers are sure to love. 

Chef Andrade hopes to spread a message to all of his customers.

“We need that sweet life and we need to enjoy life. Why do we need to be angry at each other when we can take care of each other?”

Andrade’s restaurant La Dolce Vita, meaning “the sweet life,”  was to remind people to take care of each other and enjoy life which he does every day! 

Be sure to check out the delicious dishes La Dolce Vita has to offer at 2369 Airline Drive. You can also check out their website to learn more about them.