With his Sicilian heritage and fine dining chops, people frequently ask Michael Gulotta if he’ll ever open an Italian restaurant. Finally, his answer is yes. The New Orleans-based chef is developing a new Italian restaurant in Old Metairie. It’s called TANA, and it will be an upscale showcase for traditional regional Italian cooking.

TANA is slated to open near early in 2023 at 2929 Metairie Road, close to Causeway Boulevard. It will be part of a new commercial development taking shape along the rapidly changing business strip here. “This will be the Italian restaurant I’ve always wanted,” Gulotta said.