N'Tini's is the product of generations of small business owners with a lively passion for entertaining their customers. The tradition started in 1973 when the parents of Donna Gaspard Benfatti, best known as Maw Maw & Poppy, opened a small grocery store and po-boy shop, Arabi Food Store in St. Bernard Parish. This quaint grocery and po-boy shop catered to local refineries and the neighborhood by serving their famous muffalettas and delicious roast beef po-boys. Arabi Food Store is still a family operation run by Donna's sister and brother-in-law.

As the family business was growing, so was the family, as Donna met Mark Benfatti, they introduced their daughters, Dana, Mandy, and Megan and the girls became friends quickly. As time passed, Mark convinced Donna to marry him and her life would never be the same again! The couple married, built a house and decided to add another venture to the family business. A small restaurant was opened in 1996, Arabi Diner, serving customers breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This was the beginning of a commitment to the restaurant business.

In 2000, the family decided to open a second location of Arabi Diner in a spot with a vacancy right next door, leaving room for something a little different. A few months later, Espresso Yourself Custom Coffee was born. This venture presented the perfect venue for live local entertainment in a relaxing atmosphere. Espresso Yourself boomed, and after a couple of years a larger location was needed with a drive-through to better serve their specialty coffees. The previous building was vacant once again and the concept of "New Orleans Steak and Martinis" or, N'Tini's was created. N'Tini's opened in 2004 and was an instant hit due to its unique atmosphere, attentive staff, delicious potent martinis, and mouthwatering steaks.

As Donna and Mark managed two diners, a coffee house and now a steak house, they felt a sense of accomplishment. Having a wonderful staff created an opportunity for some time off, which was usually spent in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on the Jourdan River. Life was busy, but sweet!

 Everything was going great until August 29, 2005 when the news of a hurricane threatened to devastate the Gulf Coast region. After securing the properties evacuation was a must and the couple decided to get away for a long weekend until Katrina "blew over". The next day proved to be tragic as the family watched the water soak through years of hard work, and ruin the community of St. Bernard Parish, which they called home. Devastated and heartbroken, the Benfatti's vowed to never return to the restaurant business again.

A few weeks later, they ended up in St. Tammany parish staying with a dear friend and eventually landed back on their feet. In 2007, the Benfatti's learned that Rockafeller's restaurant was on the market. Thinking, "Never say never," Mark and Donna decided to give the restaurant business one more try. N'Tini's was resurrected and St. Tammany welcomed this St. Bernard classic, and its proprietors, with open arms.

It's been a long road getting here, but Mark and Donna are grateful for the many new friends they have made, while still enjoying seeing their old friends and customers too!

We hope you enjoy N'Tini's and have a "fun dining" experience.