Russo's NY Pizzeria

4 out of 5 Stars

Website
4870 Beechnut St
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 349-8787

Image courtesy of Chron.com

Russo's New York Pizzeria:

It's not new. It's not hip. I wouldn't even call it quaint.....but it's Meyerland's true neighborhood pizza joint and it's stellar!

One bite of their New York style pizza, and you forget Russo's is even a local chain.

Growing up in Meyerland - this was my go-to pizza place. They sell by the slice, by, the pie, and in the right circumstance by the ton.

By the ton? Not quite, but they do offer an XL that could feed the Texans Football Team - a slight exaggeration. 28 inches of fresh, garlicky, pizza squares under $30 (toppings are extra) will barely fit in your trunk. The good news is...THEY DELIVER! Good luck getting it through your front door though. I kid.

Russo's offers pizza in all shapes, sizes and flavors.

I've yet to explore their pasta or specialty menu because I pine for their pie, but it's long and varied (lobster ravioli, anyone?).

Keep in mind that Russo's is more than just pizza delivery. A party of any size can dine comfortably and casually in this family friendly restaurant. You'll be just as pleased with thier counter service as you are with the pizza.

I recently placed an order for an XL (half margarita, half veggie-complete with artichokes) as well as a bulk house salad.

30 minutes and $75 dollars later, I was hosting a party of 12 very satisfied ladies. The craziest part, I still had enough leftovers to feed a family of 4! That's value.

So when you are ordering for Superbowl, don't forget your neighborhood Russo's: New York flavor, Houston prices.

Piola

4 out of 5 Stars

Website

3201 Louisiana StHouston, TX 77006 

(713) 524-8222

If pizza's actually partied, Piola is where they would rave.

Midtown's newest pizza joint seriously delivers (in flavor). As an international chain (ew) with locations in Chile, Honduras and even Turkey - I was shocked and surprised with my satisfaction of their thin crust pie.

If you've driven by, you may have been blinded by the colorful lights, but rest assured your eyes adjust once you settle in.

I arrived for my 8pm reservation on a Friday night and avoided a 30 minute wait. Piola is small but packs a crowd, so be prepared.

A full bar awaits you complete with several Brazilian specialty drinks (mostly fruit based). I went with an average Chianti as I salivated at my ideal menu.

SO. MANY.  PIZZAS.

ALL. LOOK. AMAZING.

Convinced I was already going to be a regular patron before my lips even touched a slice, I went ahead and ordered a more basic pizza - The Moderna topped with peppery arugula. If you can't make a solid plain pizza - I want nothing to do with you.

Lucky for Piola - they aced the test; delicate, thin, salty, cheesy perfection! Some may say Piola's pies skew soggy - but I'm not complaining. I ADORED MY PIZZA.

I also checked out the Gnocchi Pompeii - the simpler of 2 gnocchi dishes offered. It was your basic plate of pillowy carbs in a sub par tomato sauce.

I'd recommend foregoing the gnocchi for other parts of the menu still yet to be explored by me. Stay Tuned!

I loved Piola's high energy atmosphere. The only thing cheesy about this spot is their pizzas. Some have said it's a little club like - but I disagree. Although it's in the middle of midtown, once you are inside, Piola's much more Miami Beach.

 

Bonus: It's open till 1AM!

Bottom Line: Dolce Vita fans will find happiness with Piola's pizza in a more upbeat, casual setting. Your goth vegan, cousin will be sure to hate it.

Luigi's Pizzeria

5 out of 5 Stars

Website
3700 Almeda Rd
Houston, TX 77004
(281) 793-3333

Part 1:

I want to throw someone a daytime b-day party at Luigi's!

Say hello to
-BYOB (and no corking fee)
-Bocce Ball
- outdoor patio
-awesome service
-decent pizza
-great prices

I had good vibes the second I stepped into this tiny pizzaria. You can order by the slice or by the pie at Luigi's which is a big plus when you come here with just one person and can't do leftovers. My friend and I ordered two slices of the caprese pizza (mozzarella and basil), one slice of mushroom and olive and 2 sodas to share. The total? Drumroll......$10.50 between the 2 of us...unheard of!

The thin slices could have been a little crispier, but we had no problem polishing off both varieties. I noticed they have excellent daily specials (in this case, eggplant parm, salad and breadsticks for around $7).

So our plan was to complete our meal with gelato (they have nutella!!!) but our time crunch killed that. In light of our limited time to dine, Luigi's was super speedy and the staff was superb. The guy at the register where we placed our order could not have been more friendly.

Bonus-you can see in to their kitchen (love that).

Luigi's: awesome atmosphere, with A-OK pizza.

So who's bday is coming up??? We've got the location settled!

Part II:

Well, I finally threw someone a "Welcome to Houston" party at Luigi's and I'm still OBSESSED with it (hence the bump up to the coveted 5 star rating).

The pizza, service and ambiance (if you are going for casual food provided by the cutest family ever) CAN'T be beat.

It has definitely gotten busier since April resulting in a longer wait...which only speaks to how solid the establishment is.

I highly recommend their "Caprese Pizza" which is margarita upgraded with buffalo mozzarella as well as their white pizza with mushrooms. They also serve up some mean wings and a SOLID eggplant lasagna special if you aren't hankering for a pie.

The hard sell: I bring every out of town guest HERE. The consistent response post food coma and a round of bocce ball: "Can we come back next time??".

That should tell you everything you need to know.

 

D'Amico's

5 out of 5 Stars

Website
5510 Morningside Dr
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 526-3400

*Coming soon to the Heights (as of 12/12/2010)

I don't have enough fingers to convey how many years I have been frequenting the Rice Village and somehow never ventured into D'Amico's till yesterday. FOR SHAME. To think, all the missed opportunities of straight up quaintness and total bliss.

The setting is right. The food is right. The price is right.

D'Amico's is a family owned, casual Italian eatery and market with a delicious menu and excellent service. It reminds me of what Pronto's wanted to be, but more authentic and less corporate.

Located in the heart of Rice Village, parking should never be a deterrent when dining at D'Amico's SINCE THEY VALIDATE PARKING - SCORE!

I can't wait for fall so I can enjoy the patio and people watch, but for now, we sat at a cozy table inside.

The menu is filled with glorious appetizers including various versions of antipasti, steamed mussels, and even crab claws! Seriously, how often do you see mussels and crab claws priced UNDER $10 at a casual restaurant?

They also offer several salads and an OUTRAGEOUS selection of pasta (any type your heart desires: gnocchi, eggplant, pesto, mussels, sausage....).

Then there are the pricier specials including veal, chicken, fish, risotto, even lamb chops all served with salad. I'm telling you, D'Amico's has EVERYTHING.

In an attempt to eat "lightly" I split their caprese salad and gnocchi with pesto - two basic dishes.

Neither dish was inventive or unique, but simply satisfying. There was no room for disappointment.......or dessert here.

Speaking of dessert, I have to point out the gelato case located in the front of the restaurant (including mascrapone with raspberries and coffee with chocolate - (can the D'Amico Family do wrong??).

You can easily, walk out of D'Amico's for under $10 (plus tip) for dinner.

Then there is the staff - both welcoming and attentive, making D'Amico's the total package for a relaxing and delicious meal.

I'd recommend D'Amico's for just about ANY situation as long as you are going for casual and delectable.

Gone are the days of racking our brains on where to eat in the Village, because D'Amico's has something for everyone (given everyone loves Italian).

Vinoteca Poscol

4 out of 5 Stars

1609 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-2797

I'm going to be forward here. Vinoteca Poscol.....you are my ultimate aphrodisiac.

You had me at hello with your sexy, understated bar, dark hardwood tables and that lighting that makes everyone look good (dim). I opened up my menu and kept seeing seductive salamis, a captivating cheese spread, luscious little plates, flirtatious flatbreads, pasta - made with passion....all things Italian and right in this world.

You clearly know what you are doing and I like it.

So here is the deal. If you enjoy Dolce Vita (for more than just their amazing pizza), you will LOVE VP.

First off, I was seated immediately with no reservation which is amazing for a Friday night, especially since the restaurant was still hopping.

The minute I opened the menu, I knew I was in trouble - I wanted it all!

Like Dolce Vita, VP offers several small plates for starters divided between vegetable, seafood and meat based dishes. They also offer an excellent cheese selection and their specialty - in house cured salami...IE salty, thin slices of heaven.

After an intense debate, we settled on 1 salami, 3 cheeses and a pasta dish - all to die for.

Damn you, VP for not posting your menu online because I can't tell you what I ordered.

YOU MUST GET THE BRESAOLA - aged beef salami, drizzled with olive oil, lemon, and cracked pepper and send a Yelp compliment to thank me later.

As I mentioned, the cheese selection is marvelous and you can select 3 for $12 (not a steal, and you do have to pay extra for the accoutrement) which was a slight turn off.

We finished with the very first pasta on the pasta menu. Think "fancy" fettuccine alfredo - BAKED - with a cheesy, prosciutto topping. Can we say indulgent? **NOTE** SPLIT this, as it is way too heavy for one person.

Let's talk about the service. I just LOVE when the waiters know what they are talking about. In my case, the waiter also happened to be a sommelier so he helped us pick out some great wine. He was passionate about the menu and made great recommendations for our meal. He checked on us frequently and was a true pleasure.

Gentlemen - take your lady here...It WILL payoff.

Ladies - this a great spot for a girls night out if your gals are foodies like me.

Expensive? It can be.  Everything looks pretty affordable, but it  will definitely add up just like at a sushi restaurant. Each dish is so delicate and flavorful, that it's worth it.

VP, My mother should have warned me about someone like you; raw..... dangerous (with your rough exterior)....so wrong, but so right.

Warning: While there is parking for the restaurant, it is limited and you may end up having to park on the street.

Frank's Pizza

4 out of 5 Stars

Website
417 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002-1807
(713) 225-5656

The odds of me turning down an invitation to Frank's when the clock strikes noon are prettttttttttttttttttttttttttttty slim.

Why?

Because It's easily your best option for pizza downtown.

Pizza by the slice at Frank's is far superior to heartless Roman Delight in the tunnels and much larger / cheaper than the  baby slices at the trendy Bombay Pizza Co.

Frank's always has a few piping hot slices ready to serve including supreme, pepperoni, cheese and usually a veggie option. The employees are willing to make other varieties if you are cool waiting.

The best part - you can get a monster slice with a soda for under $5! That's a'more!

As for the flavor? Pretty on point! I would venture to say it's pretty comparable to Ray's Pizza in NYC (you know, the pizza joint on every corner).

So does Frank's pizza inspire poetry? No. But it's not supposed to. It's made by a guy named Frank (not true). But it does hit the spot.

Bonus! The joint pays homage to every movie filmed in Houston by plastering framed posters all over it's walls. Respect.

I also enjoy the neon shirts the delivery boys have been sporting - way to beat the heat!

Oh, Frank's.......you remind me of my favorite late night pizza joint from my college days in Bloomington, IN.......except that I'm sober and it's daylight. Seeing as though you are open late, I can always count on you to recreate the memory.

Gugliani's

3 out of 5 Stars

Meyerland
4990 Beechnut St
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 349-9040
For all locations, see website.

Have I lost my mind?

I was aware that various Collina's locations were renamed to Gugliani's, but was hoping that's where the changes ended.

I swear that menu changed. Where are the pasta dishes? Sure, they have the basic spaghetti and meatballs and tortellini, but I could have sworn Collina's had a few more "fun" dishes - nope.

Before I begin writing up an an average review of Gugliani's, I want to preface that I generally prefer / enjoy the Collina's Richmond location, but my family selected Gugliani's for proximity - sake.

The reasons I happily dine at Collina's on Richmond are because the food is straight up good, the atmosphere is casual, it's BYO and the waiters appear to have been there for years and clearly enjoy working there - making my dining experience an absolute pleasure.

Switching gears, the Gugliani's in Meyerland is just not the same.

Although we were seated immediately (crazy, when the wait on Richmond can be a grueling hour), the food took forever and the waitress did not really seem all too concerned.

When we finally received our orders, my whole family was BLOWN AWAY by the Abruzzo Pizza. Normally selecting the Mona Lisa (tomato, spinach, shroom and feta), the Abruzzo was a pleasant surprise. Featuring spinach, artichoke, and 3 cheeses (mozzarella, provolone and some sort of creamy cheese) this pie was too die fo - DECADENT and the saving grace of a rather blah meal.

My mom and I also spit the Capellini Pomodoro Fresco - a basic pasta with basil, garlic and tomato which ended up being flavorless, watery carbs. If I'm carbing up, it better be worth it - not so much.

Bottom line: if it wasn't for the Abruzzo Pizza, Gugliani's might as well be Olive Garden minus the unlimited bread sticks and salad. So if you must go to this particular location, go for the pizza (they all seem to do the job) and bring your own bottle of vino to distract you from the other flaws at this location.

Ibiza

5 out of 5 Stars

Website
2450 Louisiana St # 200
Houston, TX 77006-2381
(713) 524-2951

The Event: Lady's Night

The Mission: An excuse to dress up and indulge in fun cocktails and fancy food

Location: Ibiza, Spain (in our dreams)

The Real Location: Ibiza in Midtown

I love how the moment you walk in to Ibiza, you can tell you are in a classy establishment (see cool wine wall) without the cheesy ritz factor you see in a lot of other upscale restaurants. They are clearly letting their food speak for itself - respect.

Our party of 4 was immediately seated (thanks to our reservations at http://www.opentable.com). Although the restaurant was hopping, our cocktails were delivered as soon as we ordered them.

Following a toast for a fun evening, we opened our menus. To the left, an exciting assortment of small plates, soups, salads and pizzas (all reasonably priced). To the right, an impressive range of large plate entrees. My group had an assortment from both sides and were POSITIVELY SATISFIED with EVERY order.

Small Plates Highlights:
Ceviche: FRESH, FRESH, FRESH with a focus on shrimp in a lime sauce but not too limey (this is key). It was served in a martini glass with a perfect amount of airy and crisp shrimp toast to nosh on. LOVED it.

Pizzas: Both the pancetta / arugula as well as the goat cheese were excellent and made with quality ingredients. Served thin and surprisingly large. I highly recommend this as a starter.

Large Plate Highlights:
Pan Seared Pasta - WOW. If you were on a carb free diet - this plate is how you break it. Penne pasta cooked to perfection soaked in oil, cheese and truffle (all the good stuff). This dish was rich and orgasmic (yeah, I went there).

Moroccan Shrimp - a gorgeous plate featuring several large shrimp, on a bed of cheesy polenta and spinach on the side. I always appreciate variety in a dish to to keep my taste buds guessing. The shrimp were smothered in a sweet and spicy glaze. Fabulous.

We concluded our meal with complimentary cotton candy lit with celebratory sparklers (since we fibbed and said it was one of our b-days). I have no regrets lying to our waiter and I'd do it again - totes worth it.

Do not come to Ibiza in a hurry. Don't get me wrong, our dinner was timed perfectly but this restaurant is designed for you to enjoy your meal and your company the way you would in Spain .

Between the atmosphere, meal and service, Ibiza was an absolute pleasure for our girl's night out - and perfect for a date or special occasion.

Once the weather cools, I'd love to dine there patio style.

Ibiza, thanks for putting a taste of Spain in our backyard. We love you.

Dolce Vita

5 out of 5 Stars

 

Website

500 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 520-8222

 

 

Now that's a pizza!!!

My feelings for Dolce Vita mirror my feelings for Baby Barnaby's in the following ways:

A) DV is one of the few places where I'll actually wait 30 minutes to get seated - the food more than makes up for it

B) I'll take the time to write the review KNOWING it will never get read as there are 80+ glowing reviews already - It's THAT good

As you enter this 2 story house converted into the ultimate authentic Italian pizzeria, you'll immediately take in a strong truffle aroma (no, that's not mildew, folks) - respect it!

Weekend evenings are ALWAYS PACKED here, but that's because they live up to the hype. By the time you get seated, it does not take the waiter long to calm your nerves with a glass of wine from their extensive wine list.

I will say that every waiter I've had here has been educated on the menu, friendly and prompt - so GOOD JOB, MGMT!

Let's get to the important part - the food.

The menu starts off with a long list of unique specials of the day. Go for it! Their specials are always on point.

Without a doubt - get at least one pizza to share. Their pizza is essentially 6 slices of heaven with arugula on top. They have some interesting toppings that include eggplant, pine nuts, and even egg - don't knock it till you try it.

DV's pizza is legitimately Italian style - thin, salty crust with the freshest mozzarella in town (written as my mouth waters).

Aside from the pizza, the menu itself is quite daunting (several small plates, pastas, and entrees). Some of my top choices include the pumpkin and goat cheese balls and their thinly sliced fresh prosciutto on a butcher block - wowza.

They also have a great dessert menu including various gelato and sorbets. Recently, I tasted the guava and mango sorbet - so refreshing -what a way to end a meal.

The atmosphere of Dolce Vita is loud but intimate. Since the restaurant is a gutted house, it automatically wins in charm factor. It is also surprisingly accommodating as I have thoroughly enjoyed this spot on a date and even as a group of 12 (they do take reservations for parties over 6).

Dinner for 2 can be quite affordable just a splitting a pizza, appetizer and wine. However, when going in groups - I will admit it's easy to see the bill skyrocket - so keep that in mind.

Dolce Vita - you amaze me every time. I'll never quit you.

**Know before you go**

Parking is tricky. If you are cool with valet, it is complimentary w/ tip. Otherwise, you may need to park a few blocks away.

Candelari's

2 out of 5 Stars

2617 W Holcombe
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 662-2825

For all locations, visit website.

Yikes! I gotta agree with Yelp here.

What is wrong with the Candelari's on Holcombe?

I was sad to see Candelari's leave their small Bellaire location as it was down the street from my apartment.

I have visited their Heights / Washington location and was also a happy customer.

Holcombe? What did you do?

My friend and I walked into an almost empty restaurant after a long "Monday Funday" (thank you, vets). We ordered a calamari appetizer and a shroom and olive pizza.

I noticed our appetizer took quite a while (especially since we were one of the only patrons) and felt the need to clarify to our waiter we expected it come out first. He confirmed that was the plan but conveyed the pizza may be ready first. Get it together, kitchen!

The calamari came out and was par for course. Pro - the dish also came with fried artichoke! Con -the marinara was pretty bland and on the watery side.

The pizza came out shortly after and just didn't do it for me at all. The crust was thin, but not crispy. The dough needed more salt. Overall, there was just a lack of flavor explosion that I've come to expect thanks to Grimaldi's, Dolce Vita, and Pinks.

Our waiter also rubbed me the wrong way. So I'll admit I'm a slow eater and I tend to pick at my food a bit when I'm almost done. There is nothing more annoying then feeling rushed to finish your meal when the waiter asks you if he can clear the table TWICE.

Yeah, dude, still eating...

Note that he was not worried about table turnover (as it was empty) and they were not about to close.

When I actually did finish my meal, we received our check.

Somehow we each paid $14 without tip. The bill was right, I was just surprised by the total. I'm fine paying $20 each for Grimaldi's, but this was not cutting it.

No Thanks, Candelari's on Holcombe. I'll drive the other direction to Washington, should we choose to meet again.

Vincent's

5 out of 5 Stars

Website
2817 W Dallas St
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 528-4313

Why can't all Italian restaurants measure up to the class that is Vincent's?

I finally found my way back after a 3 year hiatus (inexcusable on my part).

I am consistently charmed each time I enter the Vincent's / Grapino's / Nino's trifecta (same owner). As I stepped out of my car (which was a breeze to park), I was welcomed to jazz music (often performed live in the courtyard).

Indoors, I felt as though I had been whisked away to Tuscany (and while I have not been, I have seen "Under the Tuscan Sun" enough times to assume this is what it's like). I realize this is a slight exaggeration - but trust me, the ambience is unique.

The menu at Vincent's is spectacular - I wanted it all! Somehow, even the most basic pasta dish makes my mouth water here. I ended up splitting the penne ala vodka and red snapper topped with fresh crab meat and mushrooms.

Proclamation: The red snapper at Vincent's is my favorite red snapper ever. The filet has a very light breading and the fish melts in every bite. The dish also comes with garlic infused spinach that would make even the pickiest 8 year old happy.

The penne was also pretty great (excellent cream sauce), although I would have liked to see more ingredients in the dish (both for texture and presentation purposes).

Let's talk service for a minute. Our waiter was magnificent - friendly, articulate and knowledgeable. He always came by at the right time and truly made our dinner a pleasure.

Vincent's just gets it. They somehow made a fine dining establishment casual and classy all at the same time.

The decision has been made for you - Go. To. Vincent's.

Maggiano's

4 out of 5 Stars

Website
2019 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 961-2700

Maggiano's is to society what Home Depot is to most girls.....you only go when it is absolutely necessary.

Necessary times include eating with a large and in charge group, a private party, your first meal out of jail, and in most cases for me - a hilarious, cheap dinner.

Hilarious, cheap dinner? At Maggiano's? Do tell!

I strongly encourage Houston Yelpers and friend or two to grab a table at the front bar of Maggiano's Monday through Friday in between 6 and 9pm . You are guaranteed to be surrounded by suits, cougars, and awkward dates galore while listening to the most ridiculous cover band on keyboard and guitar (and by cover band, I mean a man and woman covering Gnarles Barkley and Earth, Wind and Fire and by ridiculous, I mean cheese-fest). People watching at its finest!

Order a wine, bellini, or whatever strikes your fancy, a small appetizer (like calamari) and split a side pasta. It may not be advertised on the menu, but they offer sides orders of pasta for $3 or $4 (your choice of pasta and sauce)! Sit back, relax, and hilarity ensues for a grand total of $10 -$15 per person including tip. 60% of the time, it works every time.

But seriously, for bulk dining, Maggiano's is one of the best options out there. It's still a nice setting, guests have plenty of options, and the food (when taken into consideration that it's served in bulk) is "a'ight".

I went here recently for a friend's birthday dinner (party of 12). When making a large reservation, they require you to choose a set menu. By set menu, they mean a BOTTOMLESS smorgasbord of food. We ended up with 2 salads, stuffed mushrooms, fried zucchini, lasagna, ravioli, chicken marsala chicken parm, AND cheesecake for $40 a person (we also order a couple bottles of wine).

$40 is a lot BUT, you end up ordering so many items that everyone is happy and everyone takes home leftovers (think dinner and lunch for the rest of the week).

Maggiano's service was outstanding! They were prompt, friendly, attentive, and happy to continue serving additional orders of whatever we wanted fully knowing they were just going to box it up later.

Albeit it's not the best Italian fare, but for a care free feast among a lot of people, Maggiano's is not a bad option.

Bonus!

Maggiano's is a big supporter of the Make A Wish Foundation. One of my "random nights of hilarity" at the front bar at Maggiano's happened to be a night they hosted a Hawaiian luau for a Make A Wish family. Not only did Maggiano's provide the feast for a group of at least 50, they also hired a fire dancer to perform outside the restaurant as a sendoff for the family's trip to Hawaii that Maggiano's paid for!

Good peeps at Maggiano's which ultimately bumps my 3 star review to a 4!

Little Napoli

3 out of 5 Stars

Website
1001 Texas Ave
Ste 100
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 225-3900

Bored of tunnel food and eager to enjoy a gorgeous day, my coworkers and I took an above ground stroll downtown to Little Napoli for lunch.

I got a warm and fuzzy vibe upon entering this quaint corner restaurant. This vibe continued as I perused their lunch friendly menu with meals starting as low as $6! A limitless list of options ranging from pastas to pizzas and chicken entrees makes this a lunch spot for even the pickiest eater.

Tracey T. was dead on about the bread "laced with crack" that was promptly brought out after we were seated (soft, fluffy and sweet inside with a crispy crust).

Brianna S. and I split the antipasta salad and a lunch sized margarita pizza with shrooms and black olives. In the future, I will pass on the salad (your basic salad with thin slices of salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese with watery dressing didn't jive with me).

Our pizza, however hit the spot (definitely not the best, but scratched my itch if you know what I mean). Garlic lovers will be pleased with this $7 pie.

Our waitress was attentive, prompt and sweet making our first experience a pure pleasure.

Downtown yelpers will definitely get out of their lunch crunch with this average but homey Italian spot.

Bonus: Happy hour from 2 - 8 (not a typo). I didn't have a chance to see what is included, but WOW.

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

4 out of 5 Stars

Website
3215 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-1934

This place moves to the beat of its own drum.

Giacomo's to restaurants is like a 10-breed mixed pup at the pound to dogs. You can't tell what it is or where it came from but you know it's cute (or in Giacomo's case) tasty.

It's Italian, but it's tapas. It's a trendy cafeteria, but it's not pretentious. It's casual but romantic. If you are ready to accept all of these things, you are a ready to try the delight that is Giacomo's.

One thing is for certain, there are no rules in how your order here.

As you walk into this funky "design on a dime" decorated restaurant (will explain later), you are presented with "cold, fast" plates of various antipasto. This is a great option for appetizers as they are served right away! You can choose 1 (or in my case 4 for $14 as I was dining with my gals). My top picks were the marinated mushrooms and the ratatouille. They also had options like marinated broccoli, roasted cauliflower, and shrimp and calamari in a lemon vinaigrette.

Then we ordered "hot, prepared" dishes from the menu on the chalkboard. I was amazed at how quickly these dishes came out from the kitchen.

We selected the following:
-The formaggio pannini - 3 fine cheeses with truffle oil. It was what it should be; fancy grilled cheese, but not worth $9.

-Mushroom gnocchi: a personal highlight for me. I adore a a great gnocchi dish and this one lived up to my expectations. Definitely a plate to share as the heavy cream sauce is overly indulgent.

-Trout: Served whole and butterflied. It was beautifully simple with no special crusts or sauces - just plain, good grilled fish done right.

As I mentioned, the restaurant has a funky, refreshing vibe. My favorite part was the back wall; painted turquoise with a collage of foam pieces spray painted in various bright colors. Very unique! I am looking forward to hanging out on their patio as the days get warmer with good wine and good company.

I grow fonder of Giacomo's as I yelp! This place evokes so many possibilities in terms of both the type of meal and setting I am going for.

I leave my fellow yelpers with the following advice:
- At least for your first time, come here with an open mind and a good mood. You will be far more accepting of the unconventional presentation of this restaurant.
-Come here with friends as this is definitely a place to share plates!
-You pay in advanced at the front register, so make sure you order enough.

You go, Giacomo's! Continue to dance like no one's watching!

Crapitto's Cucina Italiana

3 out of 5 Stars

Website
2400 Midlane St
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 961-1161

I had the pleasure of dining at Crapitto's on a late Tuesday night. I love Houston, but my biggest issue with it is the lack of late diners here.

As a result, my date and I were the only 2 people at the restaurant by 8:30...a little awkward. This could be pretty romantic if Crapitto's was half the size and dimly lit - but this was not the case.

Nevertheless, service was top notch (since we basically had the place to ourselves). They never made me feel rushed to leave even though we were their last customers.

I went with a risotto with seafood and crawfish - it was amazing! The crawfish and shrimp were plentiful and cooked perfectly. The risotto was crazy creamy without getting too mushy.

To me, Crapitto's has that old school Italian restaurant  charm - modern it is not.

So just a 3??? I need to return in order for Crapitto's to gain more stars from me as I can't base a review on 1 entree and no other patrons in site.

But if you really need a recommendation, I'd say take a chance and go! I will definitely be returning.

La Vista

5 out of 5 Stars

Website

1936 Fountain View Dr
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 787-9899

La Vista is......happiness.  Fine food in a casual setting - and that's how the chef want s you to feel. The website is called http://www.fatbutter.com - enough said.

The moment you enter the parking lot you smell the garlic sizzling. And although this quaint restaurant sits on the corner of an old supermarket plaza, you quickly forget once you sit down on a bench with a bottle of wine.

On a beautiful night...La Vista IS the place to go. I don't bother sitting indoors because the patio is just perfect.

I have never been underwhelmed with anything I order here. However, here are my top pics:

1) Steamed Mussels in garlic sauce. WOW! They are always cooked perfectly and the broth is heaven. They give you crispy bread to soak up the broth - it is so good you don't even miss the frites that normally accompany this type of dish.

2) EVERY pizza is perfection hands down. The crust is thin the way I like it and the ingredients are aplenty.

3)  Their spicy shrimp and grits dish is the ultimate comfort food.

The menu is a perfect size - plenty of options without becoming overwhelming.

The service is average, but the food and the wait (sometimes) is worth it.

And (bonus) the BYO wine you sip while you wait and dine make up for any shortcomings.

PS- Conveniently, there is a liquor store right next door in case you forget your bottle(s) at home. Score!

Great for a date or group of friends!

Ciao Bello

4 out of 5 Stars
Website

 

5161 San Felipe
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 960 - 0333

What a great new spot!

I came here with a girlfriend and we were on a mission for pizza - we got HOOKED UP.

We planned on ordering half Margarita / half pear, goat cheese and caramelized onion.

They ended up giving us just the pear/goat/onion pizza. They realized the mistake immediately and said they would bring a smaller version of the marg to make up for it.

5 minutes later - a giant marg came out just for us.

So yeah - service was WONDERFUL.

So let's talk about the food:

Pizzas are Sicilian style - the way I like it. THIN AND CRISPY. The crust had this great flakiness to it.

Both pizzas were delicious - flavorful and at least 2 notches up from your average thin crust pizza. I was also surprised at the great price for such a large portion - I think they were $12?

We also order the Osso Bucco Ravioli. While fellow yelpers Katie F. and Albert N. highly recommended this pasta dish - I didn't see pizazz and will not be ordering it again. Don't get me wrong - it was good....I am just excited to try all the other amazing dishes on the excellent menu at Ciao Bello.

I wish I were with a bigger group so I could have tasted a few more items...but if you love fine pizza - the Vallone's have done it right.

After I finish my leftovers from the extra pizzas we received, I will definitely be returning.

YAY for another great pizza spot in Houston!!!

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

 5 out of 5 Stars

16535 Southwest Fwy
Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 265-2280

I consider myself a pizza connoisseur

so..

Dare I say the best pizza in Houston?

SO DELISH.

I respect the simplicity of their establishment:

GREAT PIZZA + Simple Salads + Wine + Full Bar

They offer what they are good at- THANK YOU.

ANY and ALL of the pizzas are AMAZING.

So what sets Grimaldi's pizza from other joints? I cant decided:

A) The crust - Salty, CRISP and thin - but can still support the toppings
B) Quality of all the ingredients - you can taste the freshness of the cheese

The atmosphere is appropriate for any occasion
-lunch
-watching the game
-casual dinner with friends
-birthday parties
-If you are going for a casual date - this fits the bill as well

Can't finish your whole pie - the leftovers are just as great!