Dallas' Best Italian Food 2008

One of the city’s most romantic eateries delivers confident fare, respectful service and an intimate, beautiful setting.

Reviews:

• " true ITALIAN"
• “Review from Mrs. Astrid Merriman”
• “VERY romantic!”
• “Charming place”
• “Best wine list, best variety of appetizers and main menu at a fair price, always need reservations.”

Adelmo’s Ristorante or email Adelmo’s Ristorante

Lower Greenville Italian restaurant meets jazz club in an art deco setting.

Reviews:

• “Waited too long just to be dissapointed”
• “Cool Atmosphere…but loud!!”
• “Intimate Atmosphere”
• “best steak and martinis in town”
• “A Favorite”

Tips: Terilli’s is loud and crowded during nights and weekends. Call a day ahead to reserve a table in the back.

Terilli’s or email Terilli’s

Featuring a shaded patio and full bar, Italian restaurant serves house specialties including marinated veal chop and garlic crust pizza.

Reviews:

• “Best Italian restaurant in Addison”
• “great customer service”
• “The very best Tiramisu”
• “Every Thing is great”
• “Early or Late, the experience is great!”

Antonio Ristorante or email Antonio Ristorante

Sophisticated interpretations of rustic Italian fare served in chic environs make this a top destination at Plano’s Shops At Legacy.

Reviews:

• “It was fantastic”
• “Exquisite authentic Italian cuisine”
• “Great service! "
• “All around EXCELLENT!”
• “Definitely will recommend it to all our friends”

Tips: The wine list leans heavily on the regions of Italy and California. Pineto Brachetto d’Aqui, a refreshing sparkling red wine is ideal for Dallas’ weather. Blood Orange Cosmo, Italian Dream, Chocolate Covered Cherry and Pinkcello are just a few of their delicious specialty drinks.

Nicola’s Ristorante Italiano or email Nicola’s Ristorante Italiano

Old-World elegance and natural ingredients distinguish this chef-owned Oak Lawn restaurant from other local Italian eateries.

Reviews:

• “Very disappointing”
• “Elegant but Comfortable Ambience”
• “Good Place to eat, if you’re over 30”
• “Not great for the price paid”
• “Incredible place for that special date or romantic dinner anytime.”

Tips: You can skip valet and park in the Bank One building’s parking garage.

Daniele Osteria or email Daniele Osteria

Casual and romantic Italian restaurant in Plano dishes popular pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as tasty dessert treats.

Reviews:

• “Excellent Potato Soup”
• “Family atmosphere, unique, relaxed experience, great food”
• “Slow service”
• “Disappointed”
• “Friendly neighborhood Italian restaurant”

Tips: Be sure to save room for dessert as numerous tasty treats are available on the dessert menu.

Paesano’s Restaurant

Authentic Italian fare in warm, rustic surroundings draws a cosmopolitan crowd to this inviting Knox-Henderson spot.

Reviews:

• “absolutely love it”
• “Perfect Date Spot!”
• " Good Food, Good Wine,Good Atmosphere,Fair Service"
• “The best European style bistro in Dallas!”
• “Snooty service outweighs the decent food”

Tips: Glasses of wine are just $3 per glass every day until 5pm.

Taverna or email Taverna

Romantic views, fair prices, outstanding service and flawless northern Italian cuisine combine for a near-perfect dining experience.

Reviews:

• “Great italian Food”
• “Easter Brunch Major Disappointment”
• “misled but placated”
• “Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be”
• “Fabulous Italian food”

Tips: Most tables have water views, but ask for it when you make reservations.

Mi Piaci

Authentic, un-Americanized Italian fare in a villa-like setting makes this family-owned restaurant a gem.

Reviews:

• “BEst food and BEST Hospitality”

Tips: The owners also runs Grano Italian Bakery & Cafe in Plano.

Ferrari’s Italian Villa

Neighborhood Italian bistro in Lakewood offers an intimate atmosphere, plus hefty pastas and pizzas at modest prices.

Reviews:

• “WORST SERVICE and EXPERIENCE”
• “Great place to eat anything Italian.”
• “A Taste of Little Italy in Lakewood”
• “Awesome Pizza, Great Date Night Restaurant”
• “Worst experience ever in a restaurant”

Tips: Take advantage of the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for $6.49.

Angelo’s Italian Grill

Families mix seamlessly with an adult clientele at this Highland Park Italian favorite.

Reviews:

• “BEWARE”
• “Feels like home (if your home is a villa in tuscany)”
• “Still a great place "
• “avoid at all costs”
• “Everything was Okay…”

Tips: Patrizio serves the special Bellini: A deliciously smooth and fruity combination of champagne, peach nectar and peach schnapps.

Patrizio

Kitschy old world-style restaurant dishes predictable Italian classics in a comfy family atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Changes at this favored restaurant !!”
• “You get seated right away 99% of the time, now that’s great customer service. "
• “Forever Favorite”
• “Great date spot”
• “Not fancy, just good!”

Tips: Carb-watchers can ask for the Tilapia (smothered in savory garlic and herbs) with vegetables rather than a side of pasta.

Two Guys From Italy

Longtime Dallas restaurateurs Efisio and Francesco Farris preside over a rustic Sardinian retreat minutes from downtown.

Reviews:

• “Major Attitude from the Owner/Chef and Awful Bread”
• “Best Anniversary EVER!”
• “Slow service administered by a self important staff”
• “great food, impeccable service”
• “BEST EVER”

Tips: Pomodoro is the more formal dining room, separated from the entrance by a corridor passing a private table nestled in a wine cellar.

Arcodoro & Pomodoro

Lively nightly music, a glass patio and fresh Mediterranean fare—it’s always summer at this tiny Uptown bistro.

Reviews:

• “Poor Service”
• “Wonderful food, Beautiful setting, Great service!”
• “great food, romantic setting, good service”
• “Very Romantic!”

Tips: Try the featured wine. It’s always on display, like a jewel, under lights.

Avanti Ristorante

Classic Italian and contemporary American dishes attract Park Cities residents to this chic Oak Lawn supper club.

Reviews:

• “Best List by the Glass, Best Cocktails, Genuine and Professional Service, Food ROCKS! Definitely Go….”
• “The Mansion duo brings The Club to new heights”
• “superlative dining experience”
• “The Club a breath of fresh air for Dallas restauants”
• “Step outside the box”

Tips: If you are out for a romantic night, be sure to request a banquette in the back room. The booths in the front have an unobstructed view of the plasma TV behind the bar which may prove too distracting.

The Club or email The Club

Seasoned restaurateur, Robert Colombo, showcases organic Italian cuisine on the popular Travis Walk.

Reviews:

• “A Stormy Dining Experience!”
• “Great Patio Drinking!”
• “Worst restaurant in town”
• “Terrible Service”
• “A New Favorite!”

Tips: Sunday is family day; any age guest can order from a special three-course menu with unlimited portions for only $15.95.

Villa-O

Local students fill this Park Cities hangout to enjoy specialty pizzas.

Reviews:

• “Best pizza offerings in the USA”
• “I’ll be back!!!!!”
• “Great Food”
• “Heavenly Pizza”
• “WOW! Now that’s Italian!”

Tips: Because of its cramped environs, Stromboli isn’t truly equipped to handle groups larger than four or five.

Stromboli Cafe

Addison staple has been quietly dishing up comfort food alla Toscana for years.

Reviews:

• “This is a bad restaurant towards black people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
• “Beautiful”

Tips: Don’t forget the vini rossi: Andiamo offers nearly 200 wines, and servers know their stuff.

Andiamo Italian Bar & Grill

Upbeat staff, hefty portions and beautiful location sell this casually opulent bistro to hip locals and tourists.

Reviews:

• “crescent court delight”
• “A really good time!”
• “Casual Upscale Dining”
• “A place to be seen, that’s about it”
• “Just for the trout”

Tips: Stop in for a three-course “Pre-Game” dinner for $18.95 before all Stars and Mavericks games. Or come in Monday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 5:30pm-6pm, and get the same deal.

Palomino

Small pizza shop near West Village dishes authentic thin crust pies made with fresh Italian ingredients.

Reviews:

• “Inconsistent service”
• " Possibly Authetic Italian, But…"
• “Great food, pretty pricey”
• “Fresh Ingredients & Tasty”
• “Pizza Straight from Napoli, Italia”

Tips: Bring a bottle of wine with you, there’s no corking fee.

Campania Pizza & More

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