Houston's Best Italian Food 2008

Expect elegant European styling and redefined Italian favorites at this Uptown Park eatery.

Reviews:

• “Great waiter, wonderful food”
• “Great food & great service”
• “My Take On Arturo’s”
• “Good food, but the upselling is annoying”
• “BEST CRAB CAKES EVER!!!”

Tips: Sample the varied wine menu or a mixed cocktail from the bar. House specialties include after-dinner coffee drinks.

Arturo’s Uptown Italiano or email Arturo’s Uptown Italiano

High prices are warranted at this plush Italian restaurant, where service shines and food gratifies.

Reviews:

• “Great location”
• “Romantic atmosphere, Excellent food!”
• “Fabulous Sunday Brunch”
• “Good Experience”
• “Excelelnt food and ambience”

Tips: Best buy: A prix-fixe menu ($45 per person) takes you through five courses.

Sorrento Ristorante Italiano or email Sorrento Ristorante Italiano

A contemporary Italian bistro in a quaint Westheimer cottage.

Reviews:

• “Disrespectful and condescending service. "
• “Truly excellent”
• “Pretentious restaurant, expensive and bad food”
• “Outstanding!!”
• “Italianisimo!!!”

Tips: The business lunch special is a three-course treat for a mere $22.

Da Marco Cucina E Vino

This casual Sicilian-American chain’s flagship location has been a Houston favorite since 1986.

Reviews:

• “THIS is Carrabba’s!!!”
• “Wonderful Italian – NOT part of the chain, thankfully”
• “this isn’t the Carrabba’s I know”
• “Long Time Fav”
• “Incredible Cuisine and great service”

Tips: Snag a seat at the slick bar near the open kitchen to watch the show.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

The other Johnny Carrabba brings us a lively, Galleria-area ristorante.

Reviews:

• “Perfect example of a well run establishment”
• “One of the best kept secrets…”
• “Wonderful place to bring family!”
• “Fantastic place to eat”
• “This place is great!!!”

Tips: Offers monthly wine dinner menus.

Piatto Ristorante or email Piatto Ristorante

Casual family dining with modern Italian food and specialty pizzas.

Reviews:

• ""The Best""
• “Fantastico”
• “Love the Ambiance”
• “Big Disapointment for Italian/Pizza”
• “Even the picky paysans would love this place”

Campioni Restaurant or email Campioni Restaurant

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Interesting decor, decent italian food and drinks”
• “WORSE ITALIAN FOOD”
• “worst place in town”
• “Won’t Return”
• “So not recommended”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

Solid Italian fare in a remodeled farmhouse makes for an impressive Galleria-area experience.

Reviews:

• “F+”
• “My favorite Italian spot in Houston”
• “Not so hot…”
• “Phenomenal Italian Experience”
• “Elegant, Relaxing & Romantic”

Tips: Ask to reserve the wine room for a group, from eight to 14.

Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana or email Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana

A cozy, neighborhood Italian cafe known for its outstanding pizza and B.Y.O.B. policy.

Reviews:

• “Love this place!”
• “Terrible delivery service!”
• “I can’t get enough”
• “Best date place in Houston!”
• “Two words….LOVE IT!”

Tips: Free Delivery is offered in the southwest Inner Loop, including Greenway Plaza, River Oaks, the Galleria, Montrose, West University and Bellaire.

Collina’s Italian Cafe

Perched on the edge of downtown, this eatery balances novelty Italian with a palatable sophisticated freshness.

Reviews:

• “Best Italian Restaurant in Houston/Superb Service and Friendliness”
• “Classic Italian Done Right”
• “Awesome Chef’s Table”
• “Best Italian Food in town”
• “great food, better service”

Damian’s Cucina Italiana

Clint would approve of this laid-back pasta joint featuring Americanized Italian chow.

Reviews:

• “Good Food, Horrible Service”
• “Nice Atmosphere”
• “Awesome Food – Superb Value – great neighborhood vibe”
• “Not up to the Hype”
• “The Theme was really cool.”

Tips: Wines by the glass are generous, affordable and well selected. The Amaretto-kissed Italian margaritas whip typical Mexican ’ritas.

The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe or email The Spaghetti Western Italian Cafe

A comfortable blend of Italian grocery store, deli and cafe in the heart of Rice Village.

Reviews:

• “best pasta and clams”
• “awesome food, awesome atmosphere”
• “Great for Take-Out!”
• “Great Place – What a Surprise!”
• “Appalling attitude – don’t go.”

D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe

This Montrose hideaway has set the standard for romantic Italian dining since 1969.

Reviews:

• “Decent Atmosphere, Decent Food…so so”
• “Super Romantic Date”
• “Always Divine”
• “AWEFUL!!!!!!”
• “Most Romantic Restaurant I Know”

Tips: Sunday brunch is served 11am-2pm. You can order off the regular menu, too, and enjoy bottomless mimosas and champagne until 3pm.

Michelangelo’s Restaurant

Family-friendly chain serves up hearty Italian-American favorites.

Reviews:

• “No Way”
• “Great place to go in groups”
• “Value for the Money”
• “Very rude staff, Food is low quality, Slow service”
• “It is okay”

Tips: The Warehouse serves a number of specialty cocktails, including the Italian margarita with a dash of amaretto.

The Spaghetti Warehouse

This little slice of Italy is a gem among chains, vying to make pies you can’t refuse.

Reviews:

• “Best. Cheese. Pizza. Anywhere. Period.”
• “Awsome”
• “You must be kidding…”
• “My first choice for pizza in a city where you can get it everywhere”
• “the owners,”

Romano’s Pizza

A drop-in-anytime River Oaks nook dishing up comforting American-Italian classics.

Reviews:

• “Great place but…..”
• “Nice Brunch, Quiet and Enjoyable”
• “Best Pizza I Have Ever Had (the first time)”
• “Downhill”
• “A Nice Surprise on a Gloomy Day”

Tips: Sunday brunch also features $3 mimosas and Bellinis.

Palazzo’s Trattoria River Oaks or email Palazzo’s Trattoria River Oaks

This Rice neighborhood favorite brings in the crowds for its uncomplicated Italian fare.

Reviews:

• “Nice Italian Neighborhood Restaurant”
• “Great Brunch!”
• “Best restaurant in Rice Village”
• “A Treasure Close to Home”
• “This restaurant does it RIGHT.”

Tips: Pair the food wonders with one of the 20 or so wines by the glass, or choose from an astounding assortment of global bottles on the award-winning list.

Prego Italian Cuisine