Wife and kids like Italian food.
Trying to find somewhere to eat before Texas Bowl.
Any recommendations?

Not looking for a wine and dine type place but something better than Olive Garden
TIA

Ah crap just saw the pizza thread.
I'll scroll thru that but any suggestions here be appreciated
Thanks

Rice village has 4 Italian restaurants and one Italian coffee shop. I like D'amicos, simple good pasta and sauce. Prego is N. Italian, little more pricey but very good. Coppa has a great outdoor patio and I think food is good. Last one on Morningside and University I think called Sud, small, nice patio and little elevated in price but still good.

XMinus1 said:

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Mandola's Deli on Leeland - Local Place

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This place is awesome, retro from the 50s. Everything is homemade and made from scratch. Lasagna, Italian sausage, deviled eggs. The guy at the checkout counter is a riot as well

chico said:

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XMinus1 said:

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Mandola's Deli on Leeland - Local Place

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This place is awesome, retro from the 50s. Everything is homemade and made from scratch. Lasagna, Italian sausage, deviled eggs. The guy at the checkout counter is a riot as well

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Yeah go see my cousins. Or if you want to see old Italian Houstonian society types and eat very good but somewhat boring traditional Italian, go see Damian Mandola at Damian's down in midtown-ish.

Damians use to be great.

Maybe still is.

They will cook just about anything

Piatto Ristorante over by the Galleria.

https://piattoristorante.com/

84AGEC said:

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Damians use to be great.

Maybe still is.

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It's still very good but it's what one might call uninspired. It's just traditional Italian executed very well. Nothing ground breaking. Solid meals.


Tell you what, if anyone wants to get adventurous, go to Sacred Heart Society on a Thursday for lunch and get a spaghetti lunch plate.

Sud is now called Roma


Coppa would probably be a good option for the family.

Not at all but a lot of people idea of an awesome restaurant is some new, cutting edge, awesomeness and that's not at all what Damian's is about. Was just trying to set expectations.

Mia Bella in Greeway Plaza is a solid option

https://yelp.to/qTKq/VXVgvOMoH2

For wife & kids pre-game, I would just hit Candelari's at Holcombe & Kirby
https://www.yelp.com/biz/candelaris-pizzeria-houston-2

I like other restaurants mentioned already in general, but this is straight down Kirby from NRG.

I still enjoy Antica Osteria even though Kay's is no longer across the street.

As mentioned already, OG Carrabas on Kirby, D'Amico's in Rice Village and Damians are all great. Also a fan of Capones.

Prima Pasta on Kirby and Holcombe. It's near the medical center, and 2 miles north of NRG stadium.

Fresco Cafe Italiano. It's byob.

http://www.frescocafeitaliano.com/

Gotcha

Olive Garden is probably the best you'll find in this town. We have mediocre Italian food scene overall but OG is great, if we're just judging the quality of the food and not ambiance or interior decor. If you can't enjoy Olive Garden I feel sorry for you. Just the bread sticks and salad are money, but then the entrees hit hard too.

Another vote for D'Amico's in Rice Village

How about Pronto's on Montrose? I'll eat there 2 or 3 times a month. Decent food. Relaxed atmosphere. Not too pricey.

https://yelp.to/qTKq/rVVRizvGI2

1401 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77019

Also a Pronto's on Holcombe & Buffalo Speedway, which is pretty close to NRG.

I'm sticking with Candelari's Kirby as the best suggestion for taking the kids before the game. Though Pronto's is a pretty good idea.

Loading up on Italian food before a football game sounds like a terrible idea.

Shife said:

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Loading up on Italian food before a football fame sounds like a terrible idea.

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Well, the all u tailgate (which is not a tailgate because it's going to be inside NRG) put on by the association is $40 for all you can eat TexMex before the game.

Body By Fisher said:

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Also a Pronto's on Holcombe & Buffalo Speedway, which is pretty close to NRG.

I'm sticking with Candelari's Kirby as the best suggestion for taking the kids before the game. Though Pronto's is a pretty good idea.

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Candelari's is Olive Garden with a wood-fired grill.

Pronto is good takeout but if you want counter service, knock yourself out. We get their roasted chicken takeout for Sunday dinner every few weeks, but if I want their Italian we go to Vincent's, Nino's or Paulie's in that order. same family.

Osteria Antica is awesome but probably a tad too formal for a pregame. Prego and Roma are good, but I'm a huge fan of Nash D'Amico's and have been for years. Nash is a Mandola cousin that looks like the Oates side of Hall and Oates. Half bottle of chianti, chicken braciolentini with a side of pasta with olive oil and garlic. All good.

We were regulars at Ninos and Vincent's. My love is Italian red wine with tomato based pasta but the wine at these two is WAY overpriced. Food is still good though. Ate at Paulies a month ago and it must have been a bad night as the pasta really was uneatable. Should have sent it back but thought it would be better the next day....... Not.