Anyone have some good recommendations for great Italian food in Houston?

My back yard.

Depends on whether you want authentic or a red sauce joint.

we ate at iL Bracco in the galleria a few months back. Thought it was excellent. great service. pasta was damn good

Authentic for sure

Tillman Fertitta

Da Marco

Panama Red said:

---

Tillman Fertitta

---

I actually audibly laughed

Damian's Cucina Italiana, but be prepared to spend some $$$.

Porta'Vino

That that place in the four seasons?

I took the wife to Damian's years ago and didn't come away that impressed.

Food was fine, but nothing super special. Atmosphere was lacking quite a bit. Something about the old carpet and acoustic ceiling tiles didn't scream "fine dining" to me.

I get that it has a long history in town, but feel like there are better options.

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

---

That that place in the four seasons?

---

No. It is on Washington just north of 10. The food is excellent, but what has drawn me there so many times is they're a wine store too. Their wine prices are in line with a TW or Spec's. Have a pretty damn good selection too

Hard to believe Damian's is still around. That place felt old and dated 20 years ago.

I'm biased cause it's close but Sofia is damn good.

Pappamia ??

RIP

Irish 2.0 said:

---

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

---

That that place in the four seasons?

---

No. It is on Washington just north of 10. The food is excellent, but what has drawn me there so many times is they're a wine store too. Their wine prices are in line with a TW or Spec's. Have a pretty damn good selection too

---

it isn't Italian and it isn't that good

and those *******s ripped off Reef with that milkshake.

Now I want some sliders.

bularry said:

---

Irish 2.0 said:

---

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

---

That that place in the four seasons?

---

No. It is on Washington just north of 10. The food is excellent, but what has drawn me there so many times is they're a wine store too. Their wine prices are in line with a TW or Spec's. Have a pretty damn good selection too

---

it isn't Italian and it isn't that good

---

Meh. To each their own. I know a lot of people that enjoy it. Many of them 'foodie' types. I enjoy it a lot. Guess you don't.

I'd say in no particular order

Roma
Damarco (Postol)
Amore
Bombetta

Heard Marmo is good, not sure it is classically Italian, but they have Italian flavors. Haven't been to Il Bracco, either, but some seem to love it.

If you want just red sauce Italian-American I'd suggest Paulie's... pretty casual but consistently very good



If you want good pasta dishes I would recommend Rosie Cannonball. Not exactly regionally authentic Italian, but everything is excellently done and service is top shelf.

I'm sure there are others I can't think of that are good. There's another place on Westheimer near Montrose I can't think of, been there a long time even though I haven't been in years.... shoot, can't think of it.

It is the same owner that owned Reef, so I imagine he gave himself permission.

Food is fantastic. Don't trust the opinion of anyone that tells you its not that good.

Irish 2.0 said:

---

bularry said:

---

Irish 2.0 said:

---

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

---

That that place in the four seasons?

---

No. It is on Washington just north of 10. The food is excellent, but what has drawn me there so many times is they're a wine store too. Their wine prices are in line with a TW or Spec's. Have a pretty damn good selection too

---

it isn't Italian and it isn't that good

---

Meh. To each their own. I know a lot of people that enjoy it. Many of them 'foodie' types. I enjoy it a lot. Guess you don't.

---

No problems with me if you support it, but I've been and just didn't think of the menu as Italian... no big deal, as said above, very fair wine pricing which I appreciate

is it really? I had no clue

edit...just saw it's Bill Floyd. Heard he came up managing strip clubs so what's not to like.

I was thinking of Caswell.

bularry said:

---

I'd say in no particular order

Roma
Damarco (Postol)
Amore
Bombetta

Heard Marmo is good, not sure it is classically Italian, but they have Italian flavors. Haven't been to Il Bracco, either, but some seem to love it.

If you want just red sauce Italian-American I'd suggest Paulie's... pretty casual but consistently very good



If you want good pasta dishes I would recommend Rosie Cannonball. Not exactly regionally authentic Italian, but everything is excellently done and service is top shelf.

I'm sure there are others I can't think of that are good. There's another place on Westheimer near Montrose I can't think of, been there a long time even though I haven't been in years.... shoot, can't think of it.

---

Giacomo?

Triola's is a new place in the Heights. Absolutely fantastic. And BYOB with no cork fee. It's small as hell so make reservations.

Olive Garden

Reminds me of my college poverty…

man...those breadsticks they handed out while you were waiting were the ****

RIP Fred's Italian Corner

It's been a really long time, but I remember Cavatore being pretty good.

Despite how cheap it was. I just couldn't eat there

bularry said:

---

Irish 2.0 said:

---

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

---

That that place in the four seasons?

---

No. It is on Washington just north of 10. The food is excellent, but what has drawn me there so many times is they're a wine store too. Their wine prices are in line with a TW or Spec's. Have a pretty damn good selection too

---

it isn't Italian and it isn't that good

---

Pray tell, what exactly constitutes "italian" in your world?

digging tunnels said:

---

Despite how cheap it was. I just couldn't eat there

---

Dude, you missed out.

As stated, the bread sticks were the shiznit. So was their baked spaghetti.

Diggity said:

---

I took the wife to Damian's years ago and didn't come away that impressed.

Food was fine, but nothing super special. Atmosphere was lacking quite a bit. Something about the old carpet and acoustic ceiling tiles didn't scream "fine dining" to me.

I get that it has a long history in town, but feel like there are better options.

---

Maybe one day, someone will start a thread soliciting Italian restaurant suggestions and you can share those better options.

Tiilman and Fazoli's have already been mentioned. I have nothing else to offer.

I always liked Piato but haven't been in years

Romanos is an awesome Hole in the wall for great pizza, Alfredo, calzones, and chicken parm.