Any of you dorks know of any nice, upscale, romantic Italian restaurants in Houston that actually serve pasta? Last night I went to Aldo's Con Amore on Westhiemer. Excellent service and food was really good. But the food is not really Italian you know. I had steak and my girlfriend (shut up DOD) had some kind of chicken. They did not really have pasta. I have also been to Da Marcos and they did not have pasta. Do all upscale Italian restaurants not serve pasta or what? Anyways for those of you looking for a romantic restaurant Aldo's Con Amore is definitely a good choice. Renovated into a restaurant from a house. Its nice and small with some chick playing som big ass instrument. For dinner they offer a preset five course meal. Tad bid expensive, but the food is good. So any suggestions? Also has anyone been to Fuad and if so how is it?
Josephine's @ Dallas & Caroline, downtown! Kind of an old skool Italian place...this place is da bomb!! Nice atmosphere, tables with candles, EXCELLENT pasta meals, good wine list. Lunch has a limited menu and not nearly as good as Dinner, stay away from lunch or you'll be dissapointed. Great for a first date to impress or an anniversary type thing with your old lady
It's not exactly upscale, but I've got 3 words for you**: Antonio's Flying Pizza I'm also partial to Carrabba's . Of course, no Italian restaurant in Houston can hold a candle to what NYC has to offer... **usually "I've got 3 words for you" = James Coney Island
There's a small, quaint Italian restaurant called Patranella's off of Washington between Shepherd and Studemont. I've never eaten there, but I'm told they have some of the best Italian in town. It's a really small place and it's basically a converted house. It's supposed to be an awesome Mom & Pop type place... good luck please let us know where you decided to go and how the food was!!!! rH
Does anyone out there remember PappaMia's?? It was an Italian place owned by the Pappa's family/chain of restaurants?? They are since closed down, but I thought that used to be a really good Italian place... Corelli's on Kirby (where the old Pizzeria Uno used to be) absolutely sucks! Don't go there.. Prima Pasta in Bellaire used to have really good pasta! I ate there about 3 years ago, pretty good. Cafe Express has good pastas! Not Italian but a decent place for a casual date... good luck rH
I know you were talking to the "dorks of the BBS," [Pause for effect.] but Prego's in Rice Village is great! I ordered a seafood pasta and the next thing I know, my table-mates were picking in my plate. University (What time is lunch?) Blue
Romano's Macaroni Grill Zio's on Bay Area Blvd. My parents said that Perry's Italian Grill is awesome... Olive Garden gets a lot of flack for being a "chain" resturant, but they have some damn good food. Their alfredo sauce is like heroine...That stuff should be illegal...
I concour with mr_oily and rockHEAD: Patronella's is great and so is Josephine's. George's Pastaria (Voss @ Westheimer) and Mario's Flying Pizza in Webster are both terrific too.
-Went to Romanos once and there was like a 90 min wait. -Zios is the favourite of my girlfriends; only 5 min from my house. Food is excellent, but it is not really romantic if you know what I mean. - Perrys Italian Grill SUCKS! (Perrys Steakhouse Rocks though!) - Olive Garden is bad ass, but I am looking for a nice, romantic restaurant. Some other Italian restaurants that are rated high in Houston: Amerigo's Grill Arcodoro Damians La Trattoria Luigis Osteria D'Aldo Railroad Cafe (converted from a jailhouse ) Oily, Rock and Pole your suggestions sound good. Fabios is right accros from Aldo's so I think I might try that next.
I guess I need to start a new Steakhouse thread to get any input on Fuad? Damn vegetarians on this thread!
Actually--you may not like my opinion as I enjoyed my experience at Perry's Italian Grill I will say this though...I didn't have pasta, so I can't judge that, and I've only been there once. I've been to Perry's Steakhouse many times though, and I definitely can agree that it Rocks! From salad to dessert, that place is excellent. Though my one experience at the Italian Grill can't compare, I would never say that it sucks. I can eat Olive Garden food if that's where everyone is going, but I'd never choose that place on my own. But as chains go, Macaroni Grill and Caraba's are both excellent!...still I wouldn't call them romantic. One I haven't tried, but is supposed to have both great food and an excellent Romantic setting: La Mora
Well maybe I was a little harsh on Perry Italian Grill. They have excellent service and ambience is also top notch. Maybe the dish I ordered just sucked? Carrabas is excellent however. Do you live in Clear Lake Pole? Cause I do.
damians cucina is damn fine food and for the most part authentic italian with a modern twist...but oh so good and expensive...
I'd also recommend Grotto and La Griglia (expensive but well worth it). Olive Garden is ass. Macaroni Grill is a much better chain. Pappamia was great (with their family style portions). Used to be one right near I-10 and Gessner (it's now a Goode Company Seafood joint). Tony Mandola's was also great, but it's now a seafood place.
I cannot believe no one has mentions "Michealangelo's" on Westheimer near Ruggles (just about a block away). The prices are very reasonable. The food is amazing, especially their sauces (heaven). The atmosphere could be considered romantic. The service is above average. Good wine list. It is my personal favorite Italian place.
