7800 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 360-7480 portavinohouston.com
The building buzz about Porta’Vino required an immediate visit, and not only was I pleased, I was super-impressed. On a recent weekend night, every table inside and on the outside verandah was full. Servers were genial and professional, and on top of the delicious food, diners are welcome to bring their own wine, with a standard corkage fee applied. Very limited wine by the glass is available, but there are a good selection of full bottles for sale, if you forget your own. Shareables: *Cornflake calamari-pepperoncini, calabrese remoulade * Roasted garlic plate-focaccia, house mix triple cream cheese, whole roasted garlic, spiced pecans, greens * Calabrese crispy shrimp, andouille sausage, Calabrian chili aioli * Polpette, house-made meatballs, marinara, pecorino Green Stuff: * Ella’s Caesar * Iceberg “The Slice” lettuce * Summer Panzanella salad, heirloom tomato, cucumber, red onion, avocado, charred corn, Kalamata olives, lime vinaigrette Pizza: * Basilico tomato * Il Tutto (the works) * Spinach-artichoke, roasted red pepper, feta * Hot chick, spicy Calabrian peppers, grilled chicken * Cauliflower crust: available on all pizza Pasta: * Diavolo spaghetti, spicy marinara, shrimp, olives, scallions * Spaghetti & meatballs * Lasagna-Ricotta, Wagyu beef & marinara sauce * Hunter wild boar, Bolognese, pappardelle, Parmigiano, mushrooms Mains: Jackson St. smoked pork chop, seasonal harvest, black peppercorn mashers * Shrimp & grits-Grand Marnier sauce, sage polenta * Grilled salmon, avocado, cucumber relish, spinach polenta, lemon drizzle * Veal & risotto, roasted asparagus & artichoke risotto * Seared diver scallops, golden beet risotto w Dijon * Baramundi sea bass, seasonal harvest Sweets: Medium rare brownie * Coconut cream pie * Milkshake “no minors”, adult shake w fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies
