No 28 Pizzeria & Vineria Highland Village →

3974 Westheimer Houston, TX 77027 713.485.5248 n28highlandvillage.com

Across from the Apple Store and behind Crate & Barrel, No28 offers easy parking and an outside patio with a European feel. Inside seating is cozy with a wine bar that looks like a good place to meet & greet. Young eager servers, who could use a bit more formal training, will deliver your meal, which is excellently prepared in this Italian kitchen. You will be impressed with the food, and the prices are reasonable, considering we are on the edge of River Oaks and in a silk stocking shopping ‘village’. Insalata * Alla Cesare * Rucola e parmigiano * Misto verde * Siciliana, mixed greens, romaine, albacore tuna, cherry tomato, red onions, navy beans, pepperoncini vinaigrette * Caprese * Caponata * Prosciutto di Parma * Olive marinate * House selection of cheeses, cured meats, olives, walnuts, truffle infusd honey, crostini * Entrees * Lasagna Bolognese * Cacio e pepe, spaghetti alla chitarra tossed w pecorino cheese, black pepper, a touch of butter, and served in a pecorino cheese wheel * Pappardelle alla Bolognese, ribbon past tossed in savor meat sauce * Spinach & cheese ravioli, light tomato & cream sauce * Gnocchi al pesto * Porchetta (ch pronounced ‘k’ in Italian), roasted pork belly wrapped around a pork loin, stuffed w fresh herbs, mista verde salad and fries * Eggplant parmigiana, lasagna style, tomato sauce, basis, fresh mozzarella * Pollo alla Parmigiana * Pizze speciali * Numerous delicious varieties * Desserts * Cannoli shells filled w ricotta, chocolate chips * Tiramisu * Chocolate tart * Gelato, assorted flavors * Shot of espresso

Postino Uptown Park →

1151 Uptown Park Blvd. Houston 77056 713.965.7929 postinowinecafe.com

If you were like me, you wondered why Starbucks left this location and what business could possibly generate equal or better traffic into this prime corner of the trendy Uptown Park development? Well, now we know, and it is Postino, which unless I miss my guess, will fill the gap left by disappearance of the once boomingly successful Tasting Room-also a wine café. Postino Uptown Park is a large space- divided into different sections-including an inviting patio, a bar, and spacious indoor seating. If the location in The Heights is any indication, this Postino will soon be a hopping ‘meet-and-greet’ Mecca. Appetizers * Olives snack, blend of five different varieties * Meatballs & goat cheese * OMG Grilled cheese, layered gruyere, brie, goat, white cheddar, smoked bacon, and creamy tomato soup dip * Skewers snack, grilled petit filet & chicken skewer, Sicilian garlic yogurt, olive oil * Bruschetta & boards * The Bounty, roasted carrot, cauliflower, broccolini, sweet pepper, blistered Brussels sprouts, roasted artichokes, watermelon radish, spicy marcona almonds, green goddess dressing * Chef’s charcuterie, prosciutto di Parma, Spanish chorizo, salami, truffle burrata, chef’s cheese pick, olive, heart of palm, charred artichoke, blistered sweet pepper, crostini, lavash bread *Paninis * Chicken mozzarella * Nine iron, smoked bacon, roasted chicken, fresh stracciatella, mixed greens, tomato * Roasted turkey * Tuscan tuna * Vegetarian * Half panini, half salad * Salads * Caesar * Hannah’s field salad, kale, quinoa, Fuji apple, apricot, toasted almonds, pecorino stagionato, picked red onion with apple cider mustard vinaigrette * Raspberry chicken salad, pecans, gorgonzola, mayo * Desserts * Chocolate bouchon, vanilla bean ice cream * Crème brulee * Salted caramel sundae * A large assortment of wines and beers are waiting for you at Postino to accompany the light food items, and…it’s about the wine and fellowship at Postino

Lulu’s →

2518 Kirby Drive Houston 77019 713.590.7350 lulustx.com

Affiliated with Armando’s in the same center at Kirby & Westheimer, Lulu’s is a charming little boutique restaurant with a limited and delicious Italian menu right on the edge of River Oaks. Just as Armando’s has a country cousin branch in Round Top (Mandito’s), Lulu’s does as well, right on the Town Square. Back in Houston, an inviting bar and a genial barman offer a meet and greet opportunity to ‘ladies who lunch’ and to the dinner crowd. This hot little spot is off and running, so do make a reservation-on a recent Monday lunch every table was taken. Piccolos * Meatballs over soft polenta, shaved Padano cheese * Calamari frito, glazed with balsamic * Antipasto, three meats, three cheeses, fruit, pickled red onion, fresh bread * Soup of the day * Pizza * Pepperoni * Margherita * Prosciutto & arugula * Pastas * Bucatini w cherry tomatoes, guanchale, aged pecorino * Spaghetti vongole, clams, parsley * Carbonara *Radiatore caccio e pepe, pecorino, toasted black pepper * Lobster ravioli * Insalata * Grilled Caesar, lightly charred * Arugula & pear * Burrata, baby beets, vincotto, basil oil * Secondi * Braised short rib, soft polenta, roasted baby carrots * Grilled branzino, baby spinach, grilled lemon, salsa verde * Chicken Marsala, mushrooms, mashed potato, marsala jus * Black Angus tenderloin, cipollini mushroom agrodolce, pancetta, cheese fonduta * Dolce * Tiramisu * Bomboloni, Italian fried doughnut with side of crème anglaise * House gelato of the day

Amalfi →

6100 Westheimer Houston 77057 713.532.2201 amalfihouston.com

When we reviewed Amalfi six years ago, it was a start-up neighborhood spot next to Briargrove, operated by the chef-owner with his lovely and hospitable wife as door hostess. We predicted a good future, and now this prediction has come true and then some, as the restaurant has moved to the next level and is squarely situated among the finer Italian restaurants in the city. On a recent Tuesday night (lucky we reserved!), Amalfi was packed. A discrete pianist crooned Italian favorites to the busy and contented diners, while they enjoyed their meals. The scene reminded me of Manhattan. Antipasti * Black Angus roast beef carpaccio drizzled w lemon olive oil dressing, arugula salad, wild mushrooms, topped with parmesan shavings * Calamari fritti, lightly fried rings and green beans w marinara sauce * Grilled fresh Maine lobster tail over Belgian endive salad, green asparagus * Deep fried roman style artichoke, arugula salad, white wine vinaigrette, burrata cheese, heirloom tomatoes * Mediterranean octopus roasted w rosemary, garlic, and fine herbs * Bluefin tuna poke tossed w olive oil, sesame seeds, sea salt, & fig infused balsamic vinegar dressing, w roasted red beet salad & basil pesto mousse * Crudo * East coast oysters, raw or roasted in wood burning oven * Combo of yellow fin tuna, Hamachi, & Scottish salmon marinated w lemon olive oil & chives, served over carpaccio tomatoes, truffle cream dressing & black truffle shavings * Scampi alla griglia, langoustine scampi marinated & grilled * Pan roasted branzino w baby zucchini, or Gulf red snapper * Grilled baby lamb chops, chive mashed potatoes * Veal scallopini, sauteed w butter & sage, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables * Roasted boneless suckling pig, rolled in garlic, topped w caramelized onions * Carne * 16 oz. Hereford NY strip, marinated w rosemary, garlic, & grain mustard * 24 oz. black Angus Porterhouse * Half free-range chicken slowly roasted in wood burning oven w garlic, thyme, & rosemary * Paste & Risotto * Spaghetti w clams & tomato basil lemon sauce * Pappardelle w Texas wild boar ragu * Risotto w porcini mushroom, east coast sea diver scallops, butter & thyme * Traditional Roman pasta tonnarelli tossed w roasted organic pork belly, creamy pecorino cheese & black pepper * Ravioli filled w artichoke, kale, mushroom, vegan mozzarella, w fresh tomato sauce and sauteed shredded zucchini * Insalata * Fresh spring mix * Arugula, goat cheese, candied tomatoes, Belgian endive, olive oil dressing * Amalfitana, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp, heirloom tomatoes & lemon olive oil dressing * Contorni (vegetables) * Half-shell baked eggplant w oregano & garlic, melted buffalo mozzarella & cherry tomato sauce * Truffle fries * Roasted rosemary potatoes * Sauteed spinach * Green asparagus * Pizza * Gluten-free cauliflower crust w choice of toppings * Margherita * Salame * Funghi * Diavola

Fiori →

4315 Montrose, Houston, TX 77006 (832) 729-5594 fiorihtx.com

Yes, “Fiori” means “flowers” in Italian, and that is just what will greet you at the entrance to the restaurant, behind the hostess stand: an explosion of colorful flowers, including tall stems of orchids and many other blooms. Like the delicious items on the menu, the small but vivid arrangements are available for purchase. Fiori’s owner, who stopped by our table on a recent visit, is a genial former banker (over 20 years) from Milano, who followed his dream, assembled an Italian culinary team, and came to Houston to open this little gem of a restaurant. It is located in the strip center owned by La Colombe d’Or owner Steve Zimmerman, and the hotel’s celeb general manager Sergio Ortiz suggested we try Fiori and its authentic dishes from northern Italy, and we were very happy we did. Antipasti * Mussels, lemon, black pepper * Mixed salad w caramelized walnuts, poached pear, blue cheese * Burrata frita, tomato, basil * Cacio e pepe, pecorino romano, fresh pepper * Spaghetti carbonara, guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino romana, black pepper * Artichoke, olive oil, parsley * Prawns, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes * Selection of cheeses & cured meats * Vegetable risotto, scallops * Caprese salad * Secondi * Costolette d’agnello fritte, fried lamb, mixed greens * Saltimbocca / Veal prosciutto, sage * Cotoletta alla Milanese con rucola * Scallops, insalata mista * Branzino alla griglia * Filete di angus * Red snapper w insalata, lemon, pepper, olive oil * Verdura * Patate arrosto * Braised Brussels sprouts * Carote Arrosta * Dolce * Torta chioccolato con gelato * Torta limone con gelato * Crema di marscapone e marsala * Practice your Italian * Park next door at Chase Bank

Napoli’s Wine Café →

4601 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 434-6305 napoliswinecafe.com

The night we stopped in for a family birthday party, there was a tango class in progress with two tango singers and professional and amateur dancers-quite a night…and the food was amazing as well. Large and varied menu, with reasonable prices. Antipasti * Scampi w sundried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, topped w crab meat * Fried calamari * Chicken marsala meatballs * Spinach & artichoke dip * Crab cakes * Tuna tartare * Lobster risotto * Fried mozzarella * Brochette board-choose 4 out of large selection * Boards * Vegetarian * Meats, imported & domestic * Cheeses * Zuppa * Del mare * Di Zucchini * Lobster bisque * Insalata * Organic quinoa * Grilled vegetable * Grilled chicken Caesar * Grilled calamari, shrimp, salmon, or tuna * Signature steaks * Grilled veal chop * New Zealand lamb chop * Filet mignon-8 oz. * Premium Rib-eye-12 oz. * Seafood Grill * Shrimp scampi * Salmon piccata * Red snapper * Carbonara d’Mar * Shrimp fettucini Alfredo * Linguini pescatori * Entrees * Boneless short rib * Eggplant pomodoro * Chicken rollantini a la vodka * Veal marsala * Eggplant, chicken, or veal parmigiana * Veal piccata * Chicken fettucine Alfredo * Chicken pasta Napoli * Lasagna * Spaghetti * Tortellini * Ravioli * Panini & pizza: various * Desserts * Cannoli * Italian cream cake * Carrot cake * Chocolate mousse cake * Convenient parking in the garage behind the restaurant

D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe

5510 Morningside Drive (Rice Village), Houston, TX 77005 (713) 526-3400 damico-cafe.com

For 46 years the D’Amico family has had at least one restaurant operating in our area. The current one, which combines a restaurant and a full Italian deli, has been serving happy customers for twenty years, and is in the hands of Nash D’Amico and his lovely daughter Brina. Appetizers * Antipasto all’Italiana, risotto balls, grilled eggplant, fried zucchini, roasted red peppers, grilled vegetables, imported meats & cheeses * Calamari * Crab claws * Fried cheese ravioli * Fried crawfish ravioli * Tomato & goat cheese bruschetta * Steamed mussels * House favorites * Chicken Romano * Chicken Braciolentini, rolled stuffed breast w Italian sausage, cheese, spinach, fresh basil in a brown lemon butter sauce, linguini marinara * Parmesan, eggplant, chicken, veal, or shrimp w choice of spaghetti or fettuccini Alfredo * Eggplant Bolognese, breaded w veal sauce, sauteed spinach & spaghetti * Vegetable plate * Chicken or veal piccata * Chicken or veal Marsala * Stuffed poblano peppers, crabmeat, shrimp, ricotta cheese, shallots, garlic, in lemon butter white wine sauce, served w linguini * Risotto di Gamberi, jumbo shrimp w Shitake mushroom sauce * Snapper D’Amico * Grilled salmon * Osso bucco, served over steamed Arborio rice & sauteed spinach * Salads * Caesar * Grilled chicken Caesar * Caprese * Crab & avocado * Bubba * Marilyn * Mediterranean * Pasta * Spaghetti w meatballs or sausage * Gnocchi, w choice of chicken, sausage, or shrimp * Rigatoni Carmine, w Italian sausage, broccoli, Roma tomatoes, garlic * Linguini w clam sauce * Pasta pomodori * Penne asparagus * Linguini diavolo, shrimp, mussels, squid, crab claws, anchovies, green olives in a spicy marinara sauce * Pappardelle pesto, sauteed shrimp w flat egg pasta tossed i fresh basil pesto, pine nuts, fontinella cheese * Traditional meat lasagne * Cheese ravioli * Tortellini Genovese, spinach pasta w pancetta and mortadella in Alfredo sauce, prosciutto, & green peas * Pizza * Numerous delicious varieties * Sandwiches * Subs-Italian, Sausage & peppers, Parmesan w eggplant or chicken * Muffaletta * Hoagie po-boy * Corleone panini-turkey, provolone, lettuce, & tomato* Sicilian panini* Chicken avocado panini *