- What makes Italian food popular in Houston?
- Houston has a large Italian population, particularly from Sicily, contributing to the city's rich Italian culinary heritage.
- Are there any famous Italian families in Houston's food scene?
- Yes, family names such as Petronella, Vallone, and D’Amico have become synonymous with Italian food in Houston.
- Are there any notable Italian chefs in Houston?
- Yes, chefs like Arturo Boada and Marco Wiles have gained recognition for their contributions to Houston's Italian dining scene.
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1. Paulie's Restaurant
Paulie's Restaurant is a casual, counter-service Italian restaurant that packs a lot of flavor into their dishes. Guests are greeted by giant chalkboards listing all the menu items, which include salads, sandwiches, paninis, pastas, pizzas, main entrees, and desserts. After ordering, diners take a seat and food servers deliver their selections when they’re ready. The extensive menu appeals to any appetite, offering everything from a grilled cheese with fries to a traditional Italian Hoagie with ham, Genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncinis, and oregano. Traditional entrées include Chicken Piccata and Canestri alla Funghi.
1834 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-807-7271
2. Giacomo's Cibo e Vino
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino is a classic neighborhood-style Italian Café that specializes in small plates of both the hot and cold variety designed to be shared. Every dish is prepared using the best local and imported natural ingredients available and made fresh each day. They focus on providing “big flavors” that give vegetables the opportunity to play the main character with the meats and seafood playing supporting roles. Ratatouille and Tonno e Fagioli are a sample of the cold dishes found on the menu. Hot dishes include Gamberi al Diavola and Salsiccia di Pollo – grilled chicken galantine served over frisée and arugula.
3215 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-522-1934
3. Arturo Boada Cuisine
Arturo Boada Cuisine is a stunning boutique restaurant in Houston created by Bouda himself offering a vibrant ambiance filled with color and a menu full of flavor. Guests will enjoy diverse offerings of pizza, tapas, and signature Italian dishes. Their wood burning oven fires authentic pizzas such as Italian sausage with fresh fennel and spicy diavola sauce. Their eclectic tapas menu features everything from ceviche and calamari to Beef Blue and Papas Bravas. In addition, they boast a selection of pastas, meats, and seafood dishes like their Snapper Al Fresco, sautéed with fresh tomato, basil, garlic, and capers and topped with jumbo lump crab meat.
6510 Del Monte Street, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-782-3011
4. Da Marco Cucina E Vino
Da Marco Cucina E Vino is an upscale Italian restaurant where patrons indulge in a daring menu created by Chef Marco Wiles. The restaurant is featured in dozens of magazines for his innovative dishes, and guests will find everything from sea urchin to smoky lamb chops on the menu. Every dish utilizes simple elegance from a perfectly plated single ravioli with an egg inside to the house-made headcheese – a jelly texture perfectly complemented by heirloom potatoes. Guests will adore the primis like the Papardelle – wild boar with pecorino toscano, secondis like Fiji Snapper with scallops, pomodorini, and black olives, and desserts like their classic cannoli.
1520 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-807-8857
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