Cavatore
Housed in what was once a barn, this restaurant is decorated in Italian memorabilia for a casual atmosphere. Serving lunch and dinner, its menu combines the flavors of both American and Italian cuisines. Start your meal out with the authentic Caesar salad, with the dressing made at your table. House favorites include the Italian sausage sautéed with peppers, onions, garlic and brown sauce. Try the Linguini Giancarlo with shrimp and calamari served in a fresh tomato sauce, Pollo Francese (chicken breast in a mushroom and lemon butter sauce), or the salmon in a tarragon sauce.
Cavatore
2120 Ella Blvd.
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 869-6622
cavatoreitalianrestaurant.com
Mia Bella Trattoria
With three locations, including a historic downtown building and a neighborhood setting, Mia Bella serves both classic and creative menu items in a casually elegant setting. All locations are open for brunch, lunch and dinner (no children's menu). Start your meal with fried artichoke hearts in a green basil pesto sauce, or try the baked goat cheese in a putanesca sauce on toasted baguette. A surprising salad menu includes an orzo pasta salad with pine nuts, olives, grilled chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. Or try the braised beets and green beans served over arugula and pine nuts in a balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Follow with the vegetable linguine (mushrooms, eggplant, red pepper, tomatoes and more sauteed in olive oil), salmon and spinach penne pasta, or the baked trout with herbed couscous.
Mia Bella Trattoria (Downtown)
320 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-0505
Mia Bella Montrose
2006 Lexington Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 523-2428
Mia Bella Vintage Park
110 Vintage Park Blvd., Suite A
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 251-8930
miabellatrattoria.com
Nino's
Nino's serves regional Italian cuisine in an elegantly rustic atmosphere. Its lunch and dinner menus include sample appetizers such as polenta arrosto con funghi (oven-roasted polenta served with a wild mushroom and balsamic reduction sauce) or focaccia with roasted garlic and cambazola cheese. Try one of their distinctive pasta dishes: Pacheri, tubular pasta with pulled veal and pomodoro sauce; or Penne alla Vodka served with lump crabmeat. Grilled or sauteed beef, veal, fish or seafood options are other entrée options. Feeling like pizza? Try the Piccante thin crust pizza with goat cheese and spicy sausage.
Nino's
2817 West Dallas
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 522-5120
ninos-vincents.com
About The Author
Christine Meyer has been writing professionally since 1995. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in music from Taylor University, a CELTA from the University of Cambridge ESOL, and a CBA in marketing from IBMEC Rio de Janeiro, Meyer has experience in a variety of fields. Her articles have been published in newspapers and on sites such as eHow.com.
