A block or so north of the Houston Galleria, fine-dining Arcodro is striking and stylish, matching its well-attired crowd. Arcodro's cuisine is mostly from the Italian outpost of Sardinia. Excellent dishes such as sa fregula in asellas, a type of couscous with clams in saffron, and gnocchetti sardi al cinghiale, Sardinian-style dumplings with a ragù of wild boar, aren't readily found anywhere in this country. Classic Italian restaurant preparations fill out the rest of the menu, which features freshly made pastas, beautiful fish flown in from the Mediterranean and a wood-burning oven that turns out pizzas, roast suckling pig, chicken and steak. Arcodoro is a must for anyone who enjoys Italian food and is one of the top Italian restaurants in the area.
Arcodoro
5000 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77056
713-621-6888
arcodoro.com
Just a block east of The Galleria, Piatto serves well-crafted Southern Italian-American food. The restaurant is loud, and robust and exuberant flavors resonate through the menu of appetizers, pizzas, pastas and meat and seafood entrées. Tempting grilled items include a large veal chop, steaks, pork chops and a fish fillet of the day. A must-order is the asparagus appetizer with lightly breaded and fried asparagus, topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and plenty of lemon juice and butter. Specialties such as veal braciola, stuffed with spinach and Italian sausage, and their version of spiedini with breaded and grilled shrimp, can be satisfying.
Piatto
4925 West Alabama
Houston, Texas 77056
713-871-9722
piattoristorante.com
Located near Nordstrom's on the second floor in The Galleria, Cafe Dolcé Gelato's prime attractions may be the gelato and sorbetto, but the eatery also serves panini -- pressed sandwiches -- featuring Italian-style fillings.
Also on the second floor near Nordstrom's, this fast-food pizza joint in can be a convenient place to grab a slice or a whole pie for the family.
Just like its sibling, Roman Delight Pizza & Pasta can be an easy and wallet-friendly stop for a fast meal of pizza or pasta. It is located on Rink Level in the food court.
Near the ice skating rink, this national chain of mall- and airport-situated counter stops dishes a slew of recognizable Italian-American favorites, nearly all teeming with red sauce.
