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D'amico's Italian Market Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Cafes Italian, Cafes [Edit]
2802 White Oak BlvdHouston, TX 77007
Neighbourhood: The Heights
(713) 868-3400
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
12 reviews for D'amico's Italian Market Cafe
12 reviews in English
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Review from Hana S.
Houston, TX
5/17/2012
Wonderful homemade pasta! My husband and I don't eat out at Italian restaurants much because I like to cook Italian and he makes his own pasta. We didn't give this place a lot of thought until I decided to take some of my friends there.
We ordered the spaghetti daviolo, a generously portioned seafood dish that has a nice, spicy red sauce, the tortellini Genovese, and the mushroom ravioli. The mushroom ravioli was the show stealer, the tender pasta filled with earthy mushrooms and paired with a perfect a rich cream sauce. Another dish that impressed me was the Caesar salad: their dressing is house-made and authentic tasting (I would have liked some anchovies on top, however).
The prices were also very reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. Service was great.
The only thing that turns me off about this place is the atmosphere: it strikes me as contrived casual and too much Italian Stereotype. I think they could actually go for a more refined atmosphere to match the food. I also wish this place was BYOB.
Another positive: the have good gelato. The marscapone with dark cherries was a mildly sweet, delicious, and authentically Italian flavor. -
Review from Caroline S.
Houston, TX
This place is GREAT!
I've been frequenting D'amico's about once a week for the last couple months. Funny some have referred to this place as a fancy bistro; it's not fancy at all! What I like about this restaurant is that it's casual but has a cute, intimate, and bright atmosphere.
Inside you'll find a wood fired pizza grill, small bar, display cases (with meats, cheeses, pasta, and gelato), a few grocery shelves, and seating throughout the restaurant and on the patio.
Great bargain on lunch specials - choose 3 items (change daily) for $7.45! For dinner there are plenty of entree options available- price ranges $7-18 (one entree is $24)
All of the "House Favorite" items come with a salad and are big enough for 2. (Either share with a friend or be ready for leftovers!)
Don't forget you can order panini & pizzas any time of day (they're on the back of the menu with the lunch specials)
Bread served with Olive Oil- you'll have to ask for the red pepper and herbs. Not sure why they don't just bring them to the table...
Now for items i've had or tasted that are worth ordering:
Braciolentini and the Stuffed Poblano Peppers- Both entrees are VERY good, but be prepared; they are rich. You'll definitely want to share. The Antipasto All'italiano is a huge platter of grilled veggies, meats, and cheese- great bargain for $9.95. Wild mushroom & Walnut tortellini- Yum :)
A couple items deserve a little extra attention...first.... the *Shrimp Parmesan*!! This one surprised me and my companion in a very good, delicious way and is a MUST TRY!! Even if you're not a chicken/eggplant/veal parmesan lover, you will love the shrimp parmesan! Great texture and delicious flavors. Several of my friends have ordered this upon my recommendation and they all were unexpectedly and VERY pleasantly surprised.
Second.... *Nash's Pizza*! This might be my new favorite item at D'amico's. Ever had lemon juice on pizza? I hadn't either. Sounds a bit odd, but (trust me) order this pizza and you will not be disappointed!!
Have yet to try their gelato. The Tiramisu isn't traditional or light and fluffy like that at Patrenella's, but is still a good dessert.
D'Amico's is a fun little restaurant that is definitely worth a visit!
Hm... i'm getting hungry. May have to go grab a quick lunch! -
Review from Robert C.
Houston, TX
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Consistently good. A Houston staple. New location has more room and it's the same food and menu, which is a good thing
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Review from Kimberly N.
Houston, TX
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I hate to give this place a bad review only because the service here is fantastic! So they get three stars for that. But unfortunately, the food is sub par at best. I ordered the chicken Alfredo and it was no bueno. The chicken was extremely over cooked and the sauce was pretty tasteless. I think I'll just stick with the olive garden.
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Review from Rick C.
Houston, TX
Updated - 4/7/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Not good. Been here 4x for dinner. 1st time was great. 2nd time was sorta good. 3rd time so-so. 4th time---bad enough that I will never come back. Too bad. This place has everything they need to be great..except good food.
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Review from Franesco M.
Houston, TX
Updated - 3/12/2012
My previous review still stands - they should not be called an Italian restaurant.
However if you enjoy Christian Tail Gate next door you probably go to D'amicos for special occasions.
Wonder if you will ever leave the Heights???? hmmmm I can wish....1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/24/2011
WOW - Shocking. So wife and I went walked over to check out the new restaurant - the laminated… Read more »
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Review from John F.
Houston, TX
10/20/2011
Sooooo glad to have this restaurant so close to home! The food is always good....and the lunch specials can't be beat for the price!
Would like to see homemade pastas/gnocchi and desserts though....
Save room for Gelato! -
Review from Shanna C.
Houston, TX
3/11/2012
i l-o-v-e d'amico's. i am SO glad they are here in the heights on white oak.
they must do some quality training because they have a great staff.
they serve the best caesar salad in houston - the dressing is perfect. their red sauce is so fresh and light - great on pasta, with calamari, and in the lasagna. their lunch special is a welcome addition to the heights, especially for us working-class people. $7.45 gets you three items off an extensive steam table menu.
a wonderful atmosphere and a fabulous patio await you...so nice on these breezy days and evenings. -
Review from Eric M.
Houston, TX
11/9/2011
D'amicos just opened in the neighborhood and I thought I'd give them a try. It was not bad, but nothing exceptional either. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. The caprese was average with tasty cheese but mushy roma tomatoes (like they'd been cut in advance and refrigerated) and wilted basil leaves more as a garnish than a base ingredient.. When you see fresh pasta in the market display case, you assume the pasta in the restaurant will also be fresh...it isn't. Ordered the veal saltimbocca and enjoyed the veal and spinach, but the dish was sort of ruined by cheap (not fresh) linguine.
I think this restaurant has an identity crisis, like it can't decide whether to be a cheap family Italian place, or a gourmet Italian bistro. The prices aren't low enough to be the former and the food isn't good enough to be the latter. I spent nearly 50 bucks for two glasses of so-so wine and an un-inspired meal. I really wanted to like this place, but kinda don't. I'll give them another chance soon but for the first impression and rating, I'm being generous with 3 stars. -
Review from J C.
Houston, TX
1/17/2012
The waitstaff, manager, and owner are so friendly and really make you feel welcome. But the best part of this restaurant, hands down, is the Risotto. I see now why it is a house favorite. Perfect consistency, with a sauce that coats your mouth in a good way! Not to mention the very generous portion, with freshly sauteed mushrooms and jumbo shrimp. I have never had risotto down quite this way, and I know from now on I'll only be ordering this dish!
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Review from annie d.
Houston, TX
11/19/2011
My husband and I have eaten here three times since the restaurant opened this fall. Having recently returned from an extended stay in the New York metro area where seemingly there are only Italian restaurants to choose from, we've been a little disappointed in the Italian food offered here in Houston. Until now. D'Amico's has the taste of Italy down pat. My advice is to take the waiter's recommendation for that day's offering. (Ask for Dylan.) We've had the chicken bracciolentini as an entre and as an appetizer. The waiter recommended the appetizer. Go for the appetizer!! It's enough by itself as an entre and it's served on a bed of spinach lightly sauteed in garlic...major yum! I also recently had the veal ravioli at the waiter's suggestion, also very good. The tomato sauce had a very authentic Italian taste and satisfying, toothiness. There was enough veal in the pasta and sauce to feed a family of four...no kidding! It was delicious. If you want to experience real Italian fare (as opposed to pizza), come here. The wait staff and owners are trying really hard to satisfy and impress, and IMHO, they are succeeding at this lovely little establishment. What a wonderful addition to Heights dining for discerning diners. [Note: I gave four stars instead of five because as a "new" restaurant trying to find its footing, they are a tiny bit wobbly...not everything is perfect but given time, they'll get there. Yes, they have another location in Rice Village, so the argument would be that they aren't a "new" restaurant. But that's not true. A new location needs time to work out kinks and acquire loyal patrons, all of which should help improve the kitchen and settle things down in the dining room.] Salute!
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Review from Lesley N.
Houston, TX
10/17/2011
I went to D'amico's for dinner recently, and it was great! I had the mushroom tortellini, and it was fantastic. You can really taste the homemade pasta flavor- and the walnuts with the mushrooms was delicous. They had a pretty good selection of wines by the glass, and bottles, as well as half bottles which I appreciated. My boyfriend got the Chicken Mostarda, and it was fantastic also. Our waiter was excellent and gave us really helpful suggestions on the menu since there was so much to choose from. My only complaint was that we weren't offered a seat on the patio, and we didn't notice until we left how much outside dining there was available! Next time we go we'll definitely eat on the patio- it looked great. This will definitley be one of my new go-to restaurants in the Heights.
