Gina's Italian Bistro

I base a lot of my decisions on reviews, but I rarely write them myself. After my dining experience tonight, I felt the need to voice my opinion. It seemed like the reviews for this restaurant were mostly positive for the food and only negative for large groups and their service. Since there were just two of tonight, I figured we wouldn't have a problem. Well, the service turned out to be just fine. The problem was the food. I ordered the baked ravioli which costs about $13. The pasta was hard from being undercooked, the sauce wasn't tasty, and really the only thing that made it seem baked was that there was some cheese melted on top. It was so bad I couldn't even finish it. It seemed like something you would get at a cheap pizza place for about $6. My husband got the veal marsala. The wine sauce resembled a brown gravy and he said it tasted like a TV dinner; however, it was priced at about $20. For dessert we split a piece of strawberry cheesecake with the hope of ending on a good note. Luckily that tasted okay. We recently moved to the area and wanted to try something new. Our lesson learned is to stick with what you know is good. For the same price we could have had an outstanding meal at the Grotto. more

When making reservations for a large party in advance, the woman on the phone didn't seem to mind the number of guests (12) or the time (1 hour before close), but when we got there the server looked surprised and angry to get a large party so late! And when he asked us: ""Will this be all together, or seperate checks?"" and we answered the latter, he huffed loudly and immediately walked off! (Mind you, he asked in the middle of taking our drink orders...) The manager came and said: ""I know it's easier for YOU if we do seperate checks, but it's harder for US, so we're going to keep it altogether and let YOU figure it out at the end."" I have waited tables for five years and never would any manager be so rude to anyone - a correct response: ""I'm so sorry for the trouble, but our policy with large parties is to keep the table together, so the kitchen can coordinate the large order... etc"" OR tell your staff not to ask, but to inform them from the beginning! Of course, when our bill came out, it wasn't even computerized - just written down on a green guest check. Would it have been so much harder to write those 12 orders on different checks and give them to the cooks at the same time? I mean, I told her she could still add the large party gratuity seperately to them. And it had nothing to do with coordinating place numbers on the table, becuase they just auctioned the food off when it came out (eg: ""Who had the linguine?!) The real reason they wanted to put it altogether? So that they could try to scam us in the end! The bill just wasn't adding up for us as we sat trying to figure out who owed what. And when we told the manager it was off, she literally yelled at us: ""I have a masters in mathematics! It is correct!"" One of our party went inside with her and used a calculator to show her that in fact she had overcharged us by $60. And then he came back out, by himself. No sight of the manager. No apology. I will never go back again! And I suggest you don't either! Pros: Cheap food, Huge portions Cons: Terrible Service, Unethical Management more

Where do I start...we had reserved the patio for an adult group w/ adult conversation. The hostess/owner sat people & families on the patio that were not with our group. We reminded her that we were an adult group and asked her not to seat anyone else on the patio not with our group. She agreed to our face but continued to seat people and famlies on the patio. The waiters and bus boys repeatedly reached across my wife and put body parts in her face causing her to have to change her seat. We had about 20 people in our group by now and no one had recieved silverware. A member of group went to get silverware for everyone and the hostess/owner jerked it of her hand and informed her that she had servers to do that. Meanwhile, I was finished with my appetizer and ready to start on my salad before receiving any silverware. Additionally, folks were asking for drink refills without receiving service, so when someone went to the bar to ask for a drink order, the hostess/owner again told her to sit down and let the servers do their job. Our meeting never got beyond the socializing portion for the evening. When the check was presented, we requested the gratuity be removed due to poor service. We were informed that we recieved ""excellent"" service, that we were ""rude"", and that she could have charged us 20% gratuity if she wanted instead of only 15% but she would not remove/reduce the gratuity. As for the food, I found the portions of good size and fair taste. The resturant was not busy, we had about 20-25 people in our group, there 3 other couples and 1 family on the patio, and there were 4 tables in use inside the resturant with adequate staff for all. more

Nick's was disappointing on our most recent visit. Their prices have increased -- with a typical pasta entree now around $18 -- too pricey for a neighborhood eatery. My linguini with clam sauce was extremely bland as if they forgot to add enough garlic and seasonings. My wife's pistachio chicken had a thick crust more like a chicken fried steak. The sauce was well done though. Portions were excessive. There are just too many good Italian restaurants in Houston to bother with Nick's. Nick's might be a good value only if pasta prices were in the $12-14 range (accomplished by reducing portion size). more

DIVINE FOOD in an AMAZING SUBDIVISION!!!! Pros: Close to med. center, West U/ Rice Village & Whole Foods (across the street) Cons: I have not tried any of their dessert yet. more

Good italian staples, as well as some creative dishes. The menu is the best thing about this resturaunt. If your looking for good italian food in this area of town this is absolutely a place to try. The service is good, and the ambiance is ok, less than I would expect given the clientel and prices. The resturaunt tends to have an 'upity' air to it, but that isn't due to the owner or staff. However, if your looking for good italian food, in a resturaunt that isn't over cramped for space (like thier local competitors), then this family style, family operated resturaunt is worth trying on for size. Pros: Good italian food, great menu. Cons: West U Wanda's create an 'upity' atmosphere, not as casual as a family italian join should be. more

Small mom and pop-ish restaurant. Noisy at times. Obvious bunch of regulars eat there on weekends. Quite tasty bread with a slightly upscale clientele Pros: Good neighboorhood italien Cons: small more

The owner comes out and chats with customers, so be sure your wants and needs are heard! This kitchen makes fantastic house shrimp, with sort of a crisp deep-fried breaded crust in a lemony, garlic, parmesean infused sauce. It's an appetizer if you want to try something else. I thought her risotto was both authentic and outstanding - sometimes the owner cooks it herself. Pros: warm inviting atmosphere, awesome food, good price Cons: service can be "european speed" more

By far the best fettucine ever tried. I have eaten at dozens of italian restaurants all over the country and none, let me say that again, NONE, can compare to the quality and taste that you will receive at NICKS. Try it and you will never forget what quality fettucine is all about!!! more

We went on a Sat nite about 6. Casual but very nice atmosphere that accomodates families - a quiet evening for two may need to be later. Unimpressive garlic bread soaked with butter and garlic - would prefer ciabbata and olive oil considering the much better quality of the meal. The opening number could be a little more Italian traditional. I had the Pistachio chicken and it was wonderful (enough for two) . A rich cream sauce over pistachio encrusted chicken, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and button mushrooms (not porcini like the menu said but porcinis are out of season). My side of spaghetti bolognese was fairly generic. Very reasonable prices. House salad with vinagrette was satisfactory. Other menu items observed at other tables looked very appetizing. So next time, I'll ask for dry bread and take my own olive oil. And go for the Pistachio Chicken. Pros: Pistachio chicken, outside ambience, reasonable Cons: challenging parking more

What a great place! I ventured to Nick's for lunch recently and was pleasantly surprised by the diverse menu and outstanding entrees. It reminds me of a restaurant my (Italian) family frequented often when I was a kid--took me back 15+ years! Pros: Great prices, Great house dressing, Lovely interior Cons: Small tables, Odd driveway more

Sit outside (if applicable) for a romantic dinner! They have wonderful, authentic italian food and a large, beautiful garden patio. The service is great and so are the wines. Pros: food, atmosphere, service Cons: parking more

I agree with last reviewer, great place to take a date, great food, Pistachio Chicken is excellent. Try it out, never taken anyone there that didn't love it. more

If you want the ""regular"" Italian food consisting of some type of pasta slopped over with some variety of red sauce and cheese then they have that, but if you really want something really outstanding, get the Pistachio Chicken. I have eaten at Nick's many times, and that chicken dish (it's huge) is by far one of the top 10 absolute best meals I have ever had at any Italian eatery including Carrabbas, Mickelangelo's, LaStrada and others. The shrimp and pasta are outstanding too, but they scrimp on the shrimp a little for my appetite. The outdoor fountain and patio, combined with soft lighting creates a nice ambiance after dark. Nick's is a really good place to impress a date without trying to be impressive - especially if they order the Pistachio Chicken. Pros: Pistachio Chicken, Staff not snooty, Right Prices Cons: Slow tea/water refill, Waiters not Italian, Scrimp on shrimp more