Palazzo's Trattoria

A very special Italian restaurant. Houston is lucky to have them in town. If you have not been there, give it a try. You will be glad you did. Excellent food, great service, reasonable pricing, a nice environment...What more could you ask? more

This place has a good location, big parking and most important - very friendly staff but when I go to an ""Italian"" restaurant I expect food like I ate in Italy...\r Here already after opening the menu I knew it wasn't what I've expected. Fried mozzarella? Yeah...I've never seen that in Italy...\r And spaghetti with meatballs...I find them here in every ""Italian"" restaurant but don't recall seeing them even once on the menu in Italy...\r Bread pudding??? I thought it was a British dessert.\r I could go on like this...with pizza as well.\r Names on the menu are in Italian but in my opinion this is the only ""Italian"" thing.\r I give 2 stars because of a really nice staff. more

Great specials, great pizza Pros: best food in town more

This has become my favorite resturant! The food is consistantly great,as is their friendly service. It is a great place to take friends. You will never be disappointed. Pros: Great frendly service more

We enjoy going to Palazzo's on the west side of town. The staff is friendly and the specials are always tasty. We have had volunteer events at Palazzo's and were able to get in, have a wonderful meal with everyone ordering a unique lunch, and be back at work in just about an hour!\r \r It is also nice to be able to support a local establishment. Pros: Good specials and great staff Cons: Pretty busy on Friday nights more

I eat at Palazzo's 2-4 times a month. Sometimes the service is great and sometimes they drop the ball, but the food is always great and it's consistent in flavor and quality. I rotate between the Veal Picatta (which is as good as any fancier restaurant's version), the Pasta Palazzo, Insalata Fresca (fun mix of textures and tastes that's surprisingly filling) and the Filet Mignon (the sauce is just right, not overwhelming). The Capellini Crusted Red Snapper is also good for something different. Don't forget to add a side of sauteed spinach and their Caesar salad is really good too. It has a sophisticated atmosphere, but is very low key, so it's great for mid week neighborhood dining. Ask for Al in the dining room and Julio at the bar. Pros: Good food, comfortable atmosphere Cons: Service is inconsistent more

I visit this Palazzo's at least once a week, but it didn't take the manager more than a few visits to know me by name. I never go during a lunch / dinner rush, so I always get excellent attention (I have a feeling it would be this way anyway). The breadsticks will melt in your mouth, and the salad is killer for an appetizer. EVERY single dish I have tried here has been out of this world with flavor and presentation, and I've never had the same thing twice. The chicken/ sausage cacciatore and the veal ragu are some of my favorites. I always get the lemonade- yummy. Every server / bar tender who has served me has been very friendly and attentive. I work just around the corner and this place is the best break from a stressful day I can imagine. Pros: Affordable, great service, excellent food & appeatizers. more

I love Palazzo's so much, that since moving here 6 years ago, it has become my go-to place for a quick celebratory meal or an easy first date. The old restaurant location was cosy and warm, and the new location is still great, with a bit more sophistication. \r \r I have never been disappointed with a visit here, nor have any of the 50+ new patrons I've brought here during my years in Houston. My suggestion is the Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, which is rich and decadent, satisfying, and there's enough to take home and reheat. Save a little space for their banana carrot cake, which is as fabulous as it is sweet. \r \r I've had attentive and forgetful waiters, but by far, Al is their best. He's been there since I've started going, and he is always on top of things. \r \r Give them a chance! You'll be pleased with the food and even more pleased with the check! Pros: Delicious, and the price is right Cons: None! more

This small and friendly restaurant is everything an Italian Restaurant should be. It is small and quaint, but has plenty of seating without you feeling ""squeezed"" in. There is also outdoor seating that on a nice evening is worth the wait. Their pizza is by far and away the best in town. try the meatball pizza....yummy, and their fish dishes are to die for. Fair sized servings, not to big, not to small, and always plenty of foccacia bread sticks. A generous wine menu, slightly pricey and really good frozen Bellini's. The waitstaff are very friendly and efficient and make you feel as though you are a regular. I love the fact that they are always willing to accommodate a change in the menu if they can. i.e a different sauce, substitute a different veggie etc. Where as many restaurants charge for these special requests, Palazzo's does not. I also have used their catering service and was very pleased at the price as well as the generous portions. Again, willing to accommodate special requests. All in all, a great Houston find. more

The food and service were very good the only problem I had was that there was mandatory valet parking. I dont like anyone to drive my car or leave my guns with some valet parker. I had to park on the street a block away. The pizza is the best in town and the salad was very fresh. I loved the soup and wide selection of the menu. Pros: Great food, nice staff Cons: Valet Parking more

My wife and I met another couple at Palazzo's today for a late brunch (2:00pm). We arrived first and order some Bellinis and the Romano Crusted Asparagus with lump crabmeat in lemon butter as an appetizer. The Bellinis were very tasty, not too much alcohol and not too sweet. The asparagus were excellent and the sauce was very nice. Five asparaus were served on the plate with the crab meat in a small pile in the center of the plate resting in ample sauce for the dish. In our group we had the Chicken Cannelloni (from the dinner menu), Sausage Frittata, Spinach and Proscuitto Frittata, and Italian Toast; everyone was extremely satisifed with the quality and portions. The frittatas were nice and light, but could have had a bit more sausage and proscuitto, respectively. My wife raved about the Chicken Cannelloni, and after tasting her's, I agreed. The Italian Toast is on my list for the next visit, our friend that selected was plesantly suprised and didn't offer to share. We all shared a Spumoni Ice Cream Cake, and it was wonderful.\r \r The restaurant was not crowded due to the time of day, so it was nice and quiet. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful when making selections.\r \r We will return, and are dissappointed we waited so long to try Palazzo's for brunch. Pros: Food Quality, Service, Noise Level Cons: Parking, more

Okay, I have not actually been in the restaurant, since we just got carry out. So I can't comment on much. But I can say this was, without a doubt, the best pizza I've ever had. We had really high expectations when we ordered Vino's Pizza for carryout, because we knew Palazzo's Trattoria was awarded the ""best pizza"" position on Citysearch. I almost always feel disappointed when I have super high expectations based on ""Best Of"" lists and stuff like that. I was not disappointed at all! The toppings were excellent. Thick pepperoni, juicy ham, fresh peppers, the olives weren't all shriveled. I was seriously impressed. The cheese is delicious and gooey, but it doesn't slide off; the crust is crunchy and chewy at the same time. It was an artisan pizza, for sure. Usually pizza is good because it has great crust, or great sauce, etc. This pizza had pretty much everything going for it.\r Update: We got the exact same pizza tonight and the toppings took a turn for the worse. No more thick juicy meat. That was disappointing. It wasn't nearly as good as the pizza we had that prompted my first rave review. Still good, though. Pros: Pizza Cons: not consistent more

I used to love this restaurant but I think they have lost it. The quality of the food has suffered the most. I hope it makes a comeback but I won't be back. Pros: Nice New Location Cons: Chef Must not have made the trip. more

Although it was a dreary Saturday, when we decided to stop in for our first dining experience at Palazzo?s, the refreshing ambiance, delightful service and the decent wine list made for an afternoon well spent. I ordered the shrimp scampi, a tasteful combination of spinach, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and capellini. My companion ordered the fish of the day, flounder, a mediocre attempt at the ?special of the day?, but the artichokes that accompanied the dish were fantastic. The portions were hearty and the food light; enjoyable dishes for lunch. Overall, the service was excellent and the food delectable. Pros: Great Servive more

I have to say I was disappointed by the Palazzo. After reading the fantastic reviews, I took some family that was visiting for dinner today. We each ordered something different, and the reviews were mixed. I had the chicken marsala, which was okay, but certainly nothing to rave about. The spaghetti with meatballs tasted like Chef Boyardee, and the lasagna was okay. The pepperoni and Athena pizzas were total hits, however. The bread sticks are also great, although the waitress neglected to bring out olive oil with it. \r \r I apologized to my guests, and promised them better food next time. I don't understand why this place was voted one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston. I can certainly think of other restaurants that aren't on the list that are way better than the Palazzo Trattoria. Pros: bread sticks, pizza Cons: everything else more

I like going out to different restaurants every once in a while, and without any doubt, this is perhaps one of the best italian restaurants in town (River Oaks Location). I mean from A to Z! The valet parking service is absolutely great; even in a rainy day. The hostesses, waiters/waitresses, bartenders, bussers, and food runners have their job descriptions down, including management. I saw every manager touching basis with every single table. It is obviuos that customer service is a priority to them. Over all, I was very impressed with the whole dining experience, and I cannot tell enough about the quality of the food and how affortable it is. It almost sounds to good to be true, but check it out your self. For me, I have found my new italian dining spot. Pros: From A to Z Cons: I am still trying to find something wrong! more

If you love wine like i do Palazzos is a great place to go. On monday nights they offer discounts on bottles of wine, bottles that are normally $30 are $15 and if it is more than $30 they will take off $15. i don't know of anyother place that does that.. i try to go every monday to get the wine and the great food. Pros: ambience- parking vallet - friendly staff more

My first visit to Palazzo's was when a co-worker suggested we go there for lunch a couple years ago and I've been a regular ever since. The food and atmosphere is wonderful - so I was obviously mad at my friend for not telling me about Palazzo's sooner!\r As the word spread through our office, it became the favorite lunch spot for our staff and since it's one of the few places that makes everyone happy (even our picky eaters!). Now we're using their catering services for meetings and parties (very affordable).\r \r Another perk if you happen to live close by... they deliver!! Our regular delivery guy even takes care to separate the hot items from the cold items so that our desserts and salads arrive in delicious condition.\r When you go, be sure to start with the Romano Crusted Asparagus - amazing! For dinner, I like Chicken Marsala. Hubby always gets the Capellini Al Pomodoro and if you have a hearty appetite, the Southwest Chicken Lasagna. For pizza, their Pollo Pizza is our favorite. Of course tiramisu is the perfect ending to the evening!\r \r Since I'm fortunate to also live nearby, I've gone with my husband for dinner and he really appreciates being able to get good food in a comfortable/relaxing atmosphere. Rather than taking friends to a typical chain restaurant, we like to take them to Palazzo's since their patio is the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon - especially with a bottle of wine. The new locations had a fabulous patio - definitely worth checking out!\r more

After going to Palazzos on Briar Ridge for years, decided to try the new River Oaks location - and once again they have a winner! Great place to unwind after work over a glass of wine. I had the Insalata Fresca for the first time and it was delicious topped strawberries and candied pecans! My husband had the Chicken Marsala and he is still raving about it. Make sure you save room for the bread pudding ? it is the best in the city! My husband and I will definitely be regulars here!! Pros: valet, service more

There has been a dropoff in the level of food and service since the move. As they have become busier, they have had to hire many new and inexperienced staff. \r \r The entrees came out at varying intervals, in a haphazard fashion. When the smoke cleared, it turned out that one in our party had not received her entree. After much effort to locate our waiter, we alerted him to the situation. Clearly harried, he came back and dropped off the wrong order. After a second more difficult attempt to flag our waiter, we finally were able to explain our situation. Fourteen minutes later, a side dish not ordered, was brought out to accompany the wrong entree. A third attempt to rectify the situation was finally met with success. When told of the situation, management explained that it was ""human error"" which I can understand.\r \r What I cannot understand is the recent uninspired quality of the food. My medium rare filet was cooked unevenly and ran the spectrum from medium to well done. I could go on the FOODTV website, copy a recipe for gilled snapper and produce an equivalent dish. \r \r With the attempt to go more upscale with the upsizing, pretty interior and valet parking, they have not been able to keep up on the service and food end. more