Piatto Ristorante Reviews

Piatto is an upbeat, friendly little restaurant hidden behind Dillards in the Galleria Area. A great place to have lunch when shopping. Or, a wonderful dinner. The service is good and the food is consistently excellent. It is so nice to be able to walk just a couple blocks and get away from the mall restaurants, to enjoy a peaceful lunch or dinner.

We ordered gnocchi at this place and this was the worst gnocchi on the planet. it tasted like raw dough and it was expensive. Also ordered fettucini alfredo which was average. overall this place is not worth another visit.

We enjoyed lunch with a friend this past Thursday and were so pleased with his choice of this hidden treasure. Very good service and numerous menu selections. We each chose to have an appetizer and salad and were very pleased with the presentation and taste of the dishes. We'll definitely be back here.

I do not think I have ever left a restaurant after sitting down, but I did this one. I decided to try for restaurant week. First, I made a mistake with my reservation (made it for the wrong day). They were very nice and seated me anyway as not that busy. 1 point for them. I had to ask for the restaurant week menu after being seated. I ordered a glass of wine as I reviewed the menu. The restaurant was very loud. The waiter seemed hurried, hectic even though the room didn’t seem that busy. I had the same situation as another reviewer, he would say something as he passed. Calling me “my friend” doesn’t make up for lack of proper service, plus it seems a little overly familiar. I paid for my wine and left. As I didn’t eat, so I gave this 3-stars (more than I would of otherwise) as most reviewers enjoyed the food. I suspect being a table of one attributed to overall attention, I probably should have sat at the bar. In summary, if you are a group out to eat & drink, you may enjoy this place. For me I will go elsewhere.

Great Italian food, home made pasta awesome dessert. Service was perfectly paced even though it was a busy Friday night. Higher priced, but well worth it.

We were going there with friends so I went to their website to see the menu and prices.There was a dinner I was anxious to try but the actual menu was more expensive and did not have the entree I wanted. This seems totally inappropriate. The food was good and the companionship great so that oveshadowed my disappointment.

Excellent meal.Excellent service.We we’re moving our son into his new apartment with friends and had to be flexible about dinner plans depending upon the move. I booked the reservation at 5 pm for 7 pm and was skeptical about the restaurant as everywhere else had no room. Was I ever wrong and so are everyone else who overlooks this restaurant. This is a hidden gem. Will go back again next visit.

Do not eat at this restaurant. Your car will be broken into. The restaurant and building will give you no support. Kurt Zumwalt

Went last night to Piatto to try it out as part of Restaurants Weeks. Given the location and overall rating, we set our expectations high for a delightful and fulfilling dining experience. Unfortunately, the restaurant failed to meet both of these expectations in major ways. My companion and I both ordered the prix fixe menu designed for Restaurants Weeks. I was not convinced by the menu to begin with, since it didn’t include dessert among the three course formulation, but decided to try it out anyway. The first course was a plate of their breaded asparagus and the calamari. The asparagus was average, nothing special. The calamari didn’t have the bright, golden color you’d expect, but it was rather bland creamy yellow. It was covered in slices of banana peppers that gave it a strange taste. No marinara sauce or lemon came with the calamari to my surprise. The calamari was chewy, almost tasted old, as if chewing on a rubber band. The second course was the wedge of lettuce for my companion and the gazpacho for me. The wedge of lettuce was again, average (then again, how hard is it to chop a wedge off a lettuce and put dressing on top?). The gazpacho tasted like cold clamato juice with chopped olives. Really? It’s like they ran out of fresh ingredients (if they serve any at all) and decided to use pantry ingredients instead. The soup was super sweet and didn’t taste like gazpacho at all. Disappointing. The last course was a mixed food platter with lamb chops, grilled chicken, and sauted veggies. One of us ordered Medium and the other Medium Rare. When the plates arrived, both lamb chop orders were rare. That’s ok, it’s the flavor that matters right? Well, the meat itself was bland, needed salt, it had no other ingredients to enhance the flavor. It was one of the most basic lamb chops I’ve ever had; an amateur final product and unworthy of consumption. The raw white connective tissue felt like dental floss as I bit down on the meat, almost causing a gag reflex at every turn. It came with caramelized onions and green beans, which were a little too sweet, but otherwise edible. Overall dinner experience was on par with Luby’s on a bad day, but at premium prices. At least at Luby’s you get what you pay for. Last point of contention was the service. The place was almost empty, but the waiter seemed rushed to get us out of there. At one point he asked us if we were ready to order as he passed by and didn’t even wait for our response and kept walking. Huh? When we first walked into the restaurant, the manager and waiter greeted us with handshakes and asking for my name, which I found off-putting and highly invasive. Why do you need to know my name? Maybe they’re trying to apply an “Italian home feel”, but it doesn’t work when patrons go to restaurants to eat, not shake hands with strangers right before eating. Just, no. It made the whole interaction awkward from that moment on, which combined with the poor quality of the food it made the experience annoying. Overall, skip this restaurant. However if you want to experience clammy handshakes before a pricey yet underwhelming meal with poor ingredients, then reserve today!

Our second time eating here over the last year and we were not disappointed. We were seated promptly, greeted by an assistant manager, and had a very good meal. Try the Arancini for an appetizer. It is outstanding and it's enough for two to share. The stuffed shrimp are fresh, the stuffing is well seasoned with a light sauce over the shrimp. They do a great job with asparagus. Their wine list has a very good variety at reasonable prices. The service throughout was excellent.

Good Italian food like your Italian grandmother use to make because that is where they came from. You won't be disappointed. The lemon bar desert is refresjhing.

If you hate garlic don't come here as everything is loaded with it. Really enjoyed the food. Waiter was brusque.

The services was good - food was good but could have been better, lacked flavour and was average for Italian food. Lots of better italian restaurants in the area.

I really like the food here, and they handle large groups very well. Wine prices are reasonable, and the service has been good every time I have been here. The calamari is outstanding as is the fried asparagus with crab meat. Convenient parking, either by the valet or across the street. This is our favorite Italian restaurant in this area.

Our favorite Italian restaurant, however since we have not lived in Tx for two years we were a little nervous in regards to is it the same....We were not disappointed. Service, asparagus, clams, veal, pasta....... Can't wait to visit Houston again.

Always enjoy coming here - the food and service are top notch! I can get my Italian fix while my husband is happy with a seafood meal. The food is authentic and the service is attentive without being annoying. Note: You can skip the valet and park in the garage behind at dinner.

It doesn't sound appetizing but once you take the first bite you are hooked. Although this dish is listed as an appetizer, it is truly enough for a full meal. Very good.

6 of us went to the restaurant for a birthday celebration. We had an excellent meal with wonderful service! No complaints from anyone. The Tiramisu was a large portion and it was great!

We try to stop any time we're in the area. Great Italian and seafood in a comfortable (but not pretentious) setting close to the Galleria. The staff is attentive but not overbearing. We had the Chicken piccata and a couple of seafood entrees that were amazing. Our favorite by far though is the coated asparagus/crab meat appetizer. Wonderful! We were too full for dessert this trip but will save room next time as they looked yummy!

Title says it all. I believe it's owned by the Carrabba family, but it's family owned, not corporate. Very close to the Galleria. Make sure you get the fried asparagus topped with lump crab meat for a starter. Isn't cheap.

This place is one of the worst places I have ever been. My dish was like being taken out of a box and heating it. My friend's dishes also had nothing good about it. The worst, the waiters thought we spoke Spanish; they were our friends and sat down next to us. Do not go to this place; expensive, horrible service, and lousy food.

This restuarant os normally open lunch Monday thru Friday but only for dinner on weekends. They had a special Mother's Day brunch along with the regular menu. Fantastic. I started with Cozze dei Piatto, PEI mussels with white wine, garlic and herbs. Very good. Next I had a stuffed chicken which was excellent. My mother had the Penne Melanzane, served with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and sautéed eggplant topped with ricotta cheese. All very good. This restuarant has been here for many years and you can it is run by family members. Worth going to in Houston.

Went with my family and the attention and the food was very good. Our waiter, Cesar, was very helpful and able to please the whole table , and we were very surprised with the plates. Is almost hidden , but when you get there and able to enjoy everything you want to come back again. Thanks for everything!

Seven of us went for dinner Christmas Eve and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Several said theirs were excellent. Entrees ordered were: stuffed shrimp, pasta carbonara, the wonderful fried asparagus topped with crab meat, eggplant Parmesan and mussels. Portions are on the large size and prices were reasonable. We had excellent service and will definitely return.

This is a small, out-of-the-way Italian restaurant owned by the Caraba family so you know the food is going to be wonderful. It's located in the Galleria area at the "610" end West Alabama; just past Post Oak. It's worth the trip.

What is not to LOVE about this marvelous Italian Ristorante in downtown Houston ???The atmosphere is gorgeous, wait staff attentive and friendly. The menu has the most excellent offerings and every single thing each of us ordered was outstanding ! We started with an appetizer that was fried asparagus with crabmeat topping and I have to say it was the best thing I've ever eaten....one of those "it'll change your life" things !!!We ordered a lovely red and a white table wine and enjoyed calamari in garlic butter sauce as well. The linguini and baked ziti, veal parmesean and salads were simply to die for. This is one ristorante you cannot afford to miss if you're in downtown Houston.

Had a late dinner on a Friday night. The staff was very accommodating, attentive and helpful despite the late hour. The food was excellent. Very fresh. Can't remember the name if the dish I ate but it tasted wonderful and was light but filling. The bread was amazing. Will definitely go again.

The service was very good and the wait staff pleasant.

Fabulous in every way. The asparagus appetizer is worth the trip. I had the trout special. A wonderfully broiled trout with real lump crabmeat and a light lemon caper sauce. Everyone at our table enjoyed every bite. Including the wine selections to the dessert. Worth checking this place out.

Last night, we chose Piatto for a quiet dinner with friends, as we knew it would be a lovely experience. Always busy but not overcrowded, this cozy restaurant delivers great food and service every time. The asparagus appetizer is a "must try". The special -- snapper topped with jumbo lump crab and lemon butter -- was divine. I tried the stuffed shrimp for the first time - fabulous. The wait staff could not have been more attentive. Highly recommended!

Try the asparagus with crabmeat starter, pasta dishes and chicken dishes, all are good, service is good and prices are reasonable. One of our regulars when we choose to eat out.

We visited Houston on our way to the Texas A&M vs Auburn Game. We read about Piatto and decided to walk over and try it What a GREAT decision - this is a nice restaurant near the Galleria but with a very neighborhood/home kind of feel. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly and helped us make great choices - my friends tried the specials while I had one of the Linguine Bashaw - and we did start with the house specialty asparagus appetizer - it was definitely good - better than I would have thought! We enjoyed good wine as well and tried two different desserts - the Creme Brulee which was great and the Double Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake which was unique and EXQUISITE!!!! The Manager and Owner both stopped by to say hello and welcome us to Texas as well. Really great start to a wonderful weekend!

My wife and I had a date night at Piatto. Sadly, we were very disappointed. Started with s ceasar salad. The plate was nice and cold but the salad just just average. almost a chopped salad versos. I asked waiter about anchovies and was told briskly "it was in the dressing" and he walked off. My wife ordered the Carbonara and asked if they could add some peas to the mix. The dish came out with penne pasta?? which we sent back. On the redo, he next offering was overcooked fettuccini and the ingredients had a big handful of peas overpowering all else. My order was the linguine with claims and white wine sauce. The first dish was dry with no sauce in the bowl. On the reorder, I was given the same dish with a splatter of additional sauce. the linguini was tasteless and overcooked. Overall, not a pleasant dining experience. A return is unlikely.

I love Piatto but on a recent visit for lunch I will admit I was surprised at how the service has changed. We were in a bit of a hurry and it took almost 20 minutes to order our lunch. That meant we could only order salads because we didn't have 20 minutes to wait for a regular entrée (our waiter said it would take 20 mins for any entrée). He was slammed with all of his tables being seated at the same time so it wasn't really his fault but they should have a plan for this. It seems like they used to have multiple waiters check on the tables and they definitely don't do that anymore. I would go back but given all of the other dining options available I wouldn't rush back unless they made some improvements.

We had a large group on a Sunday night and the restaurant was extremely accommodating (agreed to separate checks) and the service was fine. The food, however, was a mixed bag. Those who ordered the shrimp and asparagus and the veal scallopini were pleased. I ordered the Chicken Romano and had to spit out the first bite. Another table-mate sampled it and agreed that there was definitely something off. The waiter promptly brought the lasagna I ordered as a replacement but it was a small serving for the price and was just average. It had been years since we visited and we don't plan to return.

Piatto is one of our favorite Italian restaurants in Houston. It is conveniently located near the Galleria and we stop by for dinner quite often after an afternoon of shopping. Valet parking is a nice convenience offered since this is a fairly congested area. The service is dependable and courteous. We very much appreciate the chef’s effort to accommodate my wife’s gluten-free dietary restrictions … they even offer gluten-free pasta! The food is expertly prepared and flavorful. The wine list is typical Italian and reasonably priced. Piatto is well known in the neighborhood (and outside of the local community) and has a strong following. Therefore, I strongly suggest reservations.

We had a 3 person business meal here (selected Piatto due to reviews on-line). The service: host, bus and waiter - were all attentive. The food was good - but we were too involved with "business" to really focus and enjoy / critique everything sufficiently. (My recommended glass of wine was good.) We will go back as we seem to end up in The Galleria Area often. Valet was easy and prompt.

Enjoyed a lovely meal here. Especially liked the fried asparagus topped with crabmeat. Next time I'll make that my entrée. Service was good and the dining room was crowded so there was a nice ambience. Good selection of wines at what seemed like reasonable prices. Didn't have dessert so can't comment on those.

I actually like the Westheimer location best. Both are excellent dining establishments!!!

We came here for our anniversary and were pleasantly surprised how delicious it was. I had the pork chops with green beans and then followed by the chocolate mousse cake. Everything was awesome! We will come back. Oh and their cosmopolitans are so delicious :-)

The quality staff, the authentic and genuine recipes and the lovely atmosphere all equate to a wonderful dining experience here at Piatto Ristorante. Upstanding establishment.

My boyfriend & I tried out this place last weekend & it did not disappoint. We ordered crab cakes for an appetizer & they were fabulous. I ordered the Risotto Primavera & my boyfriend ordered the Chicken Parmesan. Everything was absolutely delicious! We were also served bread before our meal. The Italian Margarita was strong, but good! I only needed one :) Service was excellent & our waiter was very polite; we also noticed the owner of the restaurant walking around talking to customers. There is valet parking, but we parked ourselves for free in the parking garage in a visitor spot. A fun dinner date with delicious food!

Unlike several other contributors, I had a bad experience here. The staff seemed to have the attitude that I was just there to serve their purpose - spend as much as possible and get out. No one seemed to smile. This was a special evening for us that wasn't acknowledged in any way even though we made reservations way in advance. There was a hair in my pasta. I know these kinds of mistakes can happen but in the context of this crappy experience, it made me mad. There is a restaurant named Zelko around the corner that is much more fun, authentic and less of the corporate atmosphere found here. I went to Piatto based on Tripadvisor reviews and was really disappointed.

My husband and I have a lovely experience every time we go. It is a quiet, classy Italian restaurant!!!

My family (12 of us) ate here a few evenings ago. The service was terrific. The waiter was attentive and personable. The food was excellent and definitely not 'mass produced'. Each entree was well presented and cooked to perfection. Their signature asparagus/crabmeat appetizer is fantastic. The restaurant is quiet so that we can actually have a conversation. The surroundings are comfortable and the prices quite reasonable. We have eaten there many times and have always had great service and great food.

One of my favorite dishes is the 1/2 lemon chicken. It is cooked on a rotisserie and comes out very moist and juicy. Served with garlic mash potatoes and green beans this meal is hard to beat.

Great food, patient server (our group was mostly late), and fair prices. Their bread and butter was out of this world. Their wine prices, by the glass were reasonable. I loved their lasagna! No complaints from anyone else with us.

This is one of our most favorite restaurants in Houston. We live here and eat here all the time. Sometimes just deciding at the last minute and sometimes for special family occassions. We have our favorite waiter, Squash. We love the whole family there. This is one of the warmest family owned and operated restaurants in town. The food and the service is top notch. I have never had a bad meal. Some of my favorites are the calamari fritti, Nita's chopped salad, Piatto chicken, veal chop, and pork chop.

Stopped in for a quick bite before a meeting. As always, the staff was friendly and attentive -- and my meal was amazing. The absolute best chicken piccata I've ever had -- you can tell that they use the freshest of ingredients. I've never been disappointed with a meal here and I highly recommend this restaurant. See you soon!

Piatto provides excellent service and food. The staff was excellent and friendly. A real dining pleasure.

Had an enjoyable time with family and friends. Restaurant was hopping on a Sunday night. Enjoyed the variety as we shared plates. The seared tuna was superb. Prices were quite reasonable

This was by far some of the best Italian food I have eaten. The price was a little higher but well worth it. Service was fantastic and restaurant was very clean and classy. Quiet environment.

One of the best meals I've ever had. I recommend the sea bass. Also try the key lime pie. Everything was delicious and the wait staff prompt and courteous.

This was our 2nd time here. Food is great. Service is good. Waiter was good in service but has a rough hand (Silverware thrown when taking away plates - not necessary). Adjacent chairs & tables are so close that anyone passing by hits your chairs (including the waiters). I like cozy but not that much where people are bumping constantly. very uncomfortable. My Red Snapper was great. My wife's Lasagna was great too.

The fried asparagus with crab meat had to be sent back to the kitchen because it was not up to par, a very disappointing way to start dinner. Nita's chopped salad had excessive pepperoncini's in it, making it not palatable. My entree of shrimp scampi was bland and visually unappetizing. My wife ordered the mussels and they were nothing special. Our grand daughter ordered sphagetti and her entree lacked enough red sauce to make the sphagetti, look like "sphagetti". John Carraba (the owner) was not at the restaurant tonight, so maybe that explains the overall poor meal. The meal was so disappointing and expensive, I don't now if we will ever eat at Piatto's again.

Always a good meal with many items on menu prepared great. The crab Breaded asparagus a must. All entrees perfectly done in a warm friendly atmosphere.

Expect a food coma in this great little family owned Italian restaurant. Great extras and tasters compliment the menu which has something for all tastes. Classic and traditional service means everything down to the last detail is provided, before you need to ask. Food is delicious and quite frankly the best real Italian I have had for a while. Can be hard to find, but worth looking for!

Ambiance was really inviting and the service was excellent. It was the first time I had eaten there.

I just love this restaurant. My husband and I would go just to get away ...alone. thus setting is nice along with the delicious Italian food.

With a great wine and drink list not to mention a quiet friendly atmosphere, Piattos continues to be one of our Houston favorite spots to relax and unwind after a hard day. We had the Tuna and Chicken with Goat Cheese entrees and don’t forget the famous asparagus appetizer! A nice reasonably priced bottle of Malbec accompanied our fare and the entire meal was delightful. My eating partner has visited many times and the Matri de took his time engaging us in a nice friendly conversation. Within walking distance of the Galleria.

In Houston n vacation. Went there for a late lunch around 2 pm on a Monday. Tortelloni and Penne Melanzane were very good. Cannolli and creme brule were also very good. The ambiance was just average.

Operated by the Carraba family, tucked away off the beaten path so to speak but located in the Galleria area of downtown Houston. I dined on two consectutive evenings ordering the fish special consisting of Salmon topped with crushed tomatos, crab meat, and capers which were cooked in a wine sauce. This meal was outstanding, I returned for a second nite and order one of the Tortellini dishes in a tomato cream sauce and it was equally outstanding. Highly recommend if you are in the Houston Galleria area.

I really enjoyed Piatto's atmosphere. I dined there with a party of five. The food was great (portion sizes were average). The service was great (two waiters ensured we were well taken care of). I received my bill; it was $100.44...WOW! I was the only one on my ticket. They added in their tip (although I typically tip 20%) I was surprised that with our party of five they automatically added the tip (I thought that happened with a party of 8 or more). I don't think my experience was worth $100. Enjoy!

I came here about a month ago with some friends after a long day of shopping at the Galleria. It's in a great spot, just a short walk from the mall so we didn't have to worry about carpooling or parking. The restaurant is a decent size, it's got a pretty authentic Italian feel to it. We luckily didn't have much of a wait, considering it was Saturday night. We were seated in the back left near the restrooms/kitchen entrance. Our waiter was friendly enough and served us our drinks and food pretty quickly. I ordered a shrimp scampi linguine and Italian wedding soup. The servings were generous, enough for leftovers. Price wise, it was a little more expensive than I expected (nothing outrageous), 18-20$ for their entrees. I was a little upset that the bowl of soup was 6$ - not what I was expecting and I wouldn't have ordered it if I had known it didn't come with the meal. The food itself didn't taste bad, it just wasn't really anything memorable. Overall, good place for a quick bite and it's in a prime spot, walking distance from the Galleria. But if you want really good Italian, I'd suggest looking elsewhere, even if it costs a little more.

Top notch service and food! Had dinner and drinks there this evening and was impressed. Everyone’s meal was delicious and the service was top notch. The server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The meals were freshly prepared and fabulous. Highly recommend anyone who is looking for a place to eat that is not a chain restaurants and slightly off the beaten path.

If you're in the Galleria area and want some very good Italian food, try Piatto, immediately south of Dillard's Department Store. The house specialty starter is fried asparagus with crab meat--an order big enough for two is only $13 (you could easily have this as a lunch for one). Every dish we've ordered there has been good with one exception--the chicken Milanesa, which was simply overcooked to the point of being hard; otherwise we haven't had any misses at all. Service was not cold, but not extremely friendly, either. It was also a little on the slow side, but we were not in a hurry. The restaurant tends to be on the noisy side because of glass walls and tile flooring, but the food makes up for the shortcomings.

Brunch buffett... Eh. A foursome of friends all went to give it a try. The selection wasn't too bad...but it was bad. All the usual suspects - pancakes, chicken pasta, cute little chocolate pastry desserts. No nice ham or roast station, no cool pastries or tasty "special items". Some fruit, single topping pizza slices and other stuff that you may like if you have small kids or are the now regualr 55+ group that dines there from the retirement apartments across the street. Sure they are marketing to their neighborhood. Senior adults like the buffet and the offerings they had...but I'd bet they'd really like (for $14+) some really good brunch food. We all ordered the bottomles mimosas - which they insist on bring you one little champagne glass at a time. Each of us drank our down lickity split and we got one of those "oh great a bunch of drunks" looks from our waiter. Maybe if they gave you more than a swallow per glass and would leave the carafe at the table you wouldn't have to fill them so often...just sayin'. But I'm not gonna NOT have what I want because of your policy. Since we first tried the place out some 3 or 4 months ago the service and ambiance has really gone down hill. It seems almost dirty and on life support now.

Lunch or dinner, Piatto Ristorante serves fresh, homemade Italian meals as if you were in Italy. Caprese salad, pork chops to die for, chicken piccatta and steak medallions some of my favorites on the menu. Cannot go wrong with this Carabba family ristorante. High marks for their on-line reservation system, as it works. Location might be difficult for most out of towners to locate, tucked at the end of West Alabama near the loop. Only a few downsides, valet parking, pricey wine by the glass, and a feeling of being rushed to dine (so non Italian). Take your significant other, family and friends, to enjoy this dining experience.

The food was delicious, service was prompt and crisp. Decor made me want to go back to Italy. We always enjoy this little gem, tucked away behind the Williams Tower and the Galleria. Don't miss the asparagus speciali.

We went for restaurant month and had a wonderful dinner. I had the pasta and my husband had the tenderloin. Both were very good. The service was good also. It is a wonderful Galleria area restaurant and close to our house.

Exelent service and food. The bread was hot and crisp. Exelent italian pizza. Staff at the table whenever needed

This is not only a great restaurant but a family atmosphere. We have waited for the new location in the Heights to open because we were already familiar with the one in the Galleria area. Jessica, Janice and John M. Carrabba greet you personally. The food and the service is outstanding! We are so glad to have them in the Heights now!

Wife and I found this on Trip-advisor looking for good Italian food. No problem getting a Sunday evening seat, atmosphere very pleasant, no loud music. Waiter very attentive and knowledgable. Had a cocktail of Mojito and Cosmopolitan that was delicious. Chose a nice Chianti from a good wine selection for the meal. The starter we had and recommended was Asparagus with lump Crab meat and a Lemon Butter sauce that was to die for. Could have made a meal out of that. Entree she had Spinach Ravioli stuffed with cheese and I had the Veal Parmesan. Both dishes were outstanding, just could not finish it all. For dessert we split the Tiramisu with a nice glass of Port wine. Very nice. Even the owners mother, Ms. Carrabba came by the table to chat and ask where we were from. Very nice and pleasant dining experience. Highly recommended.

I think the first thing that struck us about Piatto at 1111 Studewood (not the one on Alabama) is that the menu reminded us of an Olive Garden's. It just looked mass produced. There were loads of choices-- maybe too many? We tried several appetizers -- something with sausage and tomatoes which was mostly tomatoes; the caprese salad-- but the tomatoes had no flavor, aki tuna was quiet good and the escargot with brie was very well done. Wedge salad was blah... Caesar salad was OK and my penne pasta with artichokes and chicken was dry... Mixed drinks weren't bad, wine list was average with some good but rather expensive choices for the most part. Waiter was lovely and very informative and the general manager checked us several times-- could have been because we were the only people dining early on a Sunday evening. And that too could have been why the meals were rather bland? Second shift on deck? We usually give a restaurant a couple of visits before we pan them-- but there are way too many great restaurants in Houston to waste our time on average. Again, great staff-- too bad the food wasn't better. Maybe we should have ordered the pizza...

I have been going to the W. Alabama location for over ten years. You must try the fried asparagus with lump crab meat and lemon butter sauce, you will actually dream about it. Great happy hour drink specials and menu. The service is impeccable and warm. I just cannot say enough great things about this place. Love it! Oh, and frozen Bellinis! Awesomesauce! Enjoy and post back here, I would love to hear :)

Would recommend. Chopped salad w/chicken was good. Too large to finish. Service was good. A little pricy for lunch salads.

A little hidden gem. Excellent food and service.

My wife comes here all the time. It was my first time at this restaurant and i fully enjoyed it. Its a relaxing setting. I had the Linguine with shrimp in a white wine sauce which was perfectly prepared and my wife had the veal Marsala. They have good selection of wines at a reasonable price. There is complimentary valet. The location is perfect if you want to combine with great shopping at the Galleria as its in walking distance

The food is always well prepared. Our favorite starters are the fried asparagus with lump crab meat and the shrimp & crab claws. The main courses are very good too we tend to have the fish special and the pastas. On our latest visit, my wife had the lasagna and I had the veal piccata. Both were excellent. The best part is the owner John Carrabba is always around. It does not matter if it is your first time there or a long time patron, you will be given the same warm welcome.

This restaurant is also well located so close to the Galleria, with easy in and out parking. Perfect service. ESP.loved the special olives and Italian bread. A real tribute to the famous Carrabba family.

Really good food, and the staff was so friendly and attentive. I had spaghetti carbonara that was tasty. Great price point and the atmosphere is very quaint. Definitely recommend this place!

Location just east of Williams Center makes this convenient for anyone in the Galleria area for lunch. Good selection of salads and small plates in addition to the usual Italian dishes and specials. Everything was fresh and hot, tasty but not too spicy.

Delicious dinner once again. Favorite is Asparagus w Jumbo lump crabmeat and lemon butter sauce. Spedini was excellent as was the Chicken Romano. Perfect dirty martini and great wine selection.

Everything was outstanding. The Trout with Shrimp very good. Veal Piccata. excellent. Escargot also very flavorful. Service very attentive. We will go back, always a great dining experience.

From the calamari which is in a wonderful lemon pepperochini butter sauce to the caprese to the mushroom ravioli and the chicken fettuccine Alfredo - no knife needed for anything! It was wonderful to find the mini cannoli without the chocolate chips and with pistachios! The atmosphere is neat with the half- round bar and mosaics.

Went to private post wedding brunch at this restaurant. Absolutely the best food ! all of the food was unbelievability excellent and the staff was great ! Highly recommend this place and would return next time I am in the Galleria District of Houston, Texas.

This place is almost hidden, on West Alabama right before it hits the feeder road on a one way street. But if you find it, you wont be sorry. Its run by one of the Carrabas family members, a famous Houston restaurant family and has the same feel of their name brand chain. The prices are quite reasonable and the service attentive. The wine list is simple and approachable. Try the fried asparagus with crab meat appetizer, its a great way to start.

PROS +Authentic +Free Valet +Intimate +Dessert presentation was nice. CONS -Outdated decor -Slow service MISC >I think if you're looking for a legitimate Italian cuisine experience, give this a try and get something you wouldn't typically order. >I had a bad feeling when we arrived and were the only people in the whole place at 6 pm!

Brunch buffett... Eh. A foursome of friends all went to give it a try. The selection wasn't too bad...but it was bad. All the usual suspects - pancakes, chicken pasta, cute little chocolate pastry desserts. No nice ham or roast station, no cool pastries or tasty "special items". Some fruit, single topping pizza slices and other stuff that you may like if you have small kids or are the now regualr 55+ group that dines there from the retirement apartments across the street. Sure they are marketing to their neighborhood. Senior adults like the buffet and the offerings they had...but I'd bet they'd really like (for $14+) some really good brunch food. We all ordered the bottomles mimosas - which they insist on bring you one little champagne glass at a time. Each of us drank our down lickity split and we got one of those "oh great a bunch of drunks" looks from our waiter. Maybe if they gave you more than a swallow per glass and would leave the carafe at the table you wouldn't have to fill them so often...just sayin'. But I'm not gonna NOT have what I want because of your policy. Since we first tried the place out some 3 or 4 months ago the service and ambiance has really gone down hill. It seems almost dirty and on life support now.

Very disappointed. Hostess was rude. Waiter was rude. Food was not the quality it used to be. Waiter barked at me. They sat us behind a door and when I questioned it, the hostess got in my face and was very rude. It took 20 minutes before we saw a waiter and I had to tell him the family beside us was here first. Caprese was not what it used to be. Balsamic vinegar was watered down. Had to send my food back because it wasn't correct and it was cold. Not a good experience on Mother's Day. Very sorry because we used to love eating here.

this is place is tucked away , its a family restaurant and the service and the people are very cheerful , the actual owners make a point to go around to each table and say hi...obviously there is a lot of regulars and the place is almost packed at peak times .the menu is ok...however its more American Italian than your typical Italian ...i had the scaloppini milanese with spaghetti promodore , the veal crumbs was different to my liking it was herbal , the spaghetti was small portion and thick and not very aldente...then it was accompanied with lemon butter sauce which is a bit odd having a tomato sauce .....i would give it a try again !

Great Italian food, excellent and friendly service. I take clients here for lunch very often. Portions are huge. Good wine selection.

Great white tablecloth lunch dinner place. Professional service. Wait staff have been there for a long time. Always Fresh fish. Good for conversation. Owners always there.

For business lunch, picky clients, special occasions, dinner, even a ladies' night out.... cannot think of a time or group of people we have gone with that have been anything but happy, even thrilled, with Piatto! The asparagus/crab appetizer is our favorite - or maybe the calamari - oh heck, just get both! And I love everything I have gotten there. Of course, Victor in the kitchen is always willing to make it arribiatta (extra spicy) whenever asked. Dessert is terrific - the bar and bartenders are always on top of things. Dirty martini, yes please! Of course the wine list is terrific too. Don't miss out. As I am writing this, I am thinking - What am I doing? The more people who know about it or go there, the tougher it will be for me to get in. But, I cannot help but share. This family-run business in the heart of the galleria area is a little hidden gem. I think an upcoming birthday dinner is in order for someone special.

Lunch was wonderful. Chicken with prosciutto and noodles was excellent. great service and atmosphere.

Really nice and quaint Italian food restaurant. Great service and good enough atmosphere. No problem getting in on a Saturday night. Full bar and reasonable price. Had ravioli, daughter had pizza and son had Chicken Romano, all very good. Bruschetta and fried mozzarella sticks appetizers were also solid. Highly recommend if in Galleria area.

I hate to complain about anything in a restaurant. So I will keep it to the facts only. It is valentines night (I take this strongly into consideration) and we made 8pm reservations . We arrived 15 minutes early. We were sat at 845. at 9:01 we met our waiter and he was not really talking to us he was however ready to take our order. (I would tell you what his name was if I had ever heard it). We ordered an appetizer and entree and he told us that we were getting a salad or soup. My wife ordered the Caesar and I had a wedding soup. The bread came out and it was really good. The Caesar and the wedding soup came and the salad had just too much citrus and the soup was fine. The entrees then came out and we inquired about the appetizer. "Oh so sorry, I can bring it right out" no thanks its o.k. The food was fine... Not great but fine. the server brought me a glass of wine when we were done eating and said sorry this is on me and I said no thank you. We called over a manager because by now it was obvious that the server had never let the manager know that there was any problem at the table. We informed the manager that we just wanted to let them know that we felt like the restaurant had fallen flat that night and that the salad and the soup were on the bill after the server had told us that they were included she said that they would be removed. The server came back with the bill and there had been no change. I was more than disappointed in the evening especially after all of the great things that I had heard and read. We were offered a gift card... a free desert... anything that they could do to make us happy. We said no we just wanted to let them know. Any just so that you know I have been a professional server for well over 20 years and this is the first time I have ever written anything negative about anything,