Where: Bellissimo in the Heights, 6500 N Main St, Houston, TX
When:  January 4, 2013

First place was ladies’ choice. We met after work at a nearby coffee shop and decided to start our gastronomic New Year’s resolution. We had plans with friends that evening, so I chose a neighborhood restaurant I had heard good things about.  I figured the spicy Mexican influences would please Brenden and I would be happy with the creamy, cheesy Italian dishes. Plus, I haven’t had much Italian food in Houston  and wanted something warm and comforting in my belly in the few weeks of cold weather we experience each year.

We arrived just before 7pm and on a Friday night, we had one couple ahead of us in line, which was extremely reasonable given the size of the space. I was relieved to see it be relatively casual for an Italian place.  We had a small wait and were seated and served by our waiter, Omar. Omar was very friendly and asked how we had heard about Bellissimo. He happily explained the compelling story behind the restaurant, how the head chef of Mia Bella had ventured out with his own family-run restaurant.

Bellissimo has applied for but has not received their alcohol license and is currently BYOB. Everyone dining had brought their own wine bottle(s). We were still alcoholed-out from New Year’s Eve and elected a favorite of ours to drink, sparkling water.

Viewing the menu, we saw many enticing dishes; it was hard to make a decision. You had the option to create your own pasta or pizza sans the usual upcharges for customization. We decided to forgo an appetizer, and each got an pasta dish with a Caesar salad. Brenden chose the Main Street, pasta with grilled chicken, Italian sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes in a black pepper cream sauce. I dined on a dish I think was called Fettuccine alla Bellissimo, with shrimp, spinach, mushrooms in a Parmesan cream sauce (note to self: keep more notes to self next time).

While we waited for our food, we enjoyed our fresh bread and olive oil and watched the wait to get a table grow. Both of us remarked how excellent our timing was.  We wrote the rules of our 52 Dates resolution and what to include on a post.

Our Caesar salads had real anchovy on them, something I always appreciate. Our food came perfect, portioned well and seasoned. I was surprised how much of a kick the typically mild alfredo  sauce had. I loved my meal.  Brenden was still hungry after finishing, so we ordered dessert. We settled on the tiramisu. It wasn’t exceptional, but it presented well.

When our check came, I was very pleased – we got specialty beverages, salads, 2 pasta dishes and dessert and with tip the total came to (wait for it)… 52 dollars. I was glad to explore my own neighborhood and find this not-so-secret gem of a restaurant. We hope to return soon (definitely on off-peak hours!)

Brenden’s Take: 

Overall, I found the salad, pasta and dessert average Italian food. The place is new and they’re trying to make it work on a budget, so the place is a little cramped. With how they laid out their floor plan, I kept getting bumped into by the waiter. I would go back though and try something completely different, like the pizza, but I would hit it up on a weekday.