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Antica Osteria

MY REVIEW: The decor is romantic with it's warm aged walls and woodwork. Diners have the option of sitting next to the street on the beautiful covered patio that runs along the front of the building and links the restaurant and lounge area.

It's dinner only at this warm Italian restaurant offering a well executed menu. Veal chops and boar chops share space with lamb chops grilled with fragrant rosemary; veal scaloppine perches atop a refreshing salad of peppery arugula. Filling pasta dishes (the huge ricotta-stuffed ravioli is our favorite) are properly prepared crowd-pleasers. Side salads of field greens, or arugula and fennel, are lightly dressed to let the natural flavors shine. We especially appreciate the wine list, heavy with unusual Italian options and several Super Tuscans. Charming, dimly lit rooms in this old house make for a romantic setting conducive to sharing the chocolate mousse for dessert making for an enchanted dining experience.

NAME: Alain Harvey
SUBMITTED: 3/18/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: the food and service were both Excellent Lorena took excellent care of us. Food was delicous. Ingredients were excellent, The proscuitto on the entrees was great, not to salty. Scallop appetizer was delicious. Excellent mozzerella on the salad. Bar drinks were just right. I will highly reccomend this restaurant to anyone.

NAME: M79
SUBMITTED: 6/21/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/21/2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Great food and service, love the owners. Everyone is very attentive and kind. The wine list goes on and on and as for the high quality, fresh food and service it's one of the best. We love he quiantness, neighborhood type resturant and the ability to entertain business and friends. The parking is fine as long as you valet, my friend parked his Mazarati down by K*ays in the street and came to fine a truck had backed into his hood. Not at all the resturants faulty. I did encourge my friend to get it but he declined.

We always go back when we can.

NAME: DNavarro
SUBMITTED: 10/28/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 9/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: We tried Antica Osteria again last night from a four year hiatus. We came early because we didn't have reservations and the place fills up. Appreciated the free valet parking. They were barely open, but we had no problems waiting in the bar with a pleasant bartendress. They had a nice table ready at the time we requested. The room had a nice decor matching the ambiance and although full, we didn't feel crowded. Service was prompt and attentive. Menu was varied plus they have several specials all at reasonable prices. Due to a late lunch we only had caesar salads and appetizers, however and both were large portions and excellent. Had a wonderful tiramisu desert with Italian expresso as afters. All in all a very pleasant experience. Will come back.

NAME: la
SUBMITTED: 10/2/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Overall : we liked it very much. The service is good, the food is lovely!, portions are average and decent.

Strong points: flavor, food, service.

Weak points: Parking, it may be difficult to park on that street.

Appetizers were good and entrees even better - good flavor and taste.

Wine, and dessers were good also.

NAME: CM
SUBMITTED: 5/10/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 08/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Servers were very attentive, even the ones not assigned to our table. Food was truly delicious, and not as high-priced as I expected after reading the reviews below. Did not feel rushed at all. Cozy ambiance. Only problem was there were a group of loud, drunken, adults that were completely obnoxious and disturbing the entire restaurant. The manager did come over and apologize and we realize that this was not within control of the restaurant. Valet was great. Would eat there again, hopefully without the obnoxious drunks around.

NAME: S
SUBMITTED: 4/18/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Good food and service. although service makes you feel rushed. tables very close together. For the price the service has to be more relaxed and not made to feel like they want you out of there so they can fill your table again.

NAME: '63AG
SUBMITTED: 8/9/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: August/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Ambiance was nice, though the dining area is a little crowded when it's full (we sat upstairs). Food was good (not great) and I expected more for the price; we had 3 couples at our table, and with tip we spent about $450 on food and drinks. Service was above par, but still not what I would expect for a restaurant in this price range. Overall the experience was nice, but it seemed overpriced without a doubt. I guess free valet parking makes up for *some* of this. I guess.

NAME: richy240
SUBMITTED: 3/16/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: This restaurant continues to offer great service and great food. I proudly bring my friends and family here and I know that my guests will go away happy and full.

The wine list is good and the daily specials are great. So if you have not tried this restaurant you should. Sure there is D*aMarcos and it too is great but I think you will find the prices very reasonable and get a fine meal.

Ciao

NAME: Gordon Clunn
SUBMITTED: 2/18/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/09
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Overall I think this is a great restaurant as the atmosphere is unique, the food is tasty, and the wine list has many reasonable priced wines all accompanied by excellent service. I especially enjoy the venison carpaccio and veal with mushrooms. My only complaint is with their baby lamb chops, a frequent special. We have had bad luck with them on several occasions, most recently because they were fatty.

NAME: DinklyLee3
SUBMITTED: 12/30/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Wow, what an incredible place! My wife and I made reservations when we found out we had a rare night alone.

Upon arrival, valet parking was quick and easy. Our table was ready immediatly upon our arrival, as we were seated right away.

The atmosphere was incredible, and we were able to sit and relax with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir.

My wife and I thorougly enjoyed our appetizers and meals, both recommended by our fantastic waiter.

I have my suspicions that the negative reviews below were posted by owners of competing restaurants, fully aware of the gem created by Velio and his restauranteurs!!

NAME: Sugarlandian
SUBMITTED: 7/21/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I dined here recently with a client who lives nearby and loves the place. I had seen it driving by but had never given it much attention.

I was amazed and pleased to find such a gem.

Service was amazing. They seated us almost immediatley without a reservation, even though it seemed to be a fairly busy evening.

The waiter was very nice and attentive. The off the menu selections were creative and well thought out.

I had the Venison Carpaccio for an app and the lamb chops for dinner (both specials). My dining companions both had the filet. Everything was wonderful.

This place is a keeper, I will return!

NAME: Robnhou
SUBMITTED: 5/22/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 5/08
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: This was my first time dining at this restaurant and we look forward to returning already! Both my dining partner and I are skeptical of Italian food in this city as many of the hometown favorites have disappointed....it could be that we are cursed, but this was not the case at Antica Osteria. We went for dinner on a Friday night and were very happy to find a small quaint dining room which was not overly crowded (although later in the evening it did fill up but was still quaint/romantic). We enjoyed well prepared (yet strong) cocktails and slowly made our way into the dinner choices and review of the extensive off-the-menu selections.

We ordered the following:

Tomato salad w/ crab - was delicious! The crab was fresh and plentiful, the tomatoes were ripe, and a pesto sauce drizzeled was very refreshing. We split this salad and they kindly separated it into two well presented portions which were still very generous on their own.

Ravioli filled with cheese and served w/ a porcini and tomato sauce - AWESOME! My partner and I agreed this was the best ravioli dish we have ever had. The pasta was perfectly cooked (al dente but not chewy) and the ricotta filling was just a little salty which was perfect for us. The sauce was an elegant mushroom infused tomato sauce with porcinis and diced tomatoes...again, the best ravioli dish we have had! This choice was also split which made a nice pasta course and still left room for an entree (we were hungry!).

For the entree we ordered a Seabass dish and the Lamb Chops. Both were cooked perfectly...the fish was served with a very light and flavorful white wine sauce, and the lamb chops were served simply grilled. The lamb was so tender it barely required a knife. These were the dainty lamb chops that you can eat in 2 bites....but there was plenty to eat as 4 came with the plate. The vegetable sides were served just barely cooked, almost undercooked but that was just fine for our tastes.

Overall the service was very attentive but not doting on us either. It was just right!

The only complaint we had was regarding the wine list....after noticing that the menu prices were somewhat reasonable considering the food, we were disappointed to see that the wine was pricey. It was not as bad as steak house wine lists, but definitely not in the reasonably priced category either. Most bottles started in the $40 range. We did end up ordering one option by the glass, a red to go with the lamb chops, which turned out to be a very decent Zin. I would suggest trying the wines by the glass for next time.

I am glad to finally say that this city has an Italian restaurant that I loved! We are looking forward to returning!!!

NAME: Inner Loop Foodie
SUBMITTED: 5/12/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: May/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: My family and I went on a great recommendation from a frequenter who was with us as well.

Atmosphere was great, waiter was kind, knowledgeable and patient with our questions. Food was great and we will be back!

NAME: The Polks
SUBMITTED: 4/22/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/2008
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Friends recommended Antica Osteria for its romantic atmosphere and great food, and they were certainly right about the atmosphere! We walked in the front door and heard the Italian accent of the owner, and thought we were in for a treat - that we had found an authentic Italian restaurant in Houston.

However, we found the food to be Antica Osteria's downfall. My husband and I have both lived in Italy, and perhaps that makes us more critical, but we were both disappointed across the board with the food at Antica Osteria. We shared a mezzaluna pasta for a starter and, frankly, Americanized C*arrabba's does it better. The filling was flavorless and the pasta overcooked (not al dente). Parmesan cheese (parmigiano) was not offered. Then my husband had the rack of veal, and I had the trout. Neither were distinguished. I honestly felt I could have made a more flavorful trout at home, and I'm not even a good cook. The wine my husband selected from the wine list was not available.

The service also was wanting. The pasta course came out quickly, but then we waited for at least half an hour for the main courses. Our waiter butchered the pronunciation of all words Italian, and was mostly absent. We practically had to beg for our check at the end of the meal.

Last, even the menu disappointed, as it had numerous errors in both English and Italian, painful to read. The good news is, Da M*arco has NOTHING to worry about here!

NAME: Italian lovers
SUBMITTED: 11/4/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/27/07
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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