Date Visited: April 28 and May 7, 2023
For the E in our date night series, it required two stops. We first visited Enoteca Rossa for a quick date lunch, then returned about a week later to try more of the offerings. This review will include dishes from both visits.
For our first visit, we sat on the patio out front as a last chance to enjoy the blink-or-you-will-miss-it Spring in Houston. Pam ordered the Verdura Pizza – a fantastic array of zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms and asparagus combined with mozzarella and ricotta. The pizza crust was light but toothsome and crunchy, while the veggies were fresh and perfectly roasted. Simply delicious even for those of us who typically do not enjoy eggplant. It is large enough to split or enjoy for 2 meals.
Jeff enjoyed the Chicken Parmigiana. The chicken was moist and the breading was perfectly crisp. It is served with fettucine pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, herbs and olive oil. The dish is a great combination and large, so Jeff took over half of it home to enjoy the next day.
For our second visit, we invited Pam’s parents to join us and enjoy the flavors. We arrived around 11:30am on Sunday, and the restaurant was not quite ready for everyone who showed up at opening. While the server was kind and courteous, he was “in the weeds” and did not have any help to help dig out. Since he was the sole server and bartender, it took quite a while to just get drinks. Over time the service did improve and we enjoyed our visit.
While we were waiting for her parents, Pam ordered a cup of the Tomato Basil Soup. It was thick and delicious, with the stewed grape tomato being a great add. Highly recommend starting with it as it kept us satisfied until the rest of our group arrived. We also started with a Bloody Mary and Mimosas (which is a good deal with cheap refills). Perfect drinks for brunch.
For our mains, we enjoyed two different pizzas – a Pepperoni Pizza and the Diavolo Pizza. The pepperoni is a simple, good quality pizza with sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni. The crisp on the pepperoni was just right. The Diavolo is a great pizza with a little kick, made with sauce, mozzarella, calabrese, prosciutto cotto and Calabrian peppers. Once again the crust was light and flavorful.
Pam ordered their take on her favorite Carrabba’s dish – Chicken Bryan Texas. The Enoteca Rossa version is perfectly grilled chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and capers in a butter sauce, all topped with a lightly fried round of goat cheese. The dish is served with fresh pasta mixed with tomatoes, herbs and olive oil. The combination of flavors on the chicken and the tartness of the capers melded with the creamy goat cheese to create a very tasty meal. It was a marvelous dish that she will likely be getting when we return.
Pam’s mother got the Mashed Avocado Benedict which is two poached eggs, tomato and avocado atop a nicely toasted seeded batard, then covered with a creamy hollandaise sauce. The dish is served with fingerling potatoes and a side of bacon. The eggs were well poached, and the thick slices of tomato balanced the richness of the dish. It must have been good as it did not last too long.
Overall during our two visits to this small restaurant, we were impressed by the food. While there we saw friends grabbing a quick meal, a family enjoying a meal together, colleagues taking in a business lunch and during brunch, a table of ladies enjoying the food and mimosas. Enoteca Rossa is a great place to grab a quick lunch or enjoy a evening date with your significant other. They do have a well appointed bar and wine list too.
Enoteca Rossa – 4566 Bissonnet Avenue, Houston, Texas 77401
HOURS
Closed on Mondays
Sunday, Tues-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm
Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm
Pam & Jeff Rate the Chef 