Bellissimo - Review - Independence Heights - Houston - The Infatuation

"Bellissimo is the only restaurant in the center of Independence Heights. And even though it might look like a spare banquet hall, it serves incredible Italian food. The dining room is low-effort, with a few mismatched booths and bright red napkin rolls. But the food is the opposite. Expect a little flavor surprise, like the mozzarella fritti with a thin layer of pesto inside. And the melanzane parmigiano with eggplant smothered in roasted tomato sauce is so deeply savory you might get lost inside. Even though the food tastes like a five-star meal, the prices are anything but. The most expensive dish here is $34 for a surf-and-turf shrimp and ribeye dish that we would happily pay twice as much for. Food Rundown Mozzarella Fritti As far as fried cheese goes, this is a nesting doll of flavor. The breadcrumb and herb crust surround a thin layer of bright basil pesto. And inside lies hot mozzarella with a pull so epic it could circle the 610 loop twice. photo credit: Liz Silva Melanzane Parmigiano Forget eggplant lasagna or parmesan. Melanzane parmigiano should be the go-to here, with its tender layers of eggplant, just-sweet tomato sauce, and veils of brûléed cheese. photo credit: Liz Silva Lasagna Di Carne This is a classic American rendition of lasagna. Bellissimo’s is full of flavor with simple but time-tested ingredients like fresh ricotta and ground beef. photo credit: Liz Silva Tiramisu This well-executed dessert comes with a thick layer of crispy chocolate bits over top. Make sure to incorporate it into every bite. photo credit: Liz Silva" - Chelsea Thomas