Amore

"Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, spotlighting such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, egg souffle with jamon iberico, and Adriatic sea bass — all prepared with black truffles. If pizza is more your speed, try the Romana pie with anchovies or the burrata with prosciutto and egg, cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven." - Megha McSwain, Brittany Britto Garley

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston

"Dine in at this Rice Village staple, which will prepare a five-course brunch, held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For $80 per person, diners can start with cacio e pepe fritters, followed by an appetizer, entrees like lamb chops, turkey, or roasted halibut, and endless sides, with the option of adding tagliolini or risotto with a side of truffles. Finish with dessert, with a choice between Italian bread pudding, a warmed apple crostata, or a white Mont Blanc." - Brittany Britto Garley

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston

"Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, including such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, the egg souffle with jamon iberico, and Adriatic sea bass — all prepared with black truffles. If pizza is more your speed, try the Romana pie with anchovies or the burrata with prosciutto and egg, cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven." - Brittany Britto Garley, Megha McSwain

Fabiola Cortes

Google

The food was AMAZING! Best pasta we’ve ever had! I had the tagliolini and my husband had the veal, both delicious! Ricardo “Ricky” and Raul were both exceptionally nice, both attentive, Ricardo was our main waiter but Raul also kept checking up on us. Will DEFINITELY come back

Gloriannie López

Google

Your ideal date night restaurant! The dim lighting makes it a very warm and cozy atmosphere. Service was exceptional, and the food was excellent. Portions were just right and it everything just tasted delicious.

Javier Mestre

Google

Indeed hidden gem. Food is made so simply amazing with Olive Oil and fresh ingredients. Mario took care of my family very well. We enjoyed the Smoked Salmon and the special fish Orata. They were amazing. We will be back

Jainif Marediya

Google

This place is fine. Got a few things for takeout and nothing stood out. The tagliolini was the one I was most excited about but tasted too one note - like cheese - and didn’t have any other textures given the thing spaghetti. I don’t think I’d get any of these again - Tagliolini - Ravioli Occhi - Garganelli - Buttermilk Cake

Christopher Roza

Google

The interior is nicely designed and romantic. This is a great date spot, and closed out 2023 here with my wife. The first thing that will stand out to you is the attentive staff, napkin placed, cup filled, and recommendations given. There is no bar for cocktails, but they have a great wine list, and we went with a Pinot Grigio. Our appetizer was the fried artichoke; we really enjoyed the textual differences between fried petals and soft hearts; the sauce was citrus-based and very delicious. Rated by the Houston Chronicle as a pizza destination for Houston, we tried the wood-fired Calabrese Pizza and enjoyed it. It had a nice soft texture for the dough and was cooked Neapolitan style with a leopard crust. We tried the special for the day, a perfectly cooked Dover sole with capers and sides of sauteed spinach and roasted potatoes. The oooh and awe of the meal was the Wild Boar Pappardelle, which is hand-made in-house and reminded me of the pasta we have had in Italy. Of course, we will be returning for another great experience and encourage you to try it out!

Reem Wahoud

Google

The restaurant isn't fancy; the decor and ambiance evoke a cold theme, not particularly relaxing. However, the food is good. I had the most delicious lobster pasta ever, along with many other dishes, including a yummy pizza. However, I wouldn't recommend the truffle pasta; it wasn't good at all.

Rebecca Lee

Google

Nice Atmosphere & wait staff. The food was chefs kiss! I ordered the Black truffle pasta with chicken and a glass of Rose it was delicious. The owner was very polite and welcoming. Great place for a quiet quaint dinner.

Andras Heczey

Google

An Italian gem in Houston The venue is an elegant, 17 table elongated space with a long window overlooking Shepherd providing a nice ambience. The menu is dominated by authentic Italian flavors as expected with two interesting twists: a range of truffle inspired dishes and outstanding pizzas. The latter is somewhat rare in upscale / fine dining restaurants. They serve a good variety of exceptional pastas and flavorful seafood as well. We tried the octopus salad which is a nice mix of nuanced seafood with tangerine giving a hint of tropical aromas. Their grilled octopus was perfectly done and brought plenty of savory notes to our palate. We tried the tagliolini from their truffle flavored selection and was really impressed with the right blend of tastes melting together in our mouths. There are plenty of desserts and the pictures I am attaching can give you a hint about their exceptional taste harmony, best to try them. The service was excellent, polite, but attentive - the staff is there when needed without interrupting conversations.

Nicole K.

Yelp

This was my first visit to Amore, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The venue itself was rather narrow and noisy in the front section. With limited space for the busy waitstaff to operate, the outer seating kept getting bumped. As such, we opted for a table in the back which was much quieter to have our conversations. The wait staff was very attentive and answered all of our questions with ease. The only thing I didn't prefer was when the waiter kept reaching across my plate to help my cousin with her questions. As for the food, we started off with the Heirloom salad and Argula salad, which were very good. Then, for our entrees, we tried the Branzino and Chilean Sea Bass. Hands down, I loved the Chilean Sea Bass. Also, the desserts that we tried were the Baked Alaska, Chocolate cake, sorbet and gelato. All of these selections were delicious. I will definitely go back to try other dishes including the Crudos, pizza and more desserts. Look forward to my next visit and will tell all of my friends about this venue.

Michael C.

Yelp

I finally tried this place and decided to get the Pasta Bolognese. It was very fresh and delicious with noticeable richness, fat and some mild spiciness. The noodles were really good, kind of thick and could pass for handmade. The gravy was like an Italian version of chili and the meat was most likely an 80/20 type with a seasoned, savory catch in profile. The herbs n spices were very well balanced in this entree overall. Service was great. I might also try another dish when I return in the future.

Janet K.

Yelp

I was really looking forward to eating here and was so disappointed. We were crammed into a very small table. The tables that were pushed together were not the same height leaving an uneven line in the middle of two place settings. The heirloom salad was okay, nothing special with very chewy pancetta around it. The fried artichoke was not very good. My scallop entree was tasty but there were only 2 scallops and half a plate of bland risotto. My husband's sea bass was delicious and the desserts were good. Overall, the dining experience was unimpressive. There are too many very good Italian food restaurants to bother going back here.

Clare C.

Yelp

Came here for pasta the night before my half marathon. Was able to find parking in the neighborhood down the street. Inside was very fancy and very clean. The workers were all so so nice and welcoming. The quality of the ingredients and food was top notch. I ordered a pasta dish for ~$16. It was surprisingly very filling. The sauce and meat were great. I really enjoyed it and the size was great. Overall I was very happy with our dining experience!

Stacey S.

Yelp

So we went here based of a TikTok review and honestly I feel somewhat misled. I really wanted to love this restaurant but it really fell short. Overall vibe: Nice trying to reflect high end but the space is very small. Staff: very nice, quick, knowledgeable and funny. Parking: only valet unless you can find a spot on the street. Drinks: only wine and beer (very limited beer selection) Appetizers: We started off with the side of eggplant, celery salad and artichoke. All were very nice, good but nothing stood out where we were blown away by it. Entrees: We got the braised short rib, macaroni, Garganelli and ravioli. No major complaints on the food except the Garganelli, the sauce was not as smooth as one would expect it to be. The ravioli was just one ravioli (don't be surprised there). The short rib was super tender and had great flavor and the macaroni was just red sauce and meatballs. We opted out of dessert as a horrid smell overtook the dining area when they opened the kitchen door. It was so off putting I almost got sick. Thankfully I still had my napkin but the rest of my party did not. It smelled like sewage and wet dogs. Given this we would not likely return or recommend this restaurant to others.

Whitney L.

Yelp

I enjoyed the ambiance of Amore! It's cute inside and we got a nice corner table. Our waiter was pretty attentive and overall wasn't pushy and was very helpful with how much food to order. We got a meatball appetizer which was good and the prosciutto and burrata, both of which I enjoyed. The pizza was also good (forgot to take a pic!) and of the two pastas I recommend the bolognese over the macaroni, which I felt lacked some flavor. I think this is a pretty decent spot for Italian food and good for a date, but overall for the price not quite sure the food measures up.

Silvia D.

Yelp

We went here for a date night / birthday celebration. Our server was super attentive and knowledgeable. We opt for one of their specials, which I believe was lamb. We had their artichoke and truffle egg soufflé. It was SO. Good! And our server brought us two desserts because we couldn't decide. Most definitely go back! Such a cozy place!

Kayla N.

Yelp

We tried Amore for the first time. We came for dinner on a weeknight, and our server was excellent. Table service was also great, with them changing out plates and utensils often. Overall, we enjoyed the meal and experience.

Vincent C.

Yelp

TL;DR - great fancy Italian place that is perfect for special occasions or a date night dinner. Would low key come back here just for that puff pasty dessert. Food - well executed Italian food with some creative flair. The arugula, Asian pear, and prosciutto salad was so yummy with a great balance of savory, sweet, and veggies. The fish and steak dishes were pretty good, but not as creative or unique as the salad. However, that puff pasty sandwich dessert was so good that I remember it to this day, almost a year later. The puff pasty was so crispy and airy and the vanilla bean cream inside complimented the pastry very well. I'd come back just for this dessert haha Service - professional and standard. Ambiance - dim lighting, traditional and fancy interior, and a more formal dress code create a classic fine dining interior that is perfect for someone looking for a high class experience.

Carolina B.

Yelp

A delectably beautiful dinner experience! I think I found my favorite Italian restaurant in Houston! This used to be the Maine-ly lobster roll restaurant, so now that they revamped the building into a romantic fine-dining establishment, I'm super happy to have it in my pocket when I'm in the mood for this fare. My husband and I enjoyed a great dinner from beginning to end. I had a tomato & burrata salad that was divine. This is my favorite salad anywhere and I think Amore makes my favorite one I've ever had! The pastas are so good, and so are their desserts. We had the panna cotta this time and it was perfect. The only thing that is a negative is the smell coming from... somewhere. It's not the bathroom. I only smelled it at the very beginning when we sat down and at the very end when we had paid our check and about to leave. So the food at least masks it... I have had a few medical offices in leased buildings that had this exact same smell, and it is extremely difficult to find the culprit, but I feel in my bones that it's a dead rat in the ceiling--most likely had been there since before they took over from Maine-ly. I hope they can figure out a solution because I would hate for others to make that a dealbreaker. I want to keep Amore around for the long run!

Vlad V.

Yelp

I stopped by for dinner at Amore Italian Restaurant for my first Houston Restaurant Weeks this year. Located off of Shepherd, it's valet only. Never a fan of that but I found parking on a side street close by. Amore is a narrow restaurant, but a pretty lengthy one, and I was seated in the back. After starting off with an iced tea, I made my selections for my three-course meal. My first dish was a lobster bisque which was delicious. Served with some bread, it's the type of dish where you want to soak up every last bite. From there, I went with the petit filet, medium rare of course, and finally the tiramisu for dessert. Tiramisu is my favorite dessert so I couldn't say no. Overall, everything was elegant and well done. The portion sizes were on the smaller side but that's sometimes what you get with HRW. It really depends on where you go. Service was standard. All in all, while I didn't fall in love (more) with Amore Italian Restaurant, I am interested in dating them occasionally.

Daniel F.

Yelp

Wonderful cozy and quiet restaurant with phenomenal authentic Italian food and exceptional service.

Haeli Y.

Yelp

The service was great! Everyone was attentive. If our waiter wasn't asking us, someone was. The parking situation was mid. It's down the streets or valet. I really enjoyed the artichoke appetizer, truffle pasta, and the truffle pizza! The meatball macaroni tasted like gas.. the size of the restaurant is small with not many seating available compared to others. I would make reservations ahead.

Anissa A.

Yelp

I would like to give them two stars but in the spirit of Valentine's Day, they get three. I figured we were in for an intimate candlelight dinner but there were multiple times when I was really worried the power would go out. The lights were flickering all night long and would turn off for a few seconds at a time. While our waiter was nice and the food was tasty, the preset menu options were not worth $120 per person. I know restaurants can basically do whatever they want on cupids day but if wasn't for my wonderful date, I would've left before our first dish came. Our reservation was for 9 pm and we arrived on time, yet didn't get our first corse until 9:33. The grilled octopus was the star of the night and the rest of the food was fine. But they didn't have any dairy free options left for dessert so they brought my date a plate of fruit instead. We were sat right in the middle of all the madness even though there was a lovely open table in the corner the entire night. We were both bumped multiple times and ended the night with frustration over them having a very outdated payment system. I will give a shout to the closing shift valet. He really hustled and did a great job.

Amanda B.

Yelp

Idk if it was the bottle of red blend() but I thoroughly enjoyed this spot, the vibe, and our very lovely and patient server, Ricky. Overall: 8/10 & can't wait to book my next resy to explore more of their menu. Potato Croquettes-10/10 wow; savory, salty, truffley; those little things are packed with flavor! Tagliolini truffle (we're greedy so we had to try both black & white truffle pastas)-10/10 both truffles were impeccable in flavor; not too pungent, just perfect (I'd say top 5 in Houston) Lamb Chops (Australian)- 7/10 beautiful crust but the flavor of the meat was just okay Rapini all Salto - 10/10 brocollini was the perfect butter-garlicky side of ruffage Octopus- 9/10 yummers...cooked to perfection and marinated in heaven; very tender, not chewy Ribeye (off-menu special) - 7/10 lovely sauce atop and cooked well but the steak itself could've been seasoned better Lobster pasta- 7/10 delectable dish but it was quite salty so I couldn't eat much of it Apple crostata- 8/10 Bread pudding- 8/10 Parking: a bit limited from what I could gage but there's a $5 valet along the side of building

Sofía G.

Yelp

I loved trying Amore! We went for a date night and got all the romantic vibes. The place is BYOB and we brought two Prosecco bottles. Food was so good, I recommend!

Nima S.

Yelp

Came to Amore with a big party for a birthday. Really small inside but they do have space in the back for big groups. Waiters were great and very attentive. They also didn't seem to care that the foreigners were eating snacks they brought from home and sharing. The food was very solid, but I do feel like the portions are a bit small. Had some kind of truffle pasta as my main. The only booze they have is wine and buddy we ran through a few bottles. Overall it was nice for the occasion and they didn't end up kicking out the loud ass group of Iranians so I'd definitely recommend this as a dinner spot.

Ann N.

Yelp

We were so excited to try Amore for a birthday dinner but I don't think well be coming back any time soon! - The restaurant is tiny and you'll definitely be able to inadvertently overhear your neighbors' conversation and vice versa. If you're seated close to the entrance, you might feel a draft from the traffic coming in & out. - Parking is valet in their lot behind the restaurant but there's plenty of free street parking if you're willing to walk a block or two down the street. - Truffle pasta was what I was looking forward to the most. For $48 I was expecting a wow factor but I've had the same if not better at Potente. The pasta was warm and rich but I wouldn't come back again if I were craving it. The value just isn't there. - Service was great in the beginning but as the restaurant became more packed it became harder to track down our waiter. Toward the end it felt rushed and impersonable which we were disappointed in. - The biggest strength of theirs is the octopus. It's probably the best I've ever had. - Skip the bread pudding. We've had better elsewhere.

Shima Z.

Yelp

I've dined at Amore a handful of times now. Every time I've visited, the food was phenomenal. The only negative is trying to decide what to order because it's all so good. I love the potatoe croquettes and lamb meatballs as apps. I've had the branzino, the truffle pizza, and truffle tagliolini. Definitely go when it's white truffle season as well!

Nelly C.

Yelp

5/5 they blew me away! Right away the service was great everyone was very polite and proper. We were seated with Ricky who was so kind and genuine. We ordered the octopus that was cooked perfectly. I think the salad dressing could be a bit better but the octopus was so perfect I didn't care. The beef short rib was tender and flavorful. One of the best things we've had in a while. I'd come back for this! We ordered the truffle pasta it was good too. It's good for sharing. After tasting the short rib though I'd pick the short rib though. We also got the Mille dessert and it was perfect! They recommended it and it really was great. I recommend the octopus, short rib and the Mille dessert ! Can't wait to go back. Only recommendation for the restaurant is a more flavorful dressing for the octopus salad. And to give itemized receipts.

Alex M.

Yelp

We went to Amore for my wife's birthday after passing the spot a few times on Shepherd and wondering what it would be like! Parking - They have valet but we just parked on Main Street and walked the 2 minutes to the restaurant. Not a big deal, plenty of open spots. Ambience - Small, but intimate. The overhead light chandeliers would flicker on/off every few minutes. It was very distracting, we came for dinner, not a rave. I mentioned it to our Server and he said "oh the place has electrical problems, it flickers when the AC turns on, it's been like that since Day 1," and walked away. Sorry, but that's not acceptable. Food - Benign & forgettable, other than the prices. They price like they are staffed by celebrity chefs who invented a new kind of pasta, which for Houston's high bar, means you better deliver. And they deliver about as well as a high school teenager in a band delivers pizzas. Short answer? Go to State of Grace, Nancy's Hustle or Rosie Cannonball and pay lower prices in a better space for much better food.

Claudia M.

Yelp

Dinner date night after a ribbon cutting ceremony in Downtown. The restaurant was very busy and they were booked solid. However, they made room for us and were extremely accommodating. The waitstaff was excellent. Everyone was super nice and food was out quickly. Chef Alfredo came out and checked on us and those in our area. We had the celery salad, fried artichoke, Chilean Sea Bass, short ribs, panna cotta, and mille foglie. Everything was fantastic! Definitely recommend. New favorite spot. Looking forward to coming back with the family.

Clynton M.

Yelp

I happened to come by a day where they had no clear sign on their establishment, but now it is present as I pass by the restaurant every day. Parking may be a bit difficult, but you may park in the adjacent neighborhood. The restaurant is a very minimalistic in terms of its design, but don't let that disguise their flavorful profile portrayed in their dishes. Bread (5/5): FRESH out of the oven. Well baked with a crispy outside and soft luscious inside. Their extra virgin olive oil was flavorful and simple. No additional seasoning needed. Grilled Octopus (5/5): A very refreshing small arugula salad with fresh pieces of mandarin orange, radish, and of course the main attraction of the show, the grilled octopus. The octopus was cooked to perfect with a crispy outer layer and tender inside. I believe the dressing was some kind of citrus vinaigrette, which was nice and light! Margherita (5/5): Simple, yet DELICIOUS. I feel like this is the pizza that determines if an establishment makes good pizza. Each slice had Mozzarella di bufala and basil. Their sauce base was delicious and well seasoned. What more can I ask? Given that their pizzas are baked in a Wood-Burning Oven, this elevates their pizzas, compared to pizza being made in an electric oven. Service was very well-established. I felt taken care of as soon as I entered through when I left. My water was constantly refilled and the waiters made sure to constantly check on me to make sure everything was okay. A+ Overall: 5/5

Shelley E.

Yelp

Romantic atmosphere. We always order truffle pasta. Delicious salads. Service is always great.

Audrey L.

Yelp

While the decor, service, and atmosphere was welcoming and nice...the food seemed to be overhyped. The truffle pasta wasn't exactly worth the hype, it was very salty and overwhelmingly rich. I wish they would have mentioned that the Tortelli Di Zucca had pumpkin.... The Risotto Dorato was well cooked and the rest were well displayed and decorated but flavors didn't seem to compliment or pair well with each other. Although, the pizza was worth it and unique of its own flavor and method. The only satisfying thing enjoyed coming here was the Grilled Octopus, it was very tender and flavorful. This place overall wasn't what I was expecting.

Chelle N.

Yelp

Dined in in Valentine's Day for a party of two. Their prix fixe menu was impressive for $120 per person. There is valet and street parking. We ordered: Patagonian prawns: super flavorful, I cleaned up the sauce with the bread! Ahi tuna carpaccio: extremely thinly sliced tuna, delicious light flavors Tagliolini with white black truffles: OMG this was Heaven on a plate! I wish it never ended. Chilean sea bass: a little over cooked but flavors were on point Australian lamb chops: great flavors, not gamey Puff pastry: THE BEST dessert! The pastry was so light and crispy, and the cream filling was not too sweet! Warm chocolate cake: this was just ok, after eating the puff pastry, nothing could compare! Can't wait to try out the regular menu! IG: sippin_champagne_with_chelle

Ara A.

Yelp

I love Italy. I love the culture. I love the food. I love the truffles. And amore has an entire truffle menu. Some of the best meals we ever had have been in Italy. San Miniato to be exact. Because truffles are here. Fresh. Beautiful. Deliciously aromatic truffles. One Italian mother cooked us many a dish from the truffles found practically in their backyard. One of which was a simple poached egg dish atop freshly baked bread, topped with white truffle. DELICIOUS. Then we dined at the restaurant where she had her wedding. White truffle tagliatelle. I tasted heaven for a moment with this dish. So - what's the point of this long drawn out story? AMORE HAS THESE DISHES! They brought us back to our honeymoon in Tuscany. Such an amazing meal. We of course had the truffle tagliolini. Superb. My only critique is that I personally prefer slightly thicker noodles but the noodles were still well made. They had sold out of the egg soufflé dish, so we tried the egg bruschetta which was reminiscent of our meal on the patio of an Italian family. So much flavor, an unassuming piece of toast with a hidden egg surprise inside. One of the other things I missed about Italy was the pizza. The fluffy, airy, neopolitan pizza is hard to come by in Houston. But boy did Amore deliver. We tried the Buratta pizza and the dough was airy perfection. We also tried the scallop carpaccio and the octopus. Both were very flavorful, but if I had to choose one I would go for the octopus. So very very tender and delicious. The service was excellent. Everyone was very attentive and friendly. Christina stopped by our table to make sure everything was good and we had a lovely chat. This is without a doubt our favorite Italian restaurant in Houston and can't wait to come back for another spectacular dinner.

Jackie C.

Yelp

Delicious food and wonderful service. We had a reservation for 6 people. I called last minute to ask if we can add an extra seat and they happily accommodated. Service was diligent and friendly throughout the evening. For food, we ordered lamb meatballs, prosciutto pizza, the duck, the octopus, and multiple pastas. I had the truffle tagliolini pasta and it was absolutely amazing. Will definitely be back.

Vanessa A.

Yelp

For some reason I was hesitant to eat at Amore. I think because it gets great reviews and I didn't want to be disappointed. Well, let me say I was not! I don't have pics of the food we ate. Everything was delicious. We had an off menu special of beef carpaccio to start. It was AMAZING. The meat melted in my mouth and the salad on top was bright and delicious. I ordered the Cacio e Pepe which is also not on the menu and I'm still thinking about it. It was so good. My husband had the black ink pasta with seafood. I didn't try it because it had clams in it and I don't eat clams. He ate every last bit of it so he liked it. We had the puff pastry dessert and it was delicious as well. Amore will certainly be on our list of restaurants to revisit! We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our dinner. Service is spot on as well.

Dyana L.

Yelp

The food was great, and I had a great time with friends. Definitely recommend trying the short rib. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The coffee was also delicious, I did make room for their chocolate dessert. Very yummy. There is a valet, or street parking. Cute date night place.

Nanbo W.

Yelp

The food and service is five stars; however, the ambiance is only 4.5. This is one of the top two Italian restaurants in Houston.

Debra B.

Yelp

We were not impressed the minute we walked in and noticed the dirty carpet and chair seats, and the smell was not good, maybe like a plumbing problem. Our server was nice enough but spoke in a Shakespearean accent the entire time he waited on us, which we found very very annoying. And he seemed annoyed at us when we couldn't understand what he said. When asked to repeat he would repeat so fast we couldn't understand again. My meal was the macaroni with meatballs (tiny) and it was not good at all. Can't remember what my husband had but he said it was just ok. Needless to say we will not be returning.

Karen D.

Yelp

Came here on a Sunday for brunch. There is valet or street parking. I started with their special, the squash blossoms stuffed with cheese, as an app, and they were excellent! The server was very helpful with recommendations. Since it's truffle season, also tried the pizza (Mozzarella di bufala, robiola, black label prosciutto, black truffles). It was good but not remarkable. I like the ambiance with the old-school white tablecloths and flowers. Overall, a good experience!

Stephanie P.

Yelp

So happy to have found the taleggio pizza from dolce vita. Had great service and delicious food. Will definitely be back.

Keith S.

Yelp

Pkasters. When I was young I was told if you can't say anything nice don't say anything. The linen, and decor was nice and the staff were friendly. Thank you.

James W.

Yelp

Overall, I thought the food, service and ambiance were excellent and well executed. No complaints other than could possibly provide complimentary valet service given the very limited parking there. Loved every meal we had from the appetizer to the dessert. Just Bellissimo! Bọn Apetite!

Tim L.

Yelp

Food runs from good to great, depending on dish. Service is outstanding--both times I've been the waiters were excellent. Ambiance is so-so (rugs are dirty, decor is cheap and uninspiring). Vibe is of a casual neighborhood place--not necessarily somewhere to go for Special Night Out. One tip: do NOT order the potato croquette appetizer with ham and truffle cream. Flavors are severely unbalanced, and it will wreck your palate for the rest of the meal. The lasagnette with pine nuts and bronzino, on the other hand, is excellent.

Mai Y.

Yelp

Celebrated mom's birthday a couple of months ago at this place and we enjoyed the food. The food was amazing!

Deborah N.

Yelp

Amore has been open for roughly two months and is spear headed by the former Chef at De Marcos. Him and his wife run the restaurant together and have perched themselves in the South Shepherd neighborhood near the Trader Joe's. My first impression was that it was cozy, intimate, timeless yet understated. No frills, and just very classy and traditional. Mostly drapes with white linens and a lighting fixture that mimics an old chandelier. We were warmly greeted by Christina, the owners wife, and no wait time as they had an open table by the entrance. We were seated and began to peruse the menu. My hubs and I ordered the following: -2x glasses of white wine -Sea Scallop with smoked salmon carpaccio -Linguine Allá Vongole -Truffle menu: Adriatic Sea Bass Soooooo...a few mentions. The complimentary bread that is brought to the table, AMAZING. But, the oil dip fell short. I think they should definitely add a little more pizzazz to their oil dip even though there's supposed to be some "ending" flavor to it. Adding a little seasoning, or some minced garlic would make all the difference. We also asked for more bread to be replenished at our table at least three times, they kept forgetting. Okay, back to the food. The sea scallop carpaccio included poached pear and an orange blossom honey, not a fan personally...it was too sweet for my palate, but I didn't hate it. Had a lot of different flavors going on, but for someone who generally prefers sweet over savory, I can definitely see them enjoying this dish. My Linguine Allá Vongole pasta was cooked to perfection, and perfect Al dente noodles!..but the mussels that came with the pasta dish tasted like they were straight from the ocean...it was fishy, basically boiled with no flavor, and just lacked overall. I literally ate all the pasta and left the mussels. My husband enjoyed the truffle Adriatic Sea bass though and the wine was great. I would love to come back and try their Papperdalle, and some more of their appetizers. All in all, can't say I was impressed with the food, it could use a little tweaking, but Christina was amazing, friendly and humble.

Jackie K.

Yelp

I really liked our takeout Italian dinner from Amore, but I would probably only return for an in-person dinner (not takeout), given that the prices really don't justify a takeout meal--I'm sure the experience is part of the price tag in this lovely restaurant. Here's what we tried: -Margherita pizza: Great crust, great sauce, all-around great upscale pizza. -Pappardelle pasta: Absolutely delicious flavor, with the boar sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Slightly small portions but otherwise delightful. -Roman potatoes side: Great flavor for these garlic-y, slightly cheese-y potatoes. But I was slightly appalled that we only got six little fingerling potatoes for $7.

Jan T.

Yelp

Best overall Italian food in Houston / family owned and run with a great chef - awesome pizzas and pastas - good wine list and service - finally a great Italian place close by. I am happy

Danielle H.

Yelp

We were a little thrown off by the parking situation. It was valet only during the day and the lot was very small and the ground was uneven. Outside of that the service and ambience were nice. They serve toasted French bread with olive oil. I wish it came with either Parmesan or seasoning for the oil. I got the linguine but substituted the clams for shrimp. It was a big portion I just wish it had more flavor.

McKinzie H.

Yelp

Wow. The whole dining experience at Amore was so good it left me speechless. Like many in the restaurant industry right now they're having trouble with staffing due to COVID so the owner was our waiter(so cool!!). He was the chef at Demarco for 20 years!! Now he has opened his own restaurant, and I have a good feeling it will become a Houston favorite very quickly. The owner was so generous and kind to us! He brought out several plates for us to try some of his favorite things from the menu. For appetizers he brought out potato croquettes, bread and olive oil, and tiny meatballs (I don't see it on the menu so not sure what they're called). All very good! Pappardelle- juicy and tender boar, the noodles obviously homemade and perfectly made, plenty of cheese. So much flavor! Everything we ate was delicious! But then he brought out Tagliolini. If you order only one thing on the menu- THIS! Paired with red wine. It will leave you truly speechless. Soooooo good!!! My friends ordered the taleggio pear pizza, the heirloom tomato salad, Tuna Al taglio, and macaroni. They all raved about their dishes as well! The inside of the restaurant is beautiful too!! Very classy, white, gold accents (the pizza oven is completely gold!), and very clean. He mentioned they renovated the entire restaurant top to bottom. They have a private room in the back and it would be perfect for a nice birthday party, bridal or baby shower, grad party. It's all very well designed.

Jin L.

Yelp

Food was delicious! The description said kid friendly and I would recommend that gets changed as they do not have high chairs. Luckily the waiter/host asked me to wait while he checked. He asked the owner/chef to let us use their personal high chair. We had the octopus salad which was very tasty and the octopus was crispy. The prosciutto was perfect with the arugula salad and mozzarella cheese. The Margherita pizza taste so good! Exactly like the one we use to love at Dolce Vita! The linguine vongole was so tasty! The pancetta really added a nice richness to it.

Jose R.

Yelp

The food was okay what I love wast the wines variety, the service was good and ambiance could be better tables are to close to each other's, I noticed it's uncomfortable for the servers to

Mike T.

Yelp

One of the best Italian restaurants in town, hosted by the previous chef at Da'Marco's and Ricki is there as well- great ambience, not too big, wonderful people there- one of my favorites!

Anna M. G.

Yelp

The food was great, had the linguine with clams and my husband had the beef ribs, oh my god to die for. We also had the fried oysters, potatoes croquets, and squid salad it was delicious, delicious delicious. of course, the dessert was bread pudding. I had 3 glasses of wine and my husband had two beers. The service was impeccable, and atmosphere was romantic. I loved the white linen, candles and fresh flowers on our table. I was so impressed when the chef came out to ask us how our food was. I felt important and felt like he cared about his customers. The staff was very attentive, I never saw any of the staff off in the corner hiding or on the phone all of the employees were all over the place taking care of the customers, I loved that. I will definitely be going back to this place. Definitely.

Gina D.

Yelp

Parking is limited and difficult getting in and out when traffic is heavy. They do offer valet for $5. Space is tight (seating) on the inside of restaurant as well. Food is fresh and pasta is homemade. We liked the nice variety offered on the wine list. We had the shaved celery salad, heirloom tomato salad and the white truffle tagliolini. For dessert, we had the chocolate cake and the dessert special. Everything was delicious. Service was great as well.

Ivy L.

Yelp

Been looking for some AMAZING pasta in the Houston area and feel like I've tried all the Italian places and they've just lacked one thing or another! I guess you end up spoiled when you've been to Italy and know what good, fresh pastas should tastes like! Well, if Amore does anything well, it's hand make pastas and cook them perfectly al dente! Most places seem to always overcook their pastas, but this pasta has a "bite" like no other. Deliciously fresh pastas but some delicious sauce! My Tagliolini was superb with that black truffle! Did I say I can eat like 2 bowls of truffle pasta any day of the week?! I seriously never tire of it. The macaroni was fantastic, for such a simple dish! For appetizers, the bread and olive oil is fantastic. Especially when you're a bread lover like me! The potato croquettes were soft, amazing flavors and that truffle sauce is to die for! The Patagonian shrimp was good, though a bit salty for my taste buds. Came on top of a piece of bread to soak up all the saucy goodness - but ended up being a bit too soggy for my liking. The burrata is smooth and refreshing, with delicious flavors! This came on top of a heirloom tomato salad with some crispy pancetta that was very bacon-like on top! For dessert we ordered the baked Alaska cause we never tried it before.. vanilla gelato, encased in the smoothest torches meringue, with orange and fruit flavors! We all enjoyed it a lot! Overall, we enjoyed our experience here a lot. Staff was always knowledgeable and friendly, but not overly in your face for a fancy restaurant. It could get pricey with all the truffle dishes but it was well worth the splurge! This is our first, but definitely not our last time visiting! This restaurant took the place of the old Mainely Sandwich building on Shepherd.. no sign out front and there's a ton of construction at the moment, but there's a small parking lot in the back!

Aris M.

Yelp

Everything was amazing! From the ambiance to the service and most definitely the food!! Small restaurant with bold food options.

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston

35 Excellent Options for Thanksgiving Day Dining in Houston