1462Italian cuisine in Austin

Jun. 4, 2003

Second Helpings

"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings
compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results.
This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable
info about Austin eateries, check here.

Carmelo's
504 E. Fifth, 477-7497
Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm; Sunday-Thursday, 5-10:30pm; Friday-
Saturday, 5-11pm
Carmelo's opened its Austin location in 1985, making this old-guard
Italian establishment a true survivor. Located a stone's throw from
the bustling traffic of Sixth Street, Carmelo's serves a wide
selection of traditional Italian dishes along with a few
nontraditional ringers. The menu reads like an edible encyclopedia,
with numerous entries from just about every Italian food group. It
also includes a "Tableside" section for diners who crave more
theatrical service or classic flambé desserts such as bananas foster
and cherries jubilee.

Mezzaluna
310 Colorado, 472-6770
Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-10:30pm; Friday, 11:30am-11pm; Saturday, 5-
11pm; Sunday, 6-10pm
www.mezzalunaaustin.com

Mezzaluna has toed the line between elegant and trendy since the
Warehouse District was a distant dream, but the popular Italian
establishment wasn't able to transfer its success to the sister
location at Gateway. The closing and subsequent replacement of its
northern outpost last fall couldn't faze this downtown hot spot,
however; its stylish, quasi-industrial bar and dining area stay
consistently packed with downtown hipsters, especially on weekend
nights. House specialties and traditional dishes run in the moderate
to expensive range, but always attract an enthusiastic clientele.

Romeo's
1500 Barton Springs Rd., 476-1090
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm

5800 Burnet Rd., 419-7567

Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm; Monday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-
11pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm
www.romeos.citysearch.com

Plastic grapes, Chianti bottles, and straight-outta-Mama's-kitchen
Italian food. Romeo's serves up sizable portions of no-nonsense
Italian standards (pastas, pizzas, and various seafood dishes) for
surprisingly reasonable prices. Dinnertime winners include Shrimp
Romeo -- a grilled Parmesan shrimp with artichoke hearts, mushrooms,
and a light, pesto cream sauce -- and vegetable ziti. Both locations
have brunch, served 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with Italian
eggs benedict, frittatas, a BLT omelet, and the Texas staple --
migas.


Carrabba's Italian Grill
11590 Research, 345-8232
Monday-Tuesday, 4:30-10pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday,
11am-11pm; Saturday, 4-11pm; Sunday, 3-9pm

6406 N. I-35, 419-1220

Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 3-10pm
www.carrabbas.com

This franchised Italian grill sprung from a Houston-based Italian
dynasty of the same name and was one of the first Texas restaurants
to feature an "open kitchen" atmosphere. Order from the pasta bar,
sample one of the woodfired pizzas, or choose a grilled specialty.
The menu also includes requisite manicotti, lasagna, and spaghetti
options.


Basil's
Basil's
900 W. 10th, 477-5576
Sunday-Thursday, 6-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 6-10:30pm
Essential Italian food without compromise to fusion fashion. Basil's
does it the old-country way. This upscale restaurant offers well-
prepared traditional dishes such as chicken saltimbocca, veal
marsala, and beef tenderloin with port and gorgonzola. The menu also
features homemade pastas, rich, creamy desserts, and new creations
like the hickory-smoked salmon ritollo. Their wine list is extensive,
offering an impressive selection of Italian wines. With its quality
service and intimate setting, Basil's offers the next best thing to a
vacation in Tuscany.


Buca di Beppo
3600 Tudor Blvd., 342-8462
Monday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday, noon-11pm; Sunday,
noon-9pm
www.bucadibeppo.com

This national chain started serving pizzas and pastas out of a
Minneapolis basement 10 years ago, and now has 100 locations across
the country. Buca di Beppo serves "immigrant Southern Italian
cuisine" and offers the gamut of traditional Italian-American
specialties like bruschetto, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti
marinara. Dishes are served family-style, each with enough to feed at
least two people, if not three or four, making it a great place for
large groups and parties. No need for couples to be intimidated,
though -- Buca di Beppo offers a personalized dinner for two with
smaller portions.