Divino

Took some people here for a nice dinner and we had never been so we were hopeful that it wouldn’t disappoint. It had some highs and some lows so here’s my breakdown:
Ambiance: Romantic, quiet and overall pleasant atmosphere. Liked the feel of the place and I would consider coming here with a large group as they have a separate wine room.
Service: Adequate and good but nothing that stands out.
Food: we started with the bread which was excellent but all they bring for it is olive oil. I think it would have been nice if they came up with something else to serve with the bread. Perhaps a tapenade or even just create some Italian spices to liven up the olive oil. The best dish of the four was the lasagne with spinach pasta! This gets a 5 star rating on its own. The second best was the salmon with lentils– it was very good but nothing that would cause me to have to go back for. The biggest disappointment was the goat cheese ravioli with the house made pasta– 3 stars. It had the potential to be great and I really wanted it to be but it was pasta with goat cheese which was waaaay too strong a flavor. It really needed something along with it to pare down the strong flavor.
Desserts: Tiramisu for us was ok. Not sweet enough but that’s because I have that typical American palate which needs sweets to be sweet. It also had a bit of a strange texture to which I wasn’t used to. The Panna cotta was also disappointing because it had very little flavor and it needed more sauce to add flavor.
Overall we’d come back for my husband to get the star dish which from our experience was the lasagna plus it’s a pretty restaurant.

Love the space, wine list and big parking lot. We did girls night at the bar, which also worked out great. You can order food there, though service is spotty. Food was good, but not outstanding. I had Parmesan-​breaded veal.

GREAT RISOTTO! My husband took me here for a special occasion and the risotto was amazing. The wine paring was just as great and the service was ideal. Will definitely be returning!

Just tried this place again after a year or so and I regret waiting so long — it’s great! Had a fried oyster appetizer with arugula and celery and it was just lovely. Excellent job on the oysters. Also had the Cornish Hen with a great spinach risotto and wife had veal scallopini which was very much in line with great schnitzel. Great service. The wines by the glass are great and my suggestion is to let them pick.

What a surprise and delight to find an authentic Italian restaurant in Houston! Warm service, a superbly curated wine list, and a thoroughly tempting menu all make for a wonderful evening.
The salad starters were first rate, perfectly dressed and made with the best ingredients. The homemade pastas and the grilled quail are to swoon for.
A small neighborhood restaurant with no pretensions that is easily the equal to much grander places.

Great food. Great people.
We arrived without a reservation and the staff went out of their way to make or dinner happen.
My lamp chops and my wife’s ravioli was amazing.

Do NOT try the risotto, both my date and I got one of their risotto dishes and they were terrible. The shrimp pesto risotto literally must have had a cup of water poured into it and was completely flavorless. Everything else was great (wine and bruschetta) but for a restaurant like this, two entrees being awful is unacceptable (I’m normally generous with my star rating).

We came here for my best friend’s birthday and started off with the antipesto. My favorites included the grilled polenta, bufala mozzarella, and Italian cured meats. Dinner also started with a complimentary bread service. The polenta had a nice crust on the outside and the bufala mozzarella was very fresh. The salami and prosciutto also melted in my mouth. We were all pretty full by the time we finished the antipasto, but we had each ordered an entrée as well. I was not a fan of the olives or onions.
I went with a special menu item that consisted of pappardelle noodles covered in a Bolognese ragu sauce. Jennifer selected the parma style risotto, which came with prosciutto, mushrooms, and sweet peas. Clare selected the goat cheese ravioli, cooked in sage butter and garnished with toasted pine nuts and parmigiano.
My favorite dish was the parma style risotto. The risotto was creamy and rich, but the sweet peas and mushrooms helped balance the dish. I thought the risotto was also cooked perfectly. It was not mushy when it was served nor did it taste mushy. The pappardelle special was ok. The Bolognese ragu was not the best I’ve had, and the noodles were not homemade. I appreciated our waiter’s honesty when I asked him if all noodles were made in house. I felt that the egg noodles were undercooked, and the dish needed just a bit more sauce. The pasta was a bit dry. My least favorite was the goat cheese ravioli. I will admit that I’m not a fan of goat cheese, so I had a feeling that I wouldn’t like the dish from the beginning. I don’t like the tartness of goat cheese and prefer creamier, smoother cheeses. If you love goat cheese, then you would like this dish.
As a surprise birthday dessert, we selected tiramisu. It was actually one of the better tiramisus I’ve had. The rum was not overwhelming, and it was light. It was a great way to end a carbohydrate heavy meal. Other dessert choices included a chocolate cake or budino. I’m glad we didn’t get either of those because it would have been too rich. Overall, I thought the service was excellent. The wait staff was very attentive to our needs. Was it my favorite Italian restaurant? Sadly, no. I could think of several others that trump Divino. Divino does take reservations and there is a small parking lot out front.

We have been eating at Divino for a year or so. We were intrtoduced by friends and have returned several times. It is always good with outstanding service — never a poor meal.

Best restaurant on earth.

Really like this place, nice ambiance, great service and very good pasta. Service as attentive the chicken liver appetizer is very well done. The antipasto platter was OK better than most not as good as some. The pasta was the shining star, obviously made fresh that day and cooked perfectly. I highly recommend this as a nice weeknight neighborhood getaway.

One of the better Italian joints in the city that doesnt charge high prices for Olive Garden food! HIghly recommend!

Yummy! We made a reservation for Valentine’s Day and were greeted with a friendly smile and sat immediately. They had a limited menu for Valentine’s Day but the choices were varied and there was an excellent selection all around. We started with the gnocchi as an appetizer. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was amazing. We saved the sauce to dip the bread in. I had the spinach & pear salad which was good and definitely large enough to share.
For an entrée I had the filet mignon and oh my goodness it was just as good as any steakhouse in the area. The mashed potatoes it came with were light and fluffy not a lump in them. I also ordered the brussel sprouts as an additional side and they were cooked perfectly and so tasty.
Didn’t get to try the desserts because of all the food we ordered but will definitely be back to try a pasta dish!

First stop here last night for restaurant weeks menu. It was excellent. Cornish hen with risotto was perfectly prepared. Tiramusu was the best Ive had in a long time.
We will be back, only wish we had discovered this place sooner as its close to home.

Yummy! Our food was absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to go back. I highly recommend giving Divino’s a try.
I had a veggie meal hat they put together for me to accommodate my diet. I had grilled brussels sprouts, broccolini, and delicious caramelized carrots along with a small side of pasta with fresh marinara. My cousin had the lasagna and ate every delicious bite.
Again, we loved it!

On a recent overnight stay in Houston my wife and I decided to enjoy dinner at Divino Italian Restaurant after reading reviews on Unilocal. We were not disappointed. Reservations were taken and they were ready for us upon our arrival. There is off street parking for the restaurant and that was nice.
There is no hard liquor served here but they do make up for that with a very diverse and good wine list. And prices that are also reasonable for a restaurant. Additionally, you can buy bottles of wine you enjoy at retail here and not at the inflated restaurant charge to take out. That was nice and we did just that.
The food is very good and this is a place to go and take your time and enjoy the selections on the menu. It is obvious that the owner and staff operate a business to please their customers.
The Bruschetta Trio is a must and the Filet Mignon was exceptional. Service by Daniel was up to the same high level as the food that came out of the kitchen.
There is no doubt we will be returning on upcoming trips to Houston.

8:15pm reservation on a Restaurant Week (Month) Friday —
The restaurant had people but wasn’t full. The parking lot had but three spaces left.
Our party of two ordered off the 3-​course HRW menu but had to ask for it.
Apéritif: I loved the Cocchi (sp?). The sweet orange overtone cut with herb and spices.
Appetizers: Both the Tomato and Fennel Soup and Chicken Liver Pâté with Crostini were excellent. The appetizers were the highlights of the meal. I’d go back just for these appetizers.
Main: The apple risotto topped with pickled celery root was excellent. Perfect texture of rice with chewy-​esque crunchiness of the pickle and the soft apple with just enough sweetness and acidity both was delicious. Wasn’t too much a fan of the pork shoulder, though. A bit tough and gamey — it definitely needed a sauce drizzled over it. I would’ve done a Balsamic gastrique or even just the Costco smoked raspberry chipotle sauce would’ve been nice. The other dish was the strip steak with kale and something else. Looked beautifully rare but I wasn’t a fan of the texture.
Desserts: Both the bread pudding and chocolate cake were disappointing but the caramel ice cream on the bread pudding was okay.
Service: Our waiter David was one of the best I’ve come across; classy and polite, he also asked me if I would like to try the wine before I get a glass. Huge plus.
Overall: 2.5 stars for food, 1 whole star for service (that’s about max from me), so 3.5 total. Thanks to David not barging in and allowing us to stay an extra half hour after closing, the dinner lasted 3 hours. I’d go back to try more appetizers and the pappardelle. And another glass of that apéritif.
Parking: Smallish private lot.

We had a great time at Divino’s last night for dinner. My husband had the Strip Steak with Kale and Canneloni beans, and I had the Mushroom ravioli with roasted broccolini. Aside from our table being given away and having to sit next to two children, it was a lovely night. The kids were actually pretty adorable and not loud and out of control like other kids we’ve seen at fancy restaurants. Our waiter was quite pleasant, and very friendly. The service was prompt and no one was pushy about the wine list, items on the menu, or anything else. We hope to return and have more of their food soon. Also, it was refreshing to not have to valet! We left satisfied but not heavy like when we leave other «fancy» restaurants.
Although, our bill came with a note that their schedule is changing. I read it as they were only going to be open on Mondays. My husband read it as they would be open everyday with the exception of being open only the first Monday of every month. Maybe the next reviewer can enlighten me :)

Every now and then, I get a craving for pastas, heavy sauces, rich salads, amazing fish, apps, cheeses, bread baskets — all paired with a perfect glass of wine. And Divino is an excellent choice.
Start with the Caprese Salad as an app or split the Spinach & Pear Salad with walnuts, shaved Pecorino Romano, and a port vinaigrette. And like many restaurants now-​a-​day, you gotta ask for the bread.
I’ll admit that I have a sweet spot for risotto, and that’s all that I’ve pretty much had a Divino’s, with the occasional samplings from my friends’ plates. The Parma Style Risotto is a house favorite, including one of my own: risotto with prosciutto, mushrooms, sweet peas, parmigiano… and the Risotto with Boar Sausage is another great option (but incredibly heavy). I look forward to exploring their other menu options, if I can only tear away from my addiction to risotto. You’ll find pork shoulder, Texas quail, seasonal fishes and grass-​fed beef steaks on the menu as well:
They also snag foods and produce from some of Houston’s local purveyors. Huge plus.
I’m not too familiar with the wine list; usually I have the server pick something out that pairs with my salad and/​or entrée. But they do feature a fair selection of wines/​bubbly by the glass. They also just underwent construction, adding on a private dining area/​beautiful wine room for large dinner parties.
I’m certainly a fan of Divino. i don’t know what took me so long to finally visit my neighborhood Italian restaurant, but glad I did and have returned several times since then.
Note: Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Divino has been a regular stop for a number of years and I consistently recommend it verbally, but realized I had not Unilocaled it yet :(my bad.
So here we are — I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad dish here. The food/​service/​wine is consistent, friendly, not overbearing, and has a nice variety. The menu changes occasionally and by season, though there are a number of regular items.
Some of our favorites:
Bruscetta trio
This may seem like something you can get anywhere, but it is definitely something special here. Enough so that I don’t think I have ever NOT ordered it. The bread is always perfectly grilled with olive oil, and the trio is comprised of a creamy white bean purée, a briny tapenade, and a fresh tomato/​basil mix
Merlin’s Pappardelle
The pasta is the perfect thick/​thin-​ness, al dente, with the simplest of spinach, mushrooms, cream and cheese. So simple, but so amazing. I’ve tried to replicate this at home, but it always comes up short. Guess I’ll have to keep going to Divino.
Emily’s Goat Cheese Ravioli
Soft pillows of ravioli filled with goat cheese and chives, in a sage butter sauce with pine nuts and parmigiano. Doesn’t that just sound delicious?!
Panna cotta
Theirs is a smooth and lovely consistency between custard and pudding. Fresh berries and syrupy saba go on top.
I know I’ve only talked about pasta, but their other entrees are also very good. We’ve had beef/​duck/​seafood and never been disappointed. While I’ve never had a problem with the staff, I have heard that they are very protective of their parking lot (it’s quite small, so I can see why). If you plan on parking there and walking over to the Chocolate Bar or something across the street, you may be reprimanded…