Tag Archives: Italian Cuisine

by | May 7, 2015 · 2:50 pm

First Look: Patrizio’s in Uptown

DSC07441by Steven Doyle

Just a few moths ago Patrizio’s vacated their historic location in Highland Park Village. They quickly secured their new location at 3232 McKinney Avenue in Uptown where they have set up shop and opened for business yesterday. Although they are still in soft opening mode we were able to nab a sweet spot at the bar for a look at the new, and updated menu.

You will find many familiar favorites on the new menu, items that if removed would cause yet another earthquake in the Dallas area, such as the grilled chicken salad that is souped up with hearts of palm, artichokes, bacon red bell peppers and so much more. However, one thing you will notice, and not necessarily with the menu, is that the food has taken on a revamp. The food is actually quite good.   Continue reading →

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by | August 28, 2014 · 12:57 pm

Neighborhood Italian Comes To Preston Center

cucinaby Andrew Chalk

If you want a reasonably-priced Italian meal or a bar that is great for people watching in Preston center check out Cucina Neighborhood Italian. The cozy spot has been open under its current ownership and culinary team since May and, although we reviewed their menu for the Restaurant Week period, we had not sampled the regular menu until now. At a media event this week we got the chance to get a comprehensive look at the regular menu and get a feel for the ambiance of the place.

First, you are going to find familiar red-sauce Italian comfort food on the menu here at prices that make it viable as a regular neighborhood spot for dinner. The lunch menu is an abbreviated version of dinner, with a ‘$10 lunch’ section that features a sandwich and/or salad with a drink. A kids menu makes it family friendly, and a Sunday brunch menu departs the Italian theme for what might be called ‘Eggs Benedict Mainstream’. The restaurant features a full bar and wine list.  Continue reading →

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by | November 1, 2013 · 10:19 am

Mi Piaci Still Has What It Takes After All These Years

squid-inkby Steven Doyle

Back in late August Mi Piaci opened its location in Preston Center in the former Ocho location, and the response has been overwhelmingly incredible. This is where the neighborhood is looking to dine on fresh pasta according to local buzz. This is what Mi Piaci does best. We sent ace photographer, Robert Bostick, out to nab us a first look and his photos made us so hungry we immediately went out to sample a few of the dishes on our own. A few months have passed and the crowds seem larger, and the food is still what we would expect out of this 25 year old institution in Dallas.

The pasta is still handmade by the chef who arrives as early as 5am to start is handy work. The breads are also all house-made with similar start times. The staff looks remarkably familiar, and that is because they have all been with the restaurant for many years after having been transferred from the location on Montfort just before the August opening.    Continue reading →

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by | October 13, 2013 · 12:02 pm

Battuto Offers Something Special

dsc06231by Andrew Chalk

Battuto Italian Kitchen, the Italian neighborhood restaurant established by Gene and Julie Gates of radio fame held a media event this week and I was fortunate to be invited. It is rather different from what I expected. I thought it would be the objet d’amour of someone with a romantic fascination with Italy – a fascination that usually does not transfer well across corporeal units. What I found was a good restaurant, informed by modern culinary trends, but making a conscious effort to not just follow the pack. Take some examples:

They hired Joel Harloff as chef. He has produced first-rate food at several Dallas restaurants including the Melrose Hotel, Second Floor and Ocho.    Continue reading →

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by | July 16, 2013 · 11:59 am

Mi Piaci Opening In Preston Center In Dallas

piaci1Pesce Branzino, tamarind glazed Chilean sea bass with lemon-basil risotto

by Steven Doyle

I suppose it wasn’t terribly clear a few days ago when we announced that Ocho would be transformed into an outpost for the loverly Mi Piaci, starring chef Joel Harloff as head toque. Well, let me make myself perfectly clear. It will happen in Park Cities sometime in August.    Continue reading →

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by | December 20, 2012 · 12:27 pm

Patrizio Osteria To Open On McKinney And In Arlington

DSC04642by Steven Doyle

Last night we made the trek to check out Patrizio Osteria in Southlake. The new location borderlines over-the-top in appointment and definitely pulls off the new menu in high fashion. We spotted a familiar face on the management team and were pleased to see Bob’s Steak and Chop alumnus Ken Kuczwaj making his way around the room. We also spotted one of the new owners, Oscar Renda, who knows plenty about Italian food and the way it should be presented.

The menu may look familiar to anyone who has patronized Patrizio in the past. This is the Americanized Italian cuisine that has people flocking to the various restaurants dotted across the Metroplex. Most of these dishes appeal to the average American palate that haven’t sampled true Italian food. But the true star to the new version of the concept lies in the Osteria menu. These are your house-made pastas laden with ingredients from Italy, slow cooked pork shank, fresh fish selections and a beautiful variety of buffala buratta. Continue reading →

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