Italian Restaurants in the Clear Lake Area

As is typical of most American suburbs, the Clear Lake area has a nearly endless supply of Italian Food eateries. Most of these produce standard American Italian food restaurant food that tastes perfectly inoffensive and lacks any sort of distinguishing qualities. However, from the nearly infinite sea of Italian restaurants there are gems to be found.

Portofino Ristorante Italiano located at 1002 Aspen Road in Clear Lake Shores, though frequently overlooked, is probably the best Italian Food Restaurant and arguably the best restaurant of any cuisine, in the Clear Lake area. However, while everything on the menu is at least pretty good, there is a wide range in food quality, depending on what you order. Talk to the wait staff; they are extremely friendly and knowledgeable and will gladly let you know what the good stuff is. If you really want an expert opinion, the chef, Alex, will more likely than not wander over to your table at some point in the evening. If you are still in doubt, the specials on the menu board-and there are plenty of them-are usually phenomenal.

The dining room is elegant, but cozy. The owners can often be seen talking to and greeting customers. The food, the wine, and the environment are perfect for family get-togethers or a date. However, if the weather is right, the funky porch over the lake provides a view and atmosphere that you could never find in one of the strip mall restaurants.

That said, there is plenty of Italian food to be found in Clear Lake strip malls.Frenchie’s Italian Cuisine, located at 1002 Aspen Road./Houston, offers a wide variety of delicious Italian staples from friendly (and really from Italy) proprietors. Frenchie’s is a long term establishment in the NASA area, and has a very solid following. Check out their selection of crepes and desserts.

Another strip mall establishment, Angelo’s Pizza and Pasta, located at 400 W. Bay Area, Webster, is another strip mall option. Angelo’s has good standard fare and is fun and laid back. Portofino is a place to bring a date, Frenchie’s is the place to bring your colleagues at lunch, but Angelo’s is the place to bring your kids.

If you are willing to get a little bit off the beaten path, Santa Barbara Italian Restaurant-a long time staple in Pearland-has recently opened a second location in Friendswood at 607 S. Friendswood Drive. Yes, it is in a strip mall.The food is Italian mostly, but the chef has added some touches from her native Croatia, and some French embellishments as well. Santa Barbara is strictly BYOB, so bring a bottle of wine you would like to enjoy with an incredible meal. As unadventurous as it may sound, the Lasagna is incredible. And be sure to save room for dessert when you come to dine here.

“Italian food” has become such a staple in American cuisine, that it is frequently reduced almost to a fast food level. Generic spaghetti places spooning out their predictable fair at $4.75 plus tax have become so common that people tend to forget what Italian food can offer. These restaurants provide evidence that it is possible to move beyond that, even in your suburban neighborhood.