Damian's Cucina Italiana

(713) 522-0439

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX | Directions   77006

29.744372 -95.379708 View Website
  • Hours

    Monday To Thursday From 11:00 AM To 02:00 PM Monday To Thursday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM Friday From 11:00 AM To 02:00 PM Friday From 05:30 PM To 11:30 PM Saturday From 05:00 PM To 11:30 PM
  • Menu
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Damian's Cucina Italiana view & upload
photos
Neighborhoods:
Midtown, South Central

Categories:
Restaurants
Price:
$$

Cuisine:
Italian

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Ethnic Market Products:
Italian Food Products
Restaurant Special Features:
Chef's Table, Notable Wine List, Private Rooms
Payment Methods:
American Express, Carte Blanche, Cash, Diners Club, Gift Certificate, MasterCard, Travelers Check, Visa

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At a Glance ?
100% ambiance
“cozy, grotto setting with a posh and expensive feel to it.”
100% dessert
“Judging by my extensive travels through Italy, the food here can be authentic, the wine was great, and the dessert was excellent.”
100% drinks
“Judging by my extensive travels through Italy, the food here can be authentic, the wine was great, and the dessert was excellent.”
95% food quality
“Damian's was established in 1984 by Damian Mandola, and current owners Joseph Butera and Frankie B. Mandola since 1993, continue to provide the same wonderful food and experience.”
100% menu variety
“Judging by my extensive travels through Italy, the food here can be authentic, the wine was great, and the dessert was excellent.”
100% overall
“It is by far my favorite Italian restaurant (a close second would be Maggiano's) here in Houston.”
90% service
“Great service right from the start.”
87% value
“the food was excellent, though a bit pricey, but it was worth it.”

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Damian's Cucina Italiana

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Tips for Damian's Cucina Italiana

1.0
March 23, 2007

It's Great if You're Bulimic!. Judging by my extensive travels through Italy, the food here can be authentic, the wine was great, and the dessert was excellent. I had the Linguini with Smoked Salmon and Fried Eggplant. Different, granted but it left a weird taste in my mouth. Part of it could be from the fact that I ended up throwing it up all night when I got home. Not exactly the best way to end a romantic date. When I called the restaurant they weren?t exactly helpful in rectifying the situation. If you are looking for a good diet solution (palatable food that is easily dispensed of) then this is a great restaurant for you. If instead you are looking for attentive service and enjoyable food that will sit well in your stomach then you may want to try elsewhere.

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5.0
February 22, 2007

Very authentic and great atmosphere, with food to match. This is probably my favorite Italian place in Houston, and I have been to quite a few of them. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is classy, but not uncomfortably formal, making it good for less than formal get-togethers. The prices are not unreasonable, and the portions make it a value. The service has excelled every time Ive been there, with friendly and personal waiters who make an effort to know you and work tirelessly to meet your needs. Complimentary valet parking is convenient and the valets are courteous. Any of the pasta dishes are amazing, and the wine list is impressive.

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4.0
November 21, 2006

for special occasions only. a cozy, grotto setting with a posh and expensive feel to it. the food was excellent, though a bit pricey, but it was worth it. go here if you want to know what expensive italian food tastes like. probably not a place to go back consistently, rather, on special occasions such as prom or a wedding. *

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3.0
September 15, 2006

Food not usually served hot. Employee's not friendly.. If you like the "fine dining" look and aren't interested in hot food with friendly service then it's the place for you. You can always get a table if you are a regular but if you're not expect a different level of service. Don't let them put you upstairs because you move from the main benefits of this place, i.e., the "fine dining" atmosphere of the main dining room to the upstairs which is more like a banquet room.

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5.0
September 09, 2006

A fantastic Italian dining experience!. My husband and I absolutely LOVE Damian's! We live only a few blocks away and eat there for every special occasion. The food and service never disappoint. If you are a first timer, you HAVE to try the Asparagus Mike Wells appetizer. To die for! Asparagus with a crab meat topping in a lemon-butter sauce...wow!! We also can't resist the table-side prepared Caesar salad. It is hands-down the best Caesar anywhere and you would be hard-pressed to find a presentation more appealing. As for entrees, it's hard to choose a favorite, but everything is wonderful and the portions are large. The atmosphere is romantic yet professional, making it a good choice for a nice business dinner or a special night out with people you love. Even though the prices are very affordable, don't show up in shorts and a T-shirt! This is fine dining in the old sense of the word.

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4.0
July 02, 2006

Complimentary parking. The reason why I chose this restaurant was because of the high rateness it received. I thorougly enjoyed it because they had complimentary parking, a nice atmosphere, great service. The only thing that sucked was that they charged me with an additional $20 without any warning because I had brought an outside cake in. (It was my birthday) I was not aware of that until I received the bill and that made me mad. Besides that, I enjoyed my time there. I got the Spaghetti Carbolla or something like that. The taste was great but after awhile, it got dull to me. It is a little hard to spot because it looks like a warehouse and inside it's low ceiling and a little crowded, but the designs of the place was very pretty. Prices were relatively high from $13-30 an entree? You can check out their menu online. Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

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3.0
November 22, 2005

surprised by the price. The prices are high. The cheapest you will find an entree for is $13 and the most is well north of $30. This is a la carte. So if you want salad, you'll pay an additional 7 dollars. I asked for iced tea. They brought out and poured a $4.50 bottle of speciality tea before I had the chance to tell them no. I had no idea that is what I'd be getting. I had lasagna and my dining partner had spaghetti but it took them 25 minutes to bring out our order so don't expect to have a quick lunch. Parking is valet only, unless you can find a spot on the street half a block away. Maybe I'm cheap, but when the price says only one $ I expect to pay approx 10 dollars a person for entree and drink. The flavors of the food were very good.

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5.0
October 24, 2005

So Good I Went Twice. From the spinach gnocchi to the chocolate capuccino cake, the food was exquisite. As a solo, the owner Joe aka 'Bubba' and GM Berta made me feel right at home. My martini was plentiful and well concocted. The gnocchi is best described as cloud-like dollops of spinach & cheese in a very light yet deeply flavorful tomato cream sauce. The salad Mille was a palate pleasing diversion. I had the special, pounded pork loin chops dredged in a parmesan crumbs mix and served with a mash potato melange. The food was memorably delicious, the service ala Frederick just right, and all made for a surprisingly delightful evening. Damians is run by very skilled and talented folks who obviously enjoy what they are doing. Highly recommended!

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5.0
June 09, 2005

Food Chick. The Classic Caesar Salad is still made from scratch tableside for 2 or more guests. The value of the meal is comparable to other restaurants, and they serve large portions and will gladly package your extra food for take home. The Valet parking is comlimentary (tips are appreciated). Damian's was established in 1984 by Damian Mandola, and current owners Joseph Butera and Frankie B. Mandola since 1993, continue to provide the same wonderful food and experience. I highly recommend dining at Damian's.

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4.0
April 05, 2005

good, but overpriced. the best thing here is the free foccacia bread they serve you for free with your meal. it's by far the best foccacia bread ever! they are also the only restaurant in houston that serves spinach gnoche- which is by far the best as well. however, their prices are too high and they don't even have a lunch menu that offer cheaper prices with smaller portions.

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Won for:
Italian Food (2006)
Nominations Nominated for: