10/06/09

Excellent Italian - charming family-owned restaurant

by htownmoma

We are Patrenella's regulars and this has been our favorite hidden spot for years. The food is always premium and the dining room so romantic. It's a historic home turned restaurant. Service has been pretty good though you best make reservations for dinner on weekends.

• Pros: Authentic Italian cuisine- romantic, hidden

07/18/09

terrible language

by goodeats101

Upon entering the restaurant we were promptly greeted by the hostess. The atmosphere was quaint and welcoming; however, there was some conflict between two of the waiters and one was very loud in voicing his opinion. (There is no way he could have missed us coming in to the restaurant considering we were directly in his line of vision) he cursed quite audibly stunning both my husband and myself. The other customers around us were disturbed by the profanity and my children heard this offensive language. We immediately requested to be seated as far away from this man as possible.

The hostess apologized but the waiter seemed unaffected by our reaction. Once we arrived at our table in the back restaurant the service was wonderful and the food was beyond our expectations. But i can promise you we will think twice about returning because of that man.

• Pros: great food, wine list, service
• Cons: language

03/16/09

Bravo!

by justdanielle1

I had a fabulous romantic meal here on Friday for my birthday. We haven't been in a couple of years and it was just as good as ever. The food was very good and the service was top notch. There was always someone there whenever anything was needed. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and I can't wait to go back.

• Pros: Delicious Food, Great Service
• Cons: Bartender isn't as friendly as she could be

03/14/09

Overpriced but charming

by canwetalk

We were promptly seated. The waiter recited the specials but failed to mention the price, which resulted in a party member spending way over his budget for dinner. Bread was replenished without asking. The menu focuses mostly on chicken and pasta. Where the osso buco? The noise volume on a Friday night made conversation a little challenging. Great for a Friday night after-work dinner, but not the best Italian food.

• Pros: Great service, cozy atmosphere
• Cons: Overpriced, loud, limited parking

01/13/09

Amazing Lasagna

by insearchofyum

We have eaten at this wonderful restaurant four times now and each time, everything has been perfect. The appetizers are all wonderful- we especially loved Sammy's eggplant and the caprese - but then again, the sausage and peppers were great too! The lasagna is reasonably priced and homemade. And the fish is amazing. I guess I could go on and on about how delicious the food is- but I also want to mention how charming the house is, as well. This restaurant is in the old family home and the tables are reasonably spaced to insure privacy. One feels as if they are welcome guests in a friendly home. And, after dinner, check out the bocce ball court in the front yard for some more fun. We have dined there as a couple and also with a large group- and each time were made to feel welcome and were fed an amazing meal.

• Pros: charming family home, delicious food, easy parking
• Cons: can't really think of any

11/02/08

Great Date

by tapilgreen

Great restaurant. Both our dishes were delicious, good wine, service, and desserts. We will return soon.

• Pros: good location, convenient bar

10/16/08

Excellent Seafood Linguine!

by seamrippstress

Cool mellow atmosphere and excellent Italian food. hubby always has Chicken Milanese and love the linguine with fresh sauteed shellfish. Patrenella's is typically my first pick for Date nite. Romantic cottage, excellent service and wonderful AUTHENTIC Italian.

• Pros: the food and atmosphere

08/09/08

Overpriced pasta pit.......

by gitmogrunt

This place lacks basic Customer Service skills, the waiter we had was very domineering,controlling and rigid, not one smile, the entire duration of the torture session. Add this place to the ever growing list of Lousy Houston restaurants. Food was overpriced. I recommend anyone going out to eat in Houston to bring their Attorney to read the fine print in the menu. It's going to come down to a very few restaurants that are worth the money for the food you get here in Houston. Spend your money wisely and elsewhere.

• Pros: Iced Tea
• Cons: stiff service and prices

06/23/08

best real italian food in town

by dolcecouture

Best Real Italian food in town! Houston's best kept secret. Food is amazing, comfy feeling inside, great atmosphere, wonderful staff. Not to mention Italian family owned and operated.

Could not get any better.

• Pros: FOOD, Staff, atmosphere,

05/05/08

What Fun!

by livewelleatwell

This restaurant is a real gem! It's an old house on a side street off Washington and feels very comforatble. The surprise is in the food. Where you would expect just traditional dishes, the menu knocks it up to the level of all those talked-about strip mall Italian places. The Striped Bass is heaven, and you might want to do double orders of the Asparagus Risotto and make it a meal. Our waiter was all charm and mentioned we should go see the gardens out back as that's where a lot of their vegetables come from. How great is that?

We told some friends about Patrenella's, and they went for brunch last Sunday. They told us you go to the attached restaurant in the back - Corleone's - and can sit outside by the gardens. They loved it.

Everyone should know about this place!

• Pros: The old house, lots of parking, surprisingly good food
• Cons: None