Located in the historic Bellaire neighborhood of Houston, Enoteca Rossa offers a unique fine dining experience for any palate. Italian born chefs Carlo and Roberto are dedicated to quality ingredients, and maintaining Northern Italian traditions through our meticulously prepared offerings.
Come early for a European-style breakfast and espresso, and stay for our late night menu and traditional Italian wine bar. In a hurry? With an assortment of grab & go handmade pastries and full service coffee bar, Enoteca Rossa will have you on your way in no time.
Whether you’re looking for a quick European styled breakfast/brunch, lunch or an upscale fine dining experience, this quaint, neighborhood gem is one of my new favorite places that to be considered. I stopped in for an early brunch recently, and instantly fell in love. When you arrive you’re greeted by large heavy wooden doors that open to a causal yet chic Italian Restaurant. General Manager, Mike is always available and enjoys greeting his guests upon entry.
The front, walk-up counter is where you can order a quick pastry, beverage or Italian coffee. The chalk board highlights daily specials. Enoteca Rossa offers delicious Italian pastries, cookies and European styled breakfast/brunch plates.
Enoteca Rossa’s variety of Italian wines appeased my rigid palate, and I saw a couple of my favorites listed among their specialty coffees and lattes. During my visit they happened to be offering mimosas, but I suggest confirming that before you visit. Chef Carlo creates magic in the kitchen and I had the pleasure of capturing some footage of him making his famous wood-fired “Pizza Specialty.” If you enjoy watching the creative process that goes into creating your meal , I highly suggest pulling up a seat at the bar and watching the video below.
THE FOOD
Chef’s Ricotta, Mozzarella and Truffle “Pizza Specialty” was just one of the many delectable bites that passed my plate. When I walked up to the display window my eyes were immediately drawn to the “Breakfast Italiano,” because I’ve only seen egg cups on television. No one in my life uses egg cups for their soft boiled eggs, no one. So, there was no way I could simply pass up this opportunity.
Cracking my perfectly cooked, soft boiled egg was quite the challenge. I was so nervous yet unbelievably focused on my goal of getting to the runny, electric-yellow yolk. We also noshed on a selection of Italian cheeses and house made marmalade’s that were divine. A great mix of goat, cow and sheep’s milk cheese.
Enoteca Rossa’s specialty dish is their house-made Pumpkin stuffed Cappelletti with gulf shrimp in a New Orleans styled sauce, but should you not be a huge pasta fan like me, there are tons of other options for you to try! The Fritta del Giorno and Risotto come highly recommended.
DESSERTS
But wait, there’s more! Enotecca Rossa also has some amazing desserts that are worth a bite or two, or three. The “Rum Baba” was hands down my favorite dessert of the day. The traditional “Rum Baba” is a small yeast cake saturated in hard liquor, usually rum, and sometimes filled with whipped cream or pastry cream. Ours was soaked in Meyer’s Rum and totally authentic, and with two “real” Italian born chefs in the kitchen, diners should expect nothing less than perfection!
We also tasted the Bread Pudding, Baked Alaska and an assortment of Italian Petit Fours. All of these decadent desserts were inhaled in a matter of seconds. The Rum Baba shines alone as the front runner, but the Baked Alaska was a close second for sure. I am a sucker for meringue, but when you pair it with silky vanilla ice cream on top of an Italian styled cake you’ve got magic…torched sugar magic.
I had such a great time at Enotca Rossa. I can’t wait to return for dinner and a bottle of red wine!
4566 Bissonnet Ave
Houston, Texas 77401
HOURS
BREAKFAST
Mon-Fri: 7am-11am
Sat: 7am-2:30pm
LUNCH
Mon-Sat: 11am-2:30am
DINNER
Mon-Thurs: 5pm-9pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm
HAPPY HOUR
Mon-Thurs: 3pm-6pm
PHOTO GALLERY
