02/08/09

Eh, too pricey, too mediocre

by tinsel57

Let me start this by saying we're from upstate New York and take our Italian food very seriously.

Upon the recommendation of others and reviews we thought we'd try this family owned busienss for my son's birthday.

Our arrival was at 6pm on a Saturday and the dining area was well attended. We were quickly greeted and give one of only three available tables. Our waitress announced that this was her first night but greeted us with a smile and answered all our questions with the assistance of notes.

We chose to try the house chianti, at $23 a bottle. I thought that was high. It was fine. I wouldn't go out of my way to search for it.

We each chose a different dish: chicken piccata, ravioli, ziti with meatballs and chicken parm, all pretty standard Italian fare. We added the a la carte dinner salads.

The menu is basic but has no entree description and we did not ask.

We had finished our salads when the waitress appeared holding the entrees. She forgot to clear the table and so we quickly stacked our own plates so she could set the entrees.

Piccatta and Parm: Large bowls of pasta with a breast of chicken on top of each one. Again, not what we expected.

Ziti arrived in a small narrow chafing dish, along with a second chafing dish of meatballs.

Ravioli was large and served in an equally large bowl.

Three out of us were not impressed. Meatballs were bland, zita portion too small. Chicken picatta was slightly under done. Very salty.

Dessert, we went with the raves about Creme Brulee and Italian cream cake. No offering of coffee. No drink refills unless we asked.

The Italian Cream cake was quite good, the Creme Brulee runny.

Dinner for four was $100. Way to much for this level of service, atmosphere and food.

• Pros: Nice People
• Cons: Too expensive for a strip mall rest, food was mediocre, service needs improving

10/05/08

ok food, nice owners

by coed

The food is good. However, the menu does not include kids meals... Ordering a half portion for the kids, can get your bill pretty high.

The creme brullee is very good. The other cakes are average.

Nice place, too expensive with kids.

• Pros: nice staff, good food
• Cons: no kids meals

08/26/08

Great customer service, excellent homemade Italian food, fresh mozzarella

by mexico7

Wow! Where to start? From fabulous bruschetta....thick slices of mozzarella, and warm roasted bread covered with thousands of fresh tomatoes to some of the best chicken marsala I have ever eaten, this restaurant filled the bill for cozy and intimate....I felt like someone had invited me into their home as a valued guest and fed me to show their appreciation and love. The food fest ended with a smooth creme brulee topped with a crunchy sugar top...I was in Italian heaven... and I can come back!

• Pros: Great food...fresh ingredients and homemade, great service and wonderful family ambience
• Cons: None

08/05/08

Great Customer Service, Overpriced Mediocre Food

by BarbaraJenkins

I was excited to try this italian restaurant which is just a few blocks from my house. Once I arrived I was greeted and seated promptly. My enthusiasm started to waiver as I asked about their wine list and no one could give me any informed answers. I then ordered the overpriced margherita pizza which consisted of dough, cheese, four sprigs of basil, and two rings of tomatoes. The food was served with a smile but I left with a frown.

06/26/08

Best Eggplant Parmesan I have ever had

by BriTheTechGuy

My wife was a little nervous about me selecting this place to eat for dinner one night. How good can the food be at an Italian place in a strip mall? I was the first to admit, this place didn't look like much on the outside. However, once we entered, I had a whole different opinion. The lady at the door greeted us with a sincere smile and asked us if we were hungry. The actual server was nothing to write home about, but she was prompt and made sure we had everything we needed.

The setting inside was nice. You felt like you were at an Italian place that hasn't been manufactured by some faceless corporation. There are many recipie books placed on shelves, and tasting the food leads you to believe that the chef has read each and every one of them and spent time to perfect each dish on the menu. There is even a TV in the main area where you can watch the food being prepared and you can see clearly into the kitchen from your table.

My wife ordered the pizza with a salad and I had the eggplant parmesan. The whole time we were waiting, we couldn't take our eyes off of the food that was being brought out to the other tables, from the meatballs to the lasagna, everything looked delicious. The salad was surprisingly tasty. It had a good variety of , from cucumbers to carrots to olives. The lettuce itself was different than other places, not just a mash up of iceberg. It was both colorful and tasty. For the main dish, all I can say is that it was the best eggplant parmesan I have ever had. The breading was light and crisp, the way it should be, and the sauce and cheese added a nice balance, making it a very hearty dish. The pizza was good as well, nice and crispy. Most importantly, both of the dishes arrived at our table seemingly right off of the stove. They were both piping hot and fresh.

My compliments to the chef, we will definitely be back for more!

• Pros: The food is amazing, the greeting at the door is genuine, not crowded.
• Cons: Once the word gets out about this place, they are going to need a bigger dining room.

12/03/07

Mom and Pop Italian in Wells Branch **FOLLOW UP**

by texanka1883

Since my last review in December Lucretia, the co-owner has fixed the service problem. Everything was flawless last Friday when I dined in at It's Italian. A little secret, get on their email list so your know about the weekly specials and will not miss things like veal chops, chicken risoto or oso buoco. Also, Jonathan comes up with non-Italian master pieces like crawfish stuffing, fish tacos and escargot to die for. Check it out.

• Pros: Great food and a comfortable cozy feel
• Cons: The word is out so there might be a wait...but call ahead and Lucretia will save you a table

08/18/07

Best Little Italian Place in Austin!!

by backroads101

Everything is Great!!! I highly recommend it!!! Oso Buco to die for! Excellent Lasagna! Good old fashioned Italian food!

• Pros: It's All Good!
• Cons: None!

10/06/06

GREAT customer service and the food is delicious

by dewbrewer

It's Italian is a must for central Texans. The owners give the best customer service I have ever seen. They will know you by name the second time you come back. Even if the service was mediocre, you would rate the food as excellent. Yes they have the basics in spaghetti & lasagne (excellent meatballs & sausage can be added for cheap), and the menu expands to include shrimp caperri (spelling?), great pizzas like the original margherita pizza, chicken piccata and much more. Delicious appetizers include asparagus and the best calamari in town. If that isn't good enough, the beer menu goes way beyond coors light & that is important to me. I like wine with Italian food & they have that, but I am a beer-lover, too & you can find great microbrewed beers from the U.S. and the world here. Check it out.

• Pros: Customer Service, Taste, Value

06/14/06

The Best Local Italian in North Austin

by jshiffler

New York has hundreds. Round Rock has one. Nothing fancy, but the food is fabulous, reasonably priced and the owners are wonderful people. I just wish it was next door. Try the veal or chicken picatta. It is better than I can make at home which is the highest of compliments. It is great simple fare.

03/10/06

Feels like home...

by annbelle37

We live very close to It's Italian, and finally tried it for the first time last week. Needless to say, we are going back tonight. The service was great! Very personable people, and the owners both came to our table to say hello and serve us our food. It was very reasonably priced and tasted great! We had the ravioli and the baked ziti and both were very good. I would definately recommend It's Italian to anyone looking for a good home cooked meal.

• Pros: Good Food, Great Price, Great Service
• Cons: Too small!!