HO2007 - Amici

Traditional Neopolitan family recipes.

By David J. LeMaster
Photography by Jim Caldwell

A GuestLife Houston Great Restaurant

For a marvelous dining experience in a contemporary Neopolitan kitchen, try Amici in Sugar Land. Located just off Highway 59 in the town square next to City Hall, this terrific Ristorante gains much of its personality from its two co-owners: Chef Bruce MacMillian, whose decadent creations are memorable and delicious, and house manager Jeff Valone, whose vibrant personality and attention to detail perfect the restaurant’s atmosphere. Valone comes by things naturally — his father owns Tony's, a Houston legend, and his family contributed many of Amici's recipes.

My personal favorite is Mom's Tufoli, created at a family dinner when his mother stuffed meatballs with "too much cheese," and wrapped them in pasta. The resulting "error" is simply delicious! So is the snapper in bianca lemon sauce served with tomato over garlic spinach, just one of the excellent daily specials. Amici is passionate about serving quality food and uses only the freshest ingredients. The menu features fine Italian and American wines, daily fish and pasta specials, fabulous pizzas, and traditional Neopolitan family recipes.

The 60-seat banquet room includes marvelous artwork by Houstonian Rusty Arena, and other local artists are also exhibited. The spacious patio allows comfortable, elegant dining. Amici's is also proud to offer online reservations through opentable.com, allowing guests to book a table from any location. Be sure to save room for the biscotti, a delightful recipe from Valone's grandmother. My experience was accentuated by a visit from the city's mayor, who confessed that Amici is simply wonderful. I wholeheartedly agree.

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

Lunch

Antipasto
A variety of imported meats, cheese, marinated seafood and Neopolitan-style vegetables

Crab Claws "Spiritosa"
With tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a splash of Chianti

Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza

Grilled Snapper Agrume
Grilled snapper atop garlic spinach and extra virgin olive oil, citrus, and mint

Dinner

Appetizers

Carciofi E Funghi Alla Giudea
Artichokes and mushrooms with a hint of shaved garlic and extra virgin olive oil

Peppers "Nino"
Roasted red peppers filled with mozzarella and basil sautéed crisp with a basil-bianco sauce

Salads

Tomatoes Ashley
Finely chopped arugula and radicchio topped with heirloom tomato, asparagus, hearts of palm, and basil vinaigrette

Pizza

Roasted Tomato and Chicken Italian Sausage and Pepperoni

Entrées

Seafood Lasagna
Open-faced sheets of pasta with shrimp, scallops, snapper, octopus, calamari, and crab fingers with basil-spiked bianco sauce

Romano Crushed Golden Brook Trout
topped with bay scallops, tomatoes, and Frascati essence

Scaloppine of Veal Vietri
Tender scaloppini of veal topped with sautéed gulf shrimp, slivered artichokes, and late harvest peas, accented with bracingly tart bianco

Amici
Open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

16089 City Walk (take Highway 6 off 59) Sugarland, Texas
(281) 242-2800

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