HO2007 - Simposio

Offerings from various parts of Italy, prepared in "Northern Italian style."

By David J. LeMaster
Photography by Jim Caldwell

A GuestLife Houston Great Restaurant

Seen Right: Owner Vasco Luti

To experience the best in Houston’s fine dining, try Simposio, rated by Esquire magazine and Zagat Survey 2006 as one of the best Italian restaurants in the United States, and 2006 first-place winner of The Houston Press' "Menu of Menus Extravaganza." Homemade pastas, Focaccia bread, and made in-heaven dessert creations are prepared fresh daily. Nightly specials, which often include venison, lamb chop, quail, Chilean sea bass, or lobster, give the restaurant a unique excellence. Gianpaolo Lute gladly accommodate special requests and do what it takes to make guest feel comfortable and relaxed.

The menu includes offerings from various parts of Italy, and food is prepared in "Northern Italian style" by rubbing vegetables with herbs and spices. The result is a healthy, delicious combination.

Simposio's owner Vasco Luti, born in Tuscany, splits time between Houston and Venezuela, where his family owned the famous Da Vasco's Restaurant for 30 years. Luti combines family recipes with exciting creations, and wants Simposio’s clientele "to fall in love with this restaurant because the food is excellent and the customer appreciates what we’re doing."

Among the kitchen's unforgettable creations are grilled halibut with sautéed golden potatoes, asparagus and cremini mushrooms in a balsamic reduction sauce — it literally melted in my mouth. The risotto with eggplant, sausage, and Parmesan cheese is outstanding, A freshly cut rose on each table adds to Simposio's sophisticated ambiance, and the striking, original artwork from Venezuela's Adahm Dalloul, a professor at Zulia University, gives Simposio a romantic, classical atmosphere.

Don't leave without trying the masterful desserts. Simposio's crème brûlée is a perfect combination of outer crust and carefully blended interior with fresh fruit; the unique recipe for tiramisú includes a hint of espresso and lady fingers, which yield the diner a pleasantly satisfying gastronomical experience.

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

Antipasti

Frittura Mista
Lightly fried calamari, shrimp and scallops

Insalate

Insalate Simposio
Arugula, Belgian endive, mushrooms, and Parmesan shavings

Pasta

Fettuccine alla Bolognese
Fettuccine with Bolognese-style meat sauce

Linguini ai Frutti di Mare
Linguini with mixed seafood in a lightly spiced tomato sauce

Pesce

Brodetto di Pesce
Mediterranean-style mixed seafood soup with grilled garlic bread

Carne

Scaloppine di Vitello
Veal scaloppini in a white wine sauce

Garetto d'agnello
Braised lamb shank with rosemary mashed potatoes

Simposio Ristorante Italiano
Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.,
Friday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Saturday 5-10:30 p.m.
Open Sundays only for private parties.

8401 Westheimer Road, Ste. 190 Houston, Texas 77063
(713) 532-0550
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