Photography by Jim Caldwell
With a lively, festive atmosphere, La Griglia offers guests a delicious display of New Italian dining. La Griglia means “the grill,” and most of the food here is grilled at one of two huge grills located in the center of the restaurant. Colorful Italian murals and busy mosaics provide a playful, whimsical ambiance, while fresh fish, creative pastas, chicken, beef, and fresh vegetables tempt guests with an array of fabulous choices.
Start with the shrimp and crab cheesecake appetizer or the equally delicious marinated grilled calamari in a red pepper and balsamic essence. Salads are as beautiful as they are bountiful, such as the highly praised Nutty Salad, with mixed greens, candied pecans, caramelized onions, ricotta salata, and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette. Or try the tomato and cucumber carpaccio topped with shaved Stilton and extra virgin olive oil.
For entrées, the robust grilled choices are abundant. House favorites include a roasted wild boar chop in a sherry morel sauce and a grilled yellowfin tuna with roasted tomatoes, grilled peppers, and shiitake mushrooms in a savory ponzu. The Veal Paillard is also a delight, prepared with garlic, olive oil and herbs, served with roasted potatoes and Parmesan crusted asparagus. For pasta lovers, the savory Bucatini Amatriciana features specially imported tomatoes, pancetta, and sweet onions. Pasta Shells alla Padovana are stuffed with shrimp, spinach, and mozzarella and topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
Make sure to save room for dessert, which is a sinfully rich and delightfully sweet ending to an incredible meal. La Griglia features one of the finest staffs in the city: polished, attentive, and talented. A great people-watching spot, the restaurant has a fabulous outdoor patio as well as a beautiful, well-appointed private dining room. With inventive cuisine, excellent service, and a casual, energetic atmosphere, La Griglia is one of the most popular restaurants in Houston.
Open Sunday 5:30-10 p.m. dinner only; Monday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Lunch, 5:30- 10 p.m. dinner; Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Lunch, 5:30-11 p.m. dinner; Friday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Lunch, 5:30 p.m.-midnight. dinner; Saturday 5:30 p.m.-midnight. dinner only. If you need a cocktail, the bar is always open 11:30 a.m.-close, Monday-Friday
Menu Highlights
APPETIZERS
Shrimp & Crab “Cheesecake”
Sesame Crusted Gulf Coast Snapper
Tenderloins of baby snapper with a crispy sesame crust and citrus bianco
Lobster Enchilada
With black beans and tomatillo sauce
PASTAS
Cappelletti
Homemade pasta stuffed with shrimp and tossed in a lobster reduction
Aragosta “Fra Diavolo”
Fedelini with Maine lobster, mussels, clams, tomatoes, and crushed red peppers
ENTRÉES
Grilled Gulf Coast Snapper
Served with lump crabmeat and a roasted garlic essence
Veal Paillard
Grilled with garlic, olive oil, and herbs, served with roasted potatoes and Parmesan chopped asparagus
Roasted Wild Boar Chop
Served with savory Parmesan mashed potatoes and topped with aged sherry morel sauce
Grilled Salmon
Topped with mushrooms and jumbo shrimp served with lobster risotto timbale
Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna
Roasted tomatoes, grilled peppers, and shiitake mushrooms in savory panzu
Seen above: Carciofi alla Guidea, Imported, Rome’s Famous Sautéed Artichoke; Shrimp & Crab “Cheesecake”; Pizza Margherita; Autumn Salad, mixed lettuce, tomatoes, toasted pecans and a balsamic dressing; Linguine Frutti di Mare; Rotisserie Chicken; Snapper á la Griglia with lump crabmeat; Antipasto, roasted peppers in balsamic vinegar, roasted tomatoes and carrots.
La Griglia
2002 West Gray, Houston, Texas 77019
(713) 526-4700
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