Enoteca Rossa — Restaurant in Bellaire

BEWARE OF THE HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL!!

I was organizing a Happy Hour with friends that enjoy wine. I saw on their website that Enotteca Rosa had a Happy Hour special of a pizza and a bottle of wine for $30. I called in July before they closed for a week vacation and spoke to the manager, Edwin, who told me that it was any pizza off the menu and a choice of a few red or white wines. I was finally able to organize a get together for September 5, 2025, so I called to make sure the Happy Hour special was still available and to see if we needed a reservation. The young lady that answered the phone suggested the reservation; however, I was not sure of the head count, but she recommended I make the reservation and call back if the number of people in the party changed, so I did. I then asked about the Happy Hour special and was told we would not have a choice of wine, that it is a selection the restaurant picks. When I told her about my conversation in July she put Edwin on the phone and I questioned him on it and he confirmed they choose a Happy Hour wine for the special. Wines by the glass would be anywhere from $16-$25. When a reminded him that we spoke in July and he had told me something different, he immediately rattled off 3-4 red wines and 3-4 white wines we could choose from. When I told him if I had not called again to check on the special I would have been put in an embarrassing situation with my friends because the information was not correct and I was fearful that if we did come to the restaurant it could change again. He thanked me for sharing my frustration with him and said he would train staff better. I told him that he too should be included in the training since he seems to change the policy with each phone call.

Needless to say I cancelled the reservation, suggested they adapt a Happy Hour policy, clearly state it on their website and stick to it. I informed him we would be going to Messina Hof in Richmond, TX which also has a Happy Hour with specials on wine and food that is clearly stated on their website and...

I wanted to like this place but left disappointed.

We made reservations 2 weeks prior for the main dining area, Saturday night. We arrived on time and it was packed inside with people waiting. I actually liked the indoor vibes of the place and wouldn’t mind sitting close to others as it gives a very neighborhood Italian restaurant. But they sat us outside, it was cold and raining. Despite reserving the main dining area 2 weeks prior. The location of the table was next to a curtain that kept flapping open. My backside was freezing the entire night. My fiancée wore her coat the entire night. We had to eat quickly before the food turned cold. Pizza was cold after we finished the first slice.

The food was ok but overpriced for what you get. The small pieces of lamb chops with a couple fingerling potatoes was not worth the price. Lamb chops were not cooked evenly to the same temperature. Pizza was probably the best thing and was somewhat reasonably priced— although it turned cold quick due to our seating location. We were too cold to order dessert by the end.

They also started setting up more foldout tables outside to accommodate more people, so I’m sure a lot of people ended up sitting outside when they reserved the main area.

Service was fine, waiter was nice. Spilled some wine on the table but that doesn’t bother me, he still offered us a glass after our bottle to make up for it. He was wearing a jacket due to the cold and looked warm. I was not. Because I dressed assuming I would be sitting indoors.

This is a fine neighborhood restaurant but there are better options for Italian in Houston. Having to sit outside the cold is what did it for me. Really disappointed considering we planned it out so far in advance. Would rather go to other Italian restaurants than...

I so wanted to like this place! Great location. But tonight we did not have a good experience. I'd had the pasta bolognese before, and it was good, so I ordered it again. My dining companion ordered the ravioli. And we ordered 1 glass cava and 1 glass wine. Whoosh bang! Our main course was on the table less than 3 minutes after we ordered. No pepper, no cheese, no bread, no butter. All these things were apparently not included with the meal. What Italian restaurant serves pasta without offering pepper? (Bread came eventually, no butter though, until I asked.) I was surprised by the look of my dish - pasta in a pale cream sauce with a hint of orange. But I was starving so I tried it. It was heavy cream with strong, slightly funky-tasting pork, and a slight touch of tomato for color. I ate it, but it was definitely not bolognese sauce. It was as bland as a band-aid. Our dessert menu was on the table well before I was finished eating my pasta. Check was on the table before I had even finished my drink. And I'm not a slow drinker. I guess they don't serve coffee? Total time in the restaurant about 12 minutes, give or take. It was early in the evening and the place wasn't even full. We paid our bill, including a tip, and left. No one said goodbye or thank you or have a nice evening. The staff isn't unfriendly, they just aren't paying attention. I don't like being rushed, sticky tatty menus, lack of attention to service, surprise experiments with classic dishes or inattentive staff. The pasta was served hot and that's why the second star. Not...