Fratelli's — Restaurant in Houston

I like Italian food as much as the next person. I tend to shun the chain restaurants when I go for Italian. I want something a little more authentic and creative. That desire led me to visit Fratelli’s Ristorante.

Fratelli’s has a visually pleasing interior with pictures on the walls in some sections, painted depictions of people and places in others, and brick in others. The chandeliers add a touch of elegance, but the overall mood is still reasonably casual, which is what I prefer. They have private rooms, too, and even a small amount of outdoor seating.

With food, you may want to start off with an appetizer or soup and salad. Or, just dive in and go for one of the main courses, which include all sorts of pasta dishes, as expected, pizzas, and a few specialty dishes. They make a good lasagna and Katy Ruiz Pasta is always a good choice. The food is fresh and tasty, and easily better than what you would get at a chain Italian restaurant.

The last time I was here was on a Tuesday evening and there were few people present. This was good, because it meant there was no problem with conversing with those at my table. I know they have live music at their piano bar on the weekends and it is likely more crowded then, too. Visiting on an off day of the week is better, if you want to be able to chat while you dine.

Italian food, if prepared right, is real treat. Fratelli’s Ristorante offers quality food and drink with good service and atmosphere. I would like it more if they would improve the beer selection, but this is still a good place overall and one...

We went to Fratelli's to celebrate our dear friend's birthday Friday night. To be truthful, we chose this restaurant because we knew that chef Mark Cox had returned to work and, was now heading this kitchen. We have been long time loyal customers to Mark's restaurant, and were thrilled to hear he was back in the kitchen...ANY kitchen after he closed Mark's. This restaurant is not Mark's, by any means. But , it is a warm, friendly neighborhood type establishment that just happened to have the wonderfully good sense to engage one of the finest chefs around. We were promptly and graciously welcomed and seated at a very nice table. We immediately recognized our server, Aurturo from Mark's and were happy to get reports on the well being of many old friends from the days past, and were happy to hear that many others had followed chef Cox to this new venture. Our drinks were well made, the appetizers and salads were delicious and while tempted by the lovely house menu of some very inviting looking Italian dishes, all three of us succumbed to the cod special that had Mark's signature stamped on every aspect of the dish. The desserts were unremarkable ,hence the 4 stars. Not only was our little birthday dinner enjoyable, but the foundation Fratelli's has laid with their own inviting signature dishes, has made sure that we will visit again and again. It's...

My husband and I were here for Valentine's 2025 dinner. He had the special short ribs and I had the truffle pasta with grilled chicken.

The house salad was the best part of the dinner. All else was mediocre at best. I am a truffle pasta afiocionada and this one is on the WAAAY bottom of the list. The pasta was definitely not al dente. It was thin, off-the-shelf and MUSHY-- the sauce was heavy and soupy with some brown truffly things on top. Chicken was ok. To be fair, we paid half of what we are used to paying for good truffle pasta so yes the saying does go far as you get what you pay for.

My husband described the short ribs flavoring as ribs with a strange sauce.

The house salad was very good. We enjoyed that very much. The creamy dressing ratio to salad was on point.

Mind you this was Valentine's day so maybe it's better on other less busy days. Who knows.

Our waiter was amicable and short, but we noticed she was very personable to the regulars.... Talked it up to the table next to us and the dessert menu was loudly proclaimed (we just got the written menu handed to us).

A lady in white who seemed ownerish /supervisorish stood in the middle pointing and ordering her staff around as softly as she could muster (but we can hear).

Parking is good as it is in a strip center.

First and last...