Dallas Fort Worth is certainly known for its meat--especially its steak and barbecue. After that, Tex-Mex is another obvious choice. And while the Italian food here may not necessarily be up to the standards of New York City or Boston, there are more than a few decent Italian restaurants--these are two that radiate both atmosphere and service, though the first choice is more of a fine-dining night out and the latter a louder night of fun.
A Quiet Night Out In Fort Worth
Aventino's has been closed for many months for renovation. The family-owned restaurant has spent the past year passing the reins from one generation to the next, though local reviews have praised the transition as smooth and seamless. Aventino's is the place to go for a quiet evening of fine dining. It's a smaller establishment, and it embraces a quiet atmosphere.
Getting Away From Crowds
The wine menu offers a fair range of both variety and price, and the waitstaff is happy to let customers relax with a glass before ordering. A small offering from the kitchen emerged--English peas with a powdered olive oil side, setting it off remarkably. After a simple bread starter, it was time to order. An airy pumpkin gnocchi arrived, flavorful and one easy to recommend. Aventino's full menu can be found here.
The windows are frosted for privacy, the place is impeccable and chic, yet it's easy to relax and savor the tastes and mood. When so many restaurants are closed on Mondays, Aventino's is a nice place to escape--it's no doubt much busier on weekends.
Casual, Rambunctious Fun
The Italian Inn makes an interesting first impression. Upon opening the doors (which bear a sign reading, "Home of the Singing Waiters!"), you descend into a basement, surrounded by years of graffiti (even before you descend the stairs). The main floor houses a raised piano, which starts up around 6:00 (though the restaurant opens at 5:00); periodically throughout the night, the waitstaff take turns getting up and singing. The songs range from Beatles to contemporary to Broadway.
One-of-a-Kind
The restaurant is a longtime town favorite--the booths are famous for having closable doors. Also, under each booth table is a glass table-top, underneath which are a multitude of scraps of paper with notes. 95% are the loving, anniversary types, with the occasional notable exception--something along the lines of, "Dear Larry, I'm here with your ex-wife and you're under a rock, scumbag..." So between the writing and the music, it's a fun night even before the food comes out.
A complimentary soup and salad bar is very tasty, and the menu itself offers perfectly affordable dishes, full of Italian staples, several chicken dishes and a nightly special.
The Italian Inn
3304 Fairfield Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76116
(817) 737-0123
approximate price for dinner for two, with wine, $35
Aventino's
3206 Winthrop Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76116
(817) 731-0711
approximate price for dinner for two, with wine, $50+
Margaret Burke - Margaret Burke currently resides in Boston, MA. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2000 with a BA in Radio/TV/Film and a ...
