Out waiter was kind and new even the smallest details of the menu. We did not have a reservation but waited less than 20 minutes for a table outside with plenty of heaters. Coltivare has a phenomenal atmosphere to enjoy a delicious meal together. read more

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Second time here and my experience was just as great as my first time here (can read my original detailed review). Parking is a pain but IT IS THE HEIGHTS, like....anyway, but we found street parking easily. Highly recommend reservations, we got seated immediately and we were early too. New items we got were the Ricotta cavatell 5/5 so yummy. The cinnamon panna cotta was delicious too. The tomato basil pizza was sooooo good especially the crust. I felt like there were plenty of vegetarian options so that was nice. It was quite loud but it wasn't too bad. The server was very patient with us. I can't wait to be back! read more

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Great food, nice atmosphere. Downside is how congested it feels inside and lack of parking outside. read more

Coltivare delivers an exceptional dining experience--every dish is thoughtfully crafted, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and the focused menu strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and refined elegance. read more

Absolutely fantastic dining experience here! The service was excellent & the food was delicious. Their menu changes seasonally & ingredients are fresh. We sat on the patio when the temperatures were below 50 degrees outside, but the heater kept us nice & warm. read more

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Our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Staff is great and the garden is beautiful. Wine program is also top tier.

Came here at the recommendation of someone in the food industry and I was impressed. I came with a buddy during restaurant week and we split a bunch of items, including those in the pictures. I will say the best menu item is the spaghetti; I am in agreement with the rest of the community. It's simple but so well executed that I have nothing bad to say. The rest of the items were decent but I think some things could've been better. I hated the multigrain bread that came with the eggplant. Thought I was gonna break a tooth. Pizza had a bit too much arugula. Service was good. They were busy and made sure we had drinks throughout the night. Dessert was good but nothing standout like the pasta. The vibe here is pretty cool. I think the outdoor patio is a nice touch. Inside can get a bit crammed but creates for a cozy feel. read more

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We got a last minute reservation and were seated immediately on a Monday at 5:45. The place was packed and there were people sitting outside on the covered patio in 100 degree heat. Luckily, we were inside. Our server was with us promptly and got our drink orders going. I loved that at each end of our table was a drawer with all the silverware in it, which you grabbed for yourself. We started with the arancini and the ricotta spread. The spread was my favorite as it was more unique and came with bread to dip or spread on. The texture was great with the bufala and ricotta and the tomatoes added a nice sweet flavor. I got the pepperoni pizza for my entree and it was definitely enough for more than one person. The main part of the pizza was thin, but the crust was extra puffy. There was tons or shaved parmesan and arugula and it reheated well. This is a great neighborhood place! read more

Favorite Houston Italian restaurant (so far)! Amazing service, good wine selection, good atmosphere, and their pastas are perfectly al dente. I ordered their bucatini and loved it. Will be back to try their pizzas because I hear they're good. read more

Coltivare was delicious. The order of bread came out hot and warmed my heart. The dishes feel like they are crafted with love. I can definitely recommend any of the pizza, and I am still working my way through the pasta. read more

Coltivare - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Visited for the first time for the HRW menu after seeing how many vegetarian options were on it! That's rare to see for Houston Restauraunts Week. I ordered the -Cauliflower appetizer - overall tasty but if I'm being picky I wish the cauliflowers were more crisp and there was a bit more flavor to some of them. There was a sweet and sour sauce, which was tasty but a few were lacking the sauce. -Black pepper spaghetti - This was a unique spaghetti that was tasty, but heavy on the black pepper. -Olive oil cake - delicious cake! I also tried the zucchini involtini and thought it was better than the spaghetti! Next time I will be getting that order instead. Parking is street only. I imagine it would be difficult to find a spot on a weekend but it was easy to find a spot on a weekday. read more

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Top end ingredients meets casual dining. Made reservations for an early Dinner with the family. The inside is a bit small but it is not cramped and you are not right on top of other people. Did not get to check out the patio. We ordered several items and split them, basically making it a 4 course meal. Drink: Cobbleston Street: Probably one of the best Mezcal cocktails i have ever had. Great balance of ingredients. Smoked trout dip, pickled mustard seeds, herbs, seeded cracker: good but a little dry. not bad, be warned the crackers are very hard. Pizza: Chicken, prosciutto, fresh tomato, sage, saba: We added fresh mozzarella. It was a very flavorful pizza. The dough was thick and fluffy, yet light and tasty. the toppings were fresh and it had a good flavor combination. Pasta: Casarecce, oxtail, sugo, pearl onions: The pasta was fresh and had an interesting mix of flavors and ingredients. However this was only ok. That was a bit disappointing because we made the trip to try a pasta dish. Chocolate rum cake, pistachio buttercream, salted caramel ganache: Was very good. Not overly sweet or heavy, not what I would expect in a rum cake but very good none the less. Overall thoughts: The experience was good not great. Everything we had ranged from ok to good. With the drink being the best, pizza and cake coming in second. You are paying for the quality ingredients and the bill added up quickly. I will say that we all left feeling full and not nasty, but also feeling that it could have been just a little better for the cost. I think it was a fine meal, but nothing to make us rush back. Worth a try, but I think Coltivare is not for everyone. I would recommend, but probably not be going back any time soon. read more

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I have been here a few times and the food is definitely good, but I agree with fellow Elite Yelper Catharine Yen, it's semi-overhyped. The spaghetti with fresh cracked black pepper was good but I wouldn't say the pasta was the best I've ever had. Same with the pizza- good, but not magnificent. The meatballs were well seasoned but a little too crumbly for me. The frisée salad was my favorite dish of the evening- the vinaigrette makes it. Reservations are hard to come by, so book in advance. They provide kids' coloring pages to entertain the little ones but did not furnish boosters for chairs. The garden area is pretty to dine in and there are heaters to provide warmth. Parking is a bit tough in the area and there are signs everywhere about pickpockets. Make sure to remove valuables out of sight and lock your car before you eat! read more

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Everything was absolutely delicious. From beginning to end, the service is spectacular, the food is spectacular, the atmosphere is energetic. I would recommend anything on the menu. Grilled chicken breast was juicy, mussels were garlicky, buttery with delicious bread to dip. Meatballs are dense with no fillers, fish cooked to perfection. Again, try anything on the menu and you will not be disappointed. read more

The food here is great, one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Houston! The staff is great, nice, and helpful. Great date night spot!

Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Houston. They have a garden to source some of their ingredients from, an amazing menu with plenty of options if you have a strict diet or allergies. The wine list has always been excellent and aligned well with the dishes offered. The cocktails are beyond amazing, especially those with bourbon/whisky featured. Their gluten free options are always amazing!!!! Services is always just right, friendly with attention to detail. The staff is well informed on the menu and beverage selections and more than capable of suggesting both dishes to try and drinks to pair with them. Great ambiance as well. They have a nice outdoor area perfect for cool fall or spring nights and a cozy dining room, not too dark but with perfectly lit tables for both small groups of fiends or couples out on date nights... The owners/operators are really great guys who are always first to be involved in Houston related outreach and fundraisers for local communities -- truly cannot say enough good things about them, their and staff/team in each of their establishments though this one is my favorite! read more

Coltivare - Bottle of wine from dinner - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Coltivare is a spot that's equal parts cozy and vibrant. This neighborhood gem offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff, despite being bustling with activity, were attentive and accommodating from start to finish. We appreciated Joshua for taking the time to work with my friend who has 6 different allergies. Greg was also accommodating! Let's start with the desserts! We tried three! While the strawberry ice cream and chocolate rum cake were undeniably tasty, it was the panna cotta that everyone loved. I think it's the honey crumbles. The pizza dough was just how I LOVE pizza. Crusty, chewy and not drenched in toppings. The linguini negro didn't quite hit the mark for me as it was lacking something? However, we all enjoyed the cacio e pepe! The mussels were nicely sauced, I would've appreciated toast to soak up the flavors. The salads provided our daily vegetables as well as the cauliflower. I opted for the French 75 cocktail, my go to and it was perfect. read more

Been eyeing this spot for years but always heard it was hard to get in on a whim (I hate planning for dinner ahead of time) so never really bothered. We were at the bar next door and everyone was hungry about an hour before closed so walked over and was able to get seated right away. The service was impeccable. The food was even better! I opted for the Gnocchi and it was some of the best I've ever had. The nuggets were perfectly pan fried on the outside but the interior was a good version of a fluffy cloud. A great balance of seasoning to flavor the dish. I will definitely be back, and as a person of habit will enjoy this dish for round 2. read more

Coltivare - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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It's very loud inside the building, I have to admit, but it wasn't impossible to have a conversation. I really enjoyed the homey feel of the place as you walked in, and I was expecting okay food, but I was pleasantly surprised by what we were given. The cocktails were well made in appropriate glassware, and arrived quickly after being ordered. We started with the focciacia and burrata; the stack of crispy fresh bread was so perfectly seasoned. We also ordered the cacio e pepe, like every other table in the restaurant, the root vegetable lasagna, and the beef shank, all of which were better than I expected, especially the beef. It have me an amazing crust on the outside, and paired with the jus was just spectacular. The cacio e pepe was so good for being so simple. We ordered the pear dessert, which was decent but nothing to write home about. All in all, a fantastic meal, and I will be returning in the future. read more

Coltivare - Beef shank, amazing - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I'm giving 5 stars simply for the service alone. From the moment I walked in, the hostess was extremely kind and accommodating. We didn't have reservations for 5 on a Saturday evening so I didn't have high hopes of finding a table. However, she looked through her schedule and found us a table for the time we were looking to dine. Our entire party hadn't arrived and I was waiting outside with my baby. The hostess noticed immediately and escorted me to a table. Waters arrived immediately, our server came by rather quickly too and tended to us. She was very attentive and pleasant. Just a great example of fantastic hospitality!! The food, was pretty good for the most part. It wasn't the absolute best we've had but it was pretty good! The focaccia could be a little less salty, and the marinara sauce could use complexity. The drinks were great, the corn ribs were flavourful and the cavatelli was spot on. Meal and a cocktail for 4 adults was about $230 with tip so it's not exactly cheap. But I think the service alone makes up for it. read more

Another fantastic meal at Coltivare! This time with our 2 kids under 6 and they devoured the bolognese and cacio e pepe. Our server was outstanding - very understanding of the needs of a family - and paced the meal so all could eat contently. The restaurant had a good balance of noise from other guests and enough quiet we could still speak to each other. We loved our visit! read more

4.5/5 The service and ambiance were 5/5. The staff was so friendly and helpful with their recommendations. I loved the outdoor ambiance and the garden with all their produce growing. Everything looked so fresh and, hence, the food also tasted so fresh! We ordered the black pepper pasta and the pepperoni pizza. Both of them were simple dishes made with high quality ingredients that you can taste very clearly. The whole meal felt light and filling at the same time. I want to come back again and try their drinks! read more

Coltivare - Pepperoni Pizza - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

From the service to the food, you are treated like a VIP to fine dining when entering Cultivare. I suggest making reservations ahead of time to ensure you have seating. It does tend to get busy. I started with an old fashioned, it tasted more like whiskey than a balance of the mix of ingredients. The focaccia rosemary & olive oil was flavorful, if you like bread then this should be ordered but be sure to share otherwise might not finish your meal. The backyard lettuce salad was light & fresh. The lettuce is grown in the backyard of Coltivare. The wood grilled chicken was juicy and savory. We asked for the Agrodolce sauce on the side which made it easier to manage the amount the chicken was dressed in. The sauce was sweet and sour and also a bit spicy. The highlight of my meal was the Cacio e Pepe. As simple as the dish is, spaghetti, with black pepper & cheese, the dish was intensely full of flavor and texture. Will be returning just for this dish. Finally, had one more drink, that our courteous, friendly and knowledgeable waiter Jason suggested along with a quick Greek Mythology history lesson on Demeter. He suggested Demeter's Harvest (seasonal drink), a great way to end the night here. Not sure what it was made of but it tasted like autumn, which I fully enjoyed. The ambiance is good for a date night or small group. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is available on the side of the street or in the shared parking lot. Overall extremely pleased & satisfied with my experience and will be adding Coltivare to my dining rotation. read more

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First time here and it's amazing food and service !! The focaccia with burrata was phenomenal and the waiter was so nice and knowledgeable on the food, me and my friend didn't catch his name but he had a nose piercing , he was amazing. Manuel was also the sweetest and always made sure we were good on refills. The chicken dish was also so yummy , I would definitely come here again :) read more

Coltivare - black pepper pasta and wood fired chicken - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I gave this place 4 stars, but in reality, it probably would get around 3.5. I came here on a Friday night with two friends without a reservation. Surprisingly, we were able to find street parking nearby and were seated immediately outside. The restaurant itself was so loud and packed that I could not hear my own thoughts, so the ambiance outside was surprisingly pleasant. Heaters and lights as well as the garden around us made for a lovely evening. Now onto the food and service. The service was honestly excellent with people checking up on us often. One of the waiters even filled up our water glasses after we took 1-2 sips (a little excessive, but the thought was nice). We settled on focaccia with burrata, the broccoli salad, and the ricotta gnocchi (really pleased with the number of vegetarian options on the whole menu). When ordering, we asked the waitress for a recommendation between the lasagna and gnocchi, and she convinced us that the gnocchi was a good choice. After ordering, however, she informed us that it was really not a lot of food and that we should get the lasagna too. The three of us were uncertain and asked if we could keep a menu and add on later, but she insisted and essentially ordered the lasagna for us. I understand that she was trying to be helpful and nice, but it felt a little uncomfortable. A manager also came out to us and apologized for bringing us a dish that we did not order on accident, which we relayed was of course no problem. Now onto the food: The focaccia w/ burrata- honestly, it's bread, so it will never not be good. The sea salt and rosemary added an extra layer of flavor that were lovely on the bread. However, in terms of it being a focaccia, the texture was all off. It was thin, crispy, and dark, rather than fluffy and chewy like I would expect (it was probably a little overbaked). The burrata was delicious and came with some olive oil and a flavorful balsamic. This dish on its own was $20 dollars, which I thought was a bit much for an appetizer Charred broccoli salad- I love me a good broccoli! It was tasty, light, and fresh. The lemon dressing was tangy and delicious, and the pecans added a wonderful crunchy texture. Root vegetable lasagna- This dish sounds a lot better than it tastes. The pasta in the lasagna was really high quality (perfectly cooked), and the root vegetables were soft and added great dimension to the dish. The arugula pesto was a nice change from regular pesto (tasting a little lighter), but overall I felt like the dish was a little bland. Also, the parmesan broth was quite watery and they didn't give us a serving utensil. Trying to get broth into your plate with my own fork and knife was not working. Ricotta gnocchi- Rather than being pillowy, the gnocchi was a little crunchy. I did like the taste and cheesiness of them being stuffed with ricotta, but I think I would have preferred some sort of sauce to go with it. The wilted greens and balsamic helped add flavor, but I was left wanting more. In the end, we had a lot of leftovers, which is what we were trying to avoid, but it did make for a nice reheated meal. With the price and overall experience, I don't know if I would be coming back except maybe to try out the pizza or cocktails (they had a dry january menu that looked really good too!) read more

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Coltivare will be a part of the repertoire for sure! The bartenders are very knowledgeable about their spirits and the cuisine. We almost always sit at the bar when it's just the two of us, and it's perfect! As I type this, we've been there a couple of times. The foccacia, rosemary, sea salt, and burrata is a great starter [can be filling, so definitely share]. I had the mafalde with manilla clams [at the bartender's rec], and it was ! He had the meatballs, parmesan, tomato reduction & herbs. Also . The second time around, we started with the small plate mussels, and we shared a pie [I can't remember which one, but they're all good]. We love this place! And you will too! read more

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Coltivare is a dining experience for people who enjoy a bustling and noisy atmosphere. With that said, the service and cuisine were incredibly memorable! Specifically, the care that the Chef and their crew put into each dish. The rosemary focaccia, the pepperoni pizza, the delightfully spicy buccatini, and the plum dessert are all dishes I am still thinking about as I write this review. There's this NYC, Greenwich Village, or even Queens kinda' vibe with the dark wood and xmas lights inside Coltivare. Talia took care of us, and she's an amazing server! Can't forget to also share the unforgettable and scintillating cocktails we had to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The gin and tonics came in these goblet glasses, and they were perfect! I also had this Pimms cocktail that was so good my hubby said, "That's a dangerous drink, haha". As we left, the hostess wished us a happy anniversary, which made our dining experience sparkle even more. read more

If you are looking for an Italian food this is not that place.. This so-called "Italian" restaurant is really just a pretentious, overpriced mess with a vaguely European name. The only Italian dish on the menu is a sad, bolognese that tastes more like a chili experiment gone wrong. Everything else is some strange fusion of random ingredients drowned in cracked black pepper.. Noisy, hick/hipster (hickster) Overpriced dump. read more

We hadn't been back in ages and we were disappointed. We got the cauliflower for an appetizer- it was good but not as amazing as we remembered last time (4/5). But then again, it is just cauliflower. We got the trout and it was amazing! I would highly recommend. We enjoyed the garnishes and it had a nice flavor (5/5). We also got the cacio e pepe and it was good, nothing crazy (4/5). The desert was amazing/ we got the chocolate rum cake the pistachio and salted chocolate toppings. It was so good (5/5). We also got wine and the service was pretty good! read more

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This was my 3rd time returning and my best experience yet. I cannot stop thinking about that warm spinach salad. And yet again, surprisingly the chicken dish was the favourite entree. I have a rule for not ordering chicken at restaurants (seems so basic), but that agrodolce sauce was perfection! Def leave room for dessert! read more

Amazing atmosphere, cute garden. Charred octopus paired with melon was phenomenal. Great pizza and pasta with good portion. Cocktails (forgot to take picture) was pretty and tasty as well. read more

Coltivare - Spaghetti, black pepper, Parmesan; pizza tomato, basil, mozzarella - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I absolutely love this place. The food is always very fresh and delicious. The service is good, and the ambience is also really nice. I like to sit outside. When the weather is good, you're surrounded by herbs they grow on site. My favorite thing is the spaghetti, I usually get it every time, even if it's just as an appetizer. read more

Celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary here! Food Was delicious! Seating was a tight squeeze inside but didn't bother me. Next Time We Will Try Outside seating and pretty interesting How the utensils were inside Little drawers on the Table. Service was excellent! read more

This was my second time at Coltivare and they didn't disappoint! The mussels are incredible and you MUST get the foccacia bread to dip in the delicious, flavor-packed, mouth-watering juice. The hazelnut cake was plated beautifully and was the perfect dessert to share. I have appreciated the service at Coltivare both times I visited. The servers are friendly, patient, and helpful. We sat outside this time and I highly recommend it. The garden is peaceful and made the dinner feel more romantic. read more

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Ok, after 3-4 tries, this visit will be our last. Seated in the dining area off the main room on a very cool evening, it's a "no-mans" land out there. Heaters are triggered only when temps are in the mid-50's we were told. With the plastic barriers drawn up, it made for an uncomfortable and chilly dining experience. That aside, the space lacks character and is uninviting. Not sure if the Margarita Pizza is designed to be Neopolitan-like. If so, it misses the mark (crust falls flat-tasteless sauce and lack of mootz). Lots of basil tho! Haha. The Meatballs are offered as an Entree ($21). 3 nicely (bigger than a golf ball) sized meatballs with a few tablespoons of marinara.. If you want bread, that'll cost ya. Finally, the wood fired chicken (2 orders) was a thumbs up. Priced at $28 why wouldn't Coltivare add potatoes or a veg to complement the dish instead of offering a few grapes? And who spiked my cup of Decaffeinated Coffee I wondered at 230a. Staff were friendly enough and attentive. Add 2 glasses of white wine for a total of $144. read more

I was at Coltivare for a business dinner recently. We were hoping to impress an out of town colleague with a great meal, and had heard outstanding things about this restaurant. The food, service, etc was just fine, hence my four star rating. I write this review instead to describe a concerning incident in the parking lot following dinner in case that information is helpful to others. Following dinner, the four of us went to the parking lot between Coltivare and its sister establishment, the EZ Liquor Lounge, and were wrapping up our conversation near our cars. Suddenly, we observed a white middle-aged man in a red baseball cap, checked shirt, and flip flops leave the open patio at EZ and walk up to our group. He stood extremely close to one of us in particular and stared at each of us (but especially one of our colleagues, who happened to be black) silently and hostilely. We asked him what he wanted and if we could help. He refused to respond, continuing to hover over us at a close distance calculated to be threatening, staring silently. We asked him a few more questions (e.g., "Do you need us to move? Are we blocking your car?"). No response, just a long, vacant stare. We moved away. He shuffled after us, again getting close enough to threaten. At this point, it seemed possible that he was mentally unstable, drunk, looking for an excuse to be violent, or some combination of those. His actions put us all on alert that this was a very unstable situation, especially since we didn't know if he was armed. My wife and I told our visitor and colleague to go to their car, and we'd watch to make sure they were safe. When they left, the stranger watched them exit the parking lot and returned to the patio of the EZ where he appeared to be drinking with a couple friends. We then left. I have no idea what this guy was up to, but it was creepy and intimidating enough that my wife called to report it to the police and stressed that he seemed unstable. Also, this stranger seemed most fixated on the one member of our group who was black. The stranger hovered over him specifically and stared at him the whole time. When our colleague left, the stranger returned to the bar. I infer from that that the stranger was offended by the presence of a black person and tried to intimidate him into leaving. Later, I had to call and apologize to our work colleague for the incident. I don't think it damaged our professional relationship, but it was embarrassing and a regrettable way to end an otherwise enjoyable evening. These are the facts of my experience. I'm not casting any blame on the respective establishments, or telling anyone what to do. But I'm certainly not going to go to Coltivare again, and if I had a friend (especially a non-white friend) considering going there, I'd urge them to find another of HTX's many fine restaurants where people of all backgrounds can feel safe. read more

Coltivare is good, but nothing to get overtly excited about. The dishes were mostly bland, except for the pepperoni pizza that had some spice. The best dish of the night was the black pepper spaghetti. Food did come out quick and hot, service was also okay, but the restaurant is extremely loud! Hubby and I had to practically yell to have a conversation. Coltivare is good for a one time visit, but we probably won't be back. read more

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First time here and we didn't have a reservation but we got seated outside patio, which we didn't mind at all. We do recommend reservations if you want to be seated inside. Our server Jason and team were on point with keeping our water filled and checking on us. We ordered black pepper pasta, potatoes wedges,& house pizza! Everything was delicious!! Definitely would be back to try other items on the menu!! read more

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Food was outstanding. A simple leaf salad with dressing was memorable. Ravioli dish was unique. The Pavlova passion fruit dessert was to die fall. The service was very attentive. Drinks were overpriced but was glad to pay the bill. read more

Bottom line: A delicious menu that will have you coming back again and again. The food at Coltivare remains relatively simple, but the incredible flavors and reasonable price point have made it a go-to destination when we introduce visitors to Houston's culinary scene. Parking / Seating: Little to no dedicated parking, so street-parking on one of the neighborhood streets (Arlington or Cortlandt) is usually your best bet. Make a reservation several days in advance if you want to eat at a peak time -- otherwise be prepared to wait for an hour or more. Eating in the garden is great in good weather but can get pretty toasty in the summer. Food: - Roasted Cauliflower: 5 out of 5 -- Fantastic dish with both smoky and sweet flavoring...this one's a must-try - N'Duja: 4.5 out of 5 -- A solid starter, and the honey is a nice touch - Chicken Wings: 3 out of 5 -- Doesn't come close to some of the other offerings...flavor is alright but the chicken is generally too dry - Black Pepper Spaghetti (Cacio e Pepe): 5 out of 5 -- A simple spaghetti, but the black pepper makes the dish - Revival Pepperoni Pizza: 4 out 5 -- Delicious thin-crust pizza, but just a bit overpriced for what it is - Focaccia w/ Burrata: 5 out of 5 -- The burrata is so creamy it's easy to accidentally fill up on this starter before you actually get your food read more

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