Good service good ambience but the major complaint is the bland food. Bisque was good not great. Pasta was under seasoned with very little flavor. You should never have to use the table salt for your meals. There are so many better Italian restaurants in this city for less of the price, so it doesn't make sense to come back. read more

Great date night spot! Food was delicious. I especially loved my lemon drop martini. Service was timely. Would go back. read more

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Lunch menu has specials that are worthwhile . Delicious/nutritious tomato basil soup along with the home made bread followed by chef prepared eggplant Parmesan over capellini pasta is what I recommend. Edson provided excellent service and we will request him as our Waiter for sure. For lunch we did not require a reservation. Love the old style Italian Trattoria decor and music selections that add to this Houston Texas ambiance read more

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Went to Grotto tonight for a little date night, and it was a great choice. The ambiance is romantic and charming--definitely a solid spot if you're looking to impress or just enjoy a cozy night out. I've been a couple of times now, and the experience has been consistently good. From the moment you walk in, you're taken care of. The wait staff is super attentive, and there's always someone making sure you're good--whether it's refilling water, clearing plates, or checking in on how things are going. You can tell they work as a team, and it adds to the overall polished experience. They start you off with complimentary bread and olive oil, and honestly, that might be my favorite part. The olive oil is high quality, seasoned with Italian herbs, and the bread is always warm and fresh--simple but perfect. For appetizers, we tried the lobster bisque and the meatballs. The bisque was rich, flavorful, and comforting. The meatballs, on the other hand, were a bit of a letdown--they came out a little room temp, but the sauce on them was excellent. For our mains, we went with the Ravioli Alla Vodka and the Bucatini Amatriciana. The ravioli was creamy, rich, and full of flavor--definitely the standout dish of the night. The bucatini was just okay--not bad, but the pancetta didn't quite hit the mark for me. To end the meal, they bring out cookies, which is such a thoughtful touch and always appreciated. All in all, Grotto delivers a great experience. Some dishes shine more than others, but the atmosphere, service, and attention to detail make it a great pick--especially for a date night. Will definitely be back. read more

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Another good business dinner spot, again with my Director of HR. She started it off by ordering wine, so I probably wasn't getting fired that night... They have a decent wine list, and a small selection of wines by the glass. The crab claws scapricciatiello and calamari were excellent, the claws were like toothpicks, the 'thumb' part of the claw if you can imagine it. I ordered the veal parm, which was good, perhaps a bit too 'bashed up' since it was quite thin and didn't feel like a whole cutlet. A coworker had a dish that came with spaghetti and it looked like they forgot the sauce, just a dollop of spaghetti, so she had to ask for a sauce, "any sauce will do". Another coworker ordered one of the fish, which came with a very tiny portion, probably 3 bites would finish it off. Since it was on the company, pretty much everyone ordered dessert. My creme brulee was good, but not exactly creme brulee, the sugar shell was more like sugar crumble. Their choice to go with a dinner plate rather than a ramekin meant the shell would be ginormous, thus it'd be too hard to get a shell covering the entire area. Cheesecake was okay, less 'cheesey' and more dense than others. The two types of biscotti offered at the end was a pleasant surprise! Service was good overall, staff was friendly. There was one point where we asked for 2 minutes to decide on the main course, it was nearly 10 minutes before I decided to flag someone down to ask about ordering (the restaurant was probably 40-50% full). There is valet, but it's annoying they reserve quite a few spots just for this when it's a decent sized lot. Overall, the appetizers was solid, unfortunately I feel like I had at least one nitpick for every other dish, more an expectations-reality matter. Prices aren't crazy, but perfectly palatable for an expensed business meal, maybe enough for one with the in-laws. Not a bar-raiser, but not a pink slip either, but more a PIP. read more

Hm the verdict is out on Grotto's. It left something to be desired but I'll give it another shot. Nice bread starter. I had the business lunch with a friend and I think it just fell short on flavor. Drinks were good, though. read more

Grotto Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Stopped in for an early dinner. I've passed this place a million times and never noticed it tucked away. The lobster bisque and Rocco shrimp were amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect based on the description but it tasted even better than expected. My lobster bisque was good and had a nice amount of lobster in it. Most restaurants are skimpy on this for my drink I had their spin on a margarita I wasn't Big fan of it with the amaretto added. Service was meh he wasn't that attentive as we did have to flag him down a couple of times. read more

Grotto Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The lemoncello spritz was absolutely refreshing, so much so we had two! And I highly recommend the Eggplant Parmesan! read more

Grotto Ristorante - The lemoncello spritz was absolutely refreshing, so much so we had two! And I highly recommend the Eggplant Parmesan! - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Arrived at Grotto to have an Anniversary lunch. Free parking and valet parking available. We were greeted by a friendly smiling host who asked how we were doing, asked how many years we were married and really set the mood for a GREAT lunch experience. The waitress asked what type of water we wanted and another person bought us a basket of yummy bread and olive oil with roasted garlic. We started with the fried calamari which was delicious. We then split a beautiful Italian salad and split the lasagne plate for our entree. The waitress bought us an anniversary dessert of chocolate cake which was a treat of delicious chocolate. And then another waiter bought us a small plate with Italian biscotti. The whole lunch was a beautiful and delicious experience. Thank you Grotto restaurant!! I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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Visited for a business meeting and upon entrance the restaurant is lovely. For apps we had Meatballs, Mozzarella In Padella and Calamari Toto. Mozzarella was my favorite. I loved the Veal Kikerillo. Service was great, others were celebrating at a table nearby and the servers joined in which was nice to see. I'll definitely be returning personally. read more

Grotto Ristorante - Veal Kikerillo - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Went for Happy Hour which starts at 2pm! HH is only at bar or patio. Ordered the very yummy peach bellini which crept up on me during the second one- so beware lol. If you want to be surprised, ask the bartender what spirits are in the bellini. Also ordered the calamari which happens to be half price during HH. I did point out to the bartender that some of the bigger pieces of calamari had raw breading/coating and to let the cook know. Sadly, it was not removed from the check. I won't be ordering calamari again, but will try their crab claws. Other than that the service was good at the bar, which has purse hooks for the ladies. read more

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Unfortunately I was unpleased with my visit here and I don't know when or if I will return. The service was a debacle tonight. We asked multiple times for things and were told no. And The happy hour only applies at the bar. We asked for split checks and did not get them, then the waiter slammed the check "books" one by one as he reprinted receipts. I paid one ticket with cash and the other with my card. He charged both to my card. The bread was delicious and I would eat the lasagna again. But the chicken on my friends pasta cost her a whopping $9 for over salted, non palatable chicken! We ordered a couple of desserts to go and they took forever. Not to mention one was literally slopped into a to go container and the other was so small, it should have been a child's dessert. Overpriced and lack of customer service.... read more

My recent two visits here were both top notch involving a couple of my go-to here being the Capellini Bolognese and Lasagna. Both very delicious, highly generous in sauce n meat and juicy in feel. The meat was well-seasoned in both. The bolognese had more of a savory taste, while the lasagna had more sweetness in the sauce. The two kinds of complimentary biscotti cookies given after dinner when paying are also really tasty, js. The service on both visits was really attentive, welcoming and efficient. I need to give both the short rib gnocchi and vodka ravioli entrees as well as the chocolate cake a try on future visits. read more

The customer service here was top notch from the valet parking attendant to the wait staff. Let me just say, the bread that they give you to start with is off the chain amazing. You get some plain ones but the bread roast with the garlic taste on it, is phenomenal. Wow! We couldn't get enough. We the. Started with calamari. It was so good. Fresh and crunchy. You get more then enough for 4 people. It was so good. We loved it. Then two of us got the chicken Cesar salad and it was huge. I couldn't get over how pretty it was and it tasted as good as it looked. One of us got the meat flatbread pizza and it was so tasty and fresh. Then one of us got the lunch lasagna and wow! It looked so nice and handmade. It tasted so perfect and lots of cheese. Our waiter checked on us constantly and made sure we had plenty of drinks and refreshed the bread basket non stop. So dang good! I highly recommend this beautiful Italian gem. I really enjoyed everything and it was a great place for a nice lunch!! read more

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Happpppy Hour! Yum yum! In the mood for some yummy food!!! The Ambiance: This place is super cute inside. Great for date night or a meet up amongst friends. They even have a party room and of course happy hour. Location: Nestled in a shopping center, this restaurant is located at Westheimer and 610 across from Hotel Derek! Parking: This restaurant has valet, so quite a few spots are blocked off. If you are lucky and come early enough you can get a great spot. The Food-Canenoli: This dish was presented very well. It came with one roll, but it was fairly large, definitely a sharable. It was stuffed with chicken and spinach. It was very flavorful; however, I am a texture girl and overall this dish is not my style because of that. I was thinking chunks of chicken and sautéed spinach. Instead, it was more of a mush consistency. Everything was blended in a food processor or blender. I couldn't finish it, but my friend loved it. This is a great way to use leftover chicken, not that it is leftover chicken... but still a great way to repurpose food. The Food- Meatzza: This pizza was a classic meat lovers. I went super safe on this one! The only think I would change is the meatballs. I'm not a fan of meatballs because of the texture. This was no different with it being sliced and placed on a pizza. The Food- Cookies: We received the cutest complementary cookies. These cookies were more like tea cakes. The Service: The service was great. Our Table Host was so attentive and had some great recommendations. They have a pretty good happy hour, so I may be back to give it another try! read more

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Went for a cooking Social. It was a wonderful experience The food was magnificent The dessert chef came out and explained her dessert read more

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What a great spot for a delicious lunch or dinner. The service was terrific at this casual Italian restaurant that was a short walk from our hotel (and the Galleria). The lunch special was a great deal and the chocolate cake that is included hit the sweet spot! read more

A great restaurant experience. A nice dining experience. Prices are higher although I felt like the entrees were appropriate for the taste and quantity. The parking lot can get full as it is shared with retail stores. The servers are attentive and friendly. The location is clean inside and outside. There is a large bar inside and very open ending area. I'd recommend and will definitely be back. Note my rating system: 1 Star: I wouldn't recommend 2 Stars: Didn't hit my standards 3 Stars: Average (nothing special) 4 Stars: Above Average. Would recommend. Still looking for the 5 Star. 5 Stars: Top of their game. Great food. Great service. Would recommend and plan on returning. read more

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Three of us had Christmas eve dinner here. The food was good, the wait was a little long even though we had reservations. But overall it was a very pleasant experience. Will definitely go back. read more

I haven't been to the Galleria Grotto in years but had the pleasure of visiting for a work lunch. It was great! Nice welcome with valet opening doors, greeting and great service. We had two types of bread with the seasoned olive oil. The little salad was perfect with a light vinaigrette and a little cheese. The entrees were penne pasta and chicken Francese with veggies and potatoes. The chicken was pounded with an artichoke and mushroom topping. Everything was delicious and filling. The chocolate cake was worth the calories. And, unlike the new La Griglia, they provide the tasty tri-colored cookies and biscotti at the end at no charge. And there's plenty of free parking with a security guard watching the lot. read more

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Grotto Ristorante was the choice for a birthday celebration I attended. It is part of the Landry's massive restaurant and entertainment empire owned by Tilman Fertitta. This location is one of two and is located in the Galleria area. It's one of the more upscale Italian spots in the city. Parking is shared with other retail spots but they also have valet. Customer service is excellent here. They go above and beyond from start to finish. We came with a somewhat big group and they handled us with ease. They also put is in an area away from the crowd which was nice so we could all hear each other without yelling across the table. For the area, I felt the interior was a little more on the rustic side and not very upscale considering the prices here. They start you off with some very good complimentary bread. It's like a variety of different kinds but the garlicky one was my fave. For an app, in true Justin form, I ordered the Calamari Toto. If calamari is on the menu, odds are I'm getting it. It was a generous portion of lightly battered, well seasoned and fried calamari served with marinara. It's hard to mess up this dish and it was a good choice enjoyed by everyone. When it comes to Italian, especially if it's my first time at an Italian restaurant, I'm getting all the basics the first time so I can truly gauge if they do those well. If they mess up the easy stuff, I know I don't need to come back. For my entree, I went with the always present Parmigiana (chicken parm). It is served with capellini pasta with marinara. I like the marinara here, but I already had it with the calamari and it's always on top of chicken parm. I asked if they could do an alfredo sauce on the pasta and they happily obliged. I will say the dish was pretty good. They passed the basic execution test for future considerations from me. We were mostly too full for desserts but shared tiramisu amongst the table. Delicious. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience from start to finish. It didn't blow me out of the water, but it was good. The prices are on the higher price point, but you are paying for the ambience and the general area. I'd come back if invited. read more

It was a really nice set up. Seating of around 50 centered around a bar. I was very happy they had parking in a lot. The restaurant is located right next to a cvs. Food was pretty good! They had a lot of different options. The service was fantastic and attentive. They gave my party extra crab legs and calamari. I can see it being a good date spot. read more

I had a bit of a mixed experience here when I went for my friend's birthday dinner. We started with drinks, my friends all got peach Bellinis which they said were really good. For dinner, I got the Veal Kickerillo. The veal itself was incredible, rich but the acidity of the sauce was the perfect amount to cut through it. The sides however were quite bland and when my plate came out, the pasta was barely warm. Additionally, the wait staff was nice, but not the most attentive. If the prices were lower, I would probably give this place a 4 star but due to the higher price tag and half of the meal being just ok I'm giving it three. I would come back for the happy hour when the prices are better for what you get, but probably not for dinner again. read more

Grotto Ristorante - Veal Kikerillo - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I was celebrating my friend's birthday, and we received fantastic service and reliable consistently good food.

Food was.... Italian, but as an afterthought. My friend and I came for Houston Restaurant Week and every dish was a miss. I think the best item was the cheese bread at the beginning, but even that was a bit stale. First, the gnocchi was just alright. Not enough lobster to balance out the very starchy gnocchi. Second, the primavera pasta entree. Incredibly bland. I appreciate that they subbed grilled shrimp for me, but the dish itself had no flavor. Finally, "homemade" cherry gelato. Very very very very sweet and tastes artificial. I took one bite and put the spoon down. Interior was outdated and smells like mildew. This place needs a major upgrade, both inside and outside the kitchen. read more

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Great place for a last minute reservation for a birthday dinner. Called and grabbed a 6:30 spot on a Saturday night. Surprised how busy it was even though we snagged a same day table. Service was fantastic. Our water glasses were always full. Bread basket was filled with delicious choices to munch on while we chatted and waited for the main entrees. The olive oil and herbs are perfect for dipping. The snapper mugnaia was delicious. The snapper cooked with lemons, mushrooms and capers was so good. Served with garlic sautéed spinach and carrots, it was a great seafood choice. For pasta, my family had a penne with marinara and the pappardelle alla campagnola. Chicken, mushrooms, peas and mozzarella in a suga rosa sauce. Yum! Love the biscotti and Italian flag colored cookies. Nice to get a complimentary slice of chocolate birthday cake. Candle included. Able to use a Landry's Select birthday rewards coupon. Make sure to tip on the pre-rewards cost. Parking was easy. They also have a banquet room available for larger groups or meetings. May come back for happy hour with half priced pizzas and appetizers. read more

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Came here for a birthday celebration and the place was bustling! We made a reservation so we didn't have to wait long thankfully, because, again, lots going on in the restaurant. We sat and were greeted almost immediately with our server who jumped in and asked what we wanted, no intro to who he was or welcoming us to the restaurant. I asked his name and he gave it, and then I let him know we hadn't yet had a moment to look at the menu, if he could come back in just a few mins. Well a few mins was more like ten or so, but we waited patiently. When he finally returned, we gave him our full order because we didn't know how long it would take for him to return. The drinks took quite a while to come out, and food came out not too long after. Drinks and food was phenomenal! You could tell there's a lot of love put into the food. The dough for the pizza is made fresh, we were able to see the pizza oven from our table and every pizza that came out looked beyond amazing! The pasta I had was super delicious, a little spicy, and had a creamy vodka sauce and grilled chicken! It was just enough for me! The service is why I'm giving 4 stars, I'd almost want to do 3 but the food makes up the difference. We waited over 30 mins to get our checks, and that for me is something I really don't care for. I never want to be held hostage to a table bc I'm unable to leave when I want. I would happily go back to this place for the food, because every item on the menu looks amazing and watching all the food come out shows there's LOTS more to try! read more

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I've been to The Grotto for several celebratory occasions, including one where the host rented out both of their party rooms. The restaurant has a great, family-friendly vibe with decent food, but nothing really stands out as memorable. I did enjoy the complimentary bread, Lobster Bisque, and Caesar Salad-- though, those are pretty standard starters that should never miss the mark... read more

Haven't been to Grotto in over 20 years so we decided to give it a try and it was overall an amazing dining experience. Service: 5 star. The wait staff made us feel pampered with the level of their service. Our waiter was always attentive and even though it was a busy Saturday night, we were never ignored. Food: 5 star amazing. Tomato Basil soup was the best we have ever tasted, ever! The appetizer bread was also fresh and tasty. We had the Veal Kickerillo (fantastic) and a Branzino dish with Primavera Fettucini. Kids had a margherita pizza, which was beautiful and tasty. Everything tasted divine. Finished off with a Strawberry Gelato which is house-made. Overall just a perfect dining experience! We will be back. read more

Grotto's upscale vibes has made it one of the more popular Italian options near the Galleria, which is no small feat for one of the city's most active hoods. Part of Inspired by the old world Italian vibes, I liken the chain (#1) to be a fancier version of Olive Garden with food that hits average at best. While I think the ones in Vegas and AC get the most shine (#2), I don't think anyone goes to a Grotto without first noticing the decor. There's a bit of a California feel on the outside, complete with semi-contemporary undertones, high ceilings, and a nice outdoor patio. Parking isn't an issue, but that's to be expected. The food is a little underwhelming, at least for me. I'm always on the search for anything a la vodka and their penne a la vodka ($20) was solid but didn't merit the $20 price point. The pappardelle bolognese ($21) was on point, but the portion left a little bit to be desired. Anything vongole ($22) is a treat, but the linguine version was a tad on the blander side. Pizzas are a hard sell for me (#3) and the ones here are no exception. I like the margherita ($18) as a starting off point, but I felt the chewiness of the dough and the semi-rawness of the sliced tomatoes. The meatzza ($20) is more or less the same, except the disappointing crust is more tolerable with masquerading (and piling) of the various meats (sausage, pancetta, pepperoni, meatballs). A cauliflower crust is available for an extra $3. The other entrees are not much better. Their salmon griglia ($30) was probably the dish I enjoyed most, followed by the sea bass ($39). I was very disappointed with the veal parm ($28) but I had a feeling given how everything else has tasted so far. Hats go off to the staff for being excellent all around. They are courteous, polite, and patient. I also appreciate the complimentary biscotti at the end of the meal and think they were probably the highlight of my experiences here. Lastly, I think the 10% takeout fee is kind of ridiculous. I'm not sure if this was something implemented prior to the pandemic, but I would generally recommend for people to consider dining in over takeout. It's an ideal place for a lunch / dinner date and a reasonably laid back experience overall. ____________ (#1) Landry's Hospitality. Based here in good ol Houston. (#2) Literally and figuratively. (#3) At least here in Texas. read more

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This might be the best pasta I've ever had, and I've been to Italy multiple times. I came in a Sunday evening and had a reservation for 2. Our table was in the back corner and the decor left a bit to be desired. They bring an assorted bread basket with a yummy seasoned olive oil. My friend started with the lobster bisque which I did not like but she did. I had the Pescatore and asked for it with a garlic wine sauce and I personally think that's the only way they should serve it. It had a healthy helping of all the seafood and was sooooo good! They also give you a rainbow cookie and biscotti at the end of your meal. The service was attentive and prices reasonable. I'll be back! read more

Grotto Ristorante - Pescatore with garlic instead of tomato sauce - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

We haven't been back to the Grotto in way too long, it was as fantastic as ever. The pasta was amazing and the atmosphere and service was perfect as always. read more

Such an amazing experience! Food tastes authentic and flavorful. Service is super polite and fast. The inside is very beautiful with an artistic wallpaper. The lighting is comfortable as well. Great for a dinner with company. (They give complementary cookies that are amazing!) read more

Grotto Ristorante - Strawberry Cassata - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Omg. Love service en food my attendant server Teodoro Quevedo Always server executives and staff members never know when the food is ready and service will always love server know him fir many years executive service read more

Grotto Ristorante - Him the best server him attention Frist one recommended always - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

I came to this location on my birthday for dinner. We made a reservation at the Westheimer location but it was on a Wednesday, so it wasn't super crowded. The food was really delicious, the drinks were great, and even the bread and oil they brought to the table was delicious. I'd definitely come back. Our service was great too, and I appreciated how they sang the Happy Birthday song. 10/10 recommend read more

I was surprised this place was actually very good. Three people really enjoyed everything we ordered. The chocolate cake for desert was great too. Service was very nice. read more

This restaurant was very disappointing. I came with a party of 7 on a Friday night and the service and food was subpar FOOD: -Vongole: I was really excited about this dish because I typically like simple sauces and clam. This was incredibly underwhelming and way too greasy. They somehow made this with too much butter but yet lacking in a lot of taste. -Pear Carpaccio Salad: typically when I order pear carpaccio salad, I'd expect a pear salad with carpaccio slices. However, they said that it was just pear cut up in slices like it would carpaccio (?) so I went ahead and added salmon. The salad itself was $14 but the additional salmon was an additional $14! I was so disappointed because the salmon itself was tasteless and so small. SERVICE: The service was incredibly slow. We had to flag down multiple waiters to get our bill. CLEANLINESS: This restaurant was very clean and our table was constant being cleaned. AMBIENCE: This restaurant was designed with south Italian murals and decor. It's definitely cute but a bit outdated. It wasn't a big deal but it felt like an Olive Garden. read more

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We decided And planned to go to dinner on Sat and 6pm. But we also wanted an upscale Italian meal. We like Carrabbas and also Macaroni Grille so we were told that Grottos was also very good. Checked out the menu on their website and saw a lot of choices from pasta to seafood and in between. We also decided to use their website to make a reservation for 6:15pm and they use open table and it worked perfect. Arrived at location and the parking lot is a shared lot with some spaces assigned to each business but some where closed so maybe once closed the assigned spots can be used, not sure just guessing. But we found parking in open spots without any issue and Walking up to Grottos has a lot of curb appeal and fancy cars parked out front which gives a bit of upscale feel but this is also the galleria area, so. Once inside the place looked great and has a lot of painting and decorations. Very very nice looking. we arrived at 5:45pm. But did not have to wait, they greeted us right away and took us to our table. Service was great as they had plenty of staff from waiters to buss staff. We were greeted promptly and told the specials and our order was taken shortly after. I ordered the Pescatore and my date ordered the ravioli allá vodka both dishes were awesome with great portions and flavors. Both are a must try!! We will be back for sure.... Side note they are owned and part of the Landry's loyalty program. So if you are a member your rewards can be used and also points gained. read more

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We are such fans of Grotto and every time our meal is delicious . Service is 5 star and love the ambiance . Last night , went last minute and the place was pretty empty. The hostess put us right by a very noisy large table of 20 when the entire restaurant was pretty empty. Ordered some of our favorites . The awesome complimentary seasoned bread sticks were tonight just burnt crusts of pizza with no flavor . Our dishes with chicken were so disgusting and chicken was inedible . Like it had been flashed defrosted . Could not even chew it . The only good thing was the house salad. When they brought our biscotti , it was so hard, you could break a tooth . No upsetting and we did not want to insult our very nice waiter , however doubtful we will ever go back . Guess most hoping it was just a glitch . But will never be the person to recommend Grottos. read more

This was an awesome experience with a great atmosphere and delicious food. The service was excellent. Will definitely return to try other dishes!! read more

Grotto Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas