I brought my mom here tonight for her birthday and it was perfect in every way from start to finish. Our server was attentive and answered every question we could think to ask. We ordered from the HRW menu, everything was beyond expectation. We had octopus and scallops for appetizers, bronzino and filet for our entree, and two desserts that were to die for. I enjoyed my old fashioned, the wine list was impressive but I didn't order any tonight. The support staff was great, super attentive when we needed them and elusive when we wanted to eat and visit. I hope I have an excuse to visit here again soon! read more

One of the best restaurants in town. All the plates are 12 out of 10. Had the pork belly (appetizer), truffle pasta (to die for) , lamb chops and chocolate cake. The best part was our server Max. He made our experience incredible. Thank you potente!!! read more

Potente - Dessert yum - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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LITERALLY THE BEST truffle tasting thing you'll EVER put in your mouth is located at a restaurant owned by the 'Stros owner, across Minute Maid Stadium. Yes, the truffle pasta dish is a splurge but no regrets and will come back for it again. TREAT YOSELF. Charred octopus app is killer as well. If I remember right, cocktails are $13+ Ambience is classy and chic, good vibes with the music- not your typical white table cloth Italian restaurant. Great place to celebrate something special. read more

This review may be somewhat unfair, as I dined there as part of a food & wine group with a set menu. We were in an L-shaped room on the corner of Texas and Crawford; the room was rather barren, unlike the main restaurant itself, which is beautifully decorated. We were served hors d'oeuvres of raw tuna and truffled arancini, both of which were delicious, and a third which I cannot recall, but it did not make an impression. (Only the arancini had Italian influences.) The meal itself started with a delicious branzino. The second course was a quail breast stuffed with mushroom (the only thing Italian about this dish was that it was presented on the menu as "Quaglia"). The third course was veal cheeks, which I personally found a bit salty, but I prefer under-salted foods. Presentation was very nice on this dish, and other than the salt, it was very good. Our dessert was a chocolate half-dome covered with a semi-sweet chocolate syrup--far too much chocolate for me! Other than the Italian meals and the arancini, I would never have surmised that this was supposed to be an Italian restaurant. The food is decent, but not as good as a number of other restaurants in the city. read more

Upscale restaurant in downtown known for their over the top decor and finishings. I love the ambiance and the service was impeccable Ordered the truffle spaghetti 4/5: intense truffle flavor, freshly shaved slices of truffle with a light hint of cheese over an al denote pasta. My only gripe is that the portion size is soooo small. I know you're paying for the truffles but would it kill them to add some extra noodles?? Sea bass 2/5: completely different from Chilean sea bass, this was a Mediterranean Sea bass which was served whole (minus the head) but tasted like it could be any sort of white fish. It also didn't taste very fresh. The meat was a bit soft and had a mild fishy flavor. Was not very impressed. Would rather spend my 40 bucks at pappadeaux for actual Chilean sea bass Dream cake 3/5 The cake portion was dry... overall the flavor was good and not too sweet Glad I got to try it. It's a bit ostentatious and food quality was just mediocre imo and portion size too small, probably won't be back. read more

Very low key spot with a filling Happy Hour! Service was as excellent as the food was. read more

Potente - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Just wow! We have been to Potente a number of times including Restaurant Weeks. This is where you go when you want a really fine dinning experience. We decided to venture out in the New Normal of COVID to celebrate out anniversary. We did make a reservation. Although Valet parking is back open, since most things were still closed we were able to park literally in front of the restaurant. They are clearly following all the recommendations (masks, limited seating, etc). Even with his mask Rinaldo, our waiter, was excellent. All service was great - as usual. My wife got a glass of wine and I got the Potente Gold. Not sure if they were happy to see us but both were vert generous drinks. We started off with the Sedano salad and the Politpetti (squid). Well seasoned and delicious. I had the ravioli and my wife had the branzino. Both were amazing. We are small eaters and my wife never finishes all her food. But we cleaned our plates. The ravioli were light puffy cakes of cheesy goodness. We then closed with some espresso and and the delizia al ciccollato (a decadent like chocolate cake). And to help us celebrate they then gave us some amaretto milkshake shooters on a decorated picture (see picture). As a final gesture they gave us copies of the nights menu (being covid safe!) with the chef signature. It made for a perfect celebration. read more

Been here several times, food is always amazing , the 3 stars is for the service as I feel it was below par

Absolutely amazing! The Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero was incredible. The Italian black truffle is shaved table side onto house made fresh pasta. The scallops and the crab appetizer were also delicious, but the pasta was by far the best. The service and atmosphere were great as well, making our meal a divine experience. I look forward to coming back very soon! read more

Potente - Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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If you want to eat some good Italian food this is the place to come. The truffle pasta is amazing, even better than Tony's. The seafood selection is amazing and all the selections are delicious. read more

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The food was so good. We went first weekend of Houston restaurant week. They gave a full serving of the cacio pepe with a lot of black ruffle shaved on top. Def worth it. Everything else was really tasty too. I got the passion fruit sorbet with pineapple and we got the Choco dome which was sooo good and had a caramel center. He service was really good and the value was super awesome for restaurant week. We had a perfect amount of food. My boyfriend also got a 90$ 1/2oz of Louis 13 cognac read more

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This restaurant was worth the price!! All of the food was delicious and the service was impeccable. We did not know what to expect about the portion size but we left full. This is definitely a place to celebrate birthdays or special events. The ambiance is classy but there is also a bar on the other side of the restaurant that plays very modern music. The bathrooms were very clean and well kept. Highly recommend. read more

This place has amazing dishes that put an American spin on Italian style cooking. I would highly recommend the scallop over sweet corn risotto. The scallop was seared very well giving it a crisp exterior and a silky texture inside which was all balanced well with the sweetness from the corn and sharpness of cheese in the risotto. The truffle pasta had an amazing flavor that is fairly indescribable, and was truly delicious however the pasta was too al denté and slightly grainy. The dessert is very good as well, but I would recommend the cheesecake over the pistachio cake since the pistachio flavor was slightly artificial. The service here was very good, and the food came out quickly! read more

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Great food and service in the dining area but lacking just about everything in the bar area. Our family arrived on Friday around 6:30pm to grab drinks at the bar before our dinner. We stood at the bar for 15 minutes watching 2 bartenders serving other customers before we were even acknowledged. I understanding staffing migth be a challenge during these times but acknowledging your guests takes two seconds and would really help set the tone of the whole experience. I ordered a Vesper but tasted a bit too sweet from the classic- perhaps too much lillet. Service at the bar was not enjoyable and I wouldn't recommend that to anyone. Dinner experience was a little more enjoyable as our server was hospitable and knowledgable about ingredients in the menu items. Everything we ordered was delicious and was a 4/5. The only concer was that it doesn't look like the 50% capacity restriction was followed as every table were filled. The tables might be 6 ft apart but when the chairs were back to back to other parties. read more

Can't wait to return with more time and enjoy the other pasta options. Their homemade pasta is very good quality ! read more

Potente - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The overall service and food was pretty up there for this venue. I had the fruiti di mare (fish stew) and considering we were in Houston it was pretty delicious. I'm not a good judge on mussels but everything seemed good including the cook on the red snapper. The downside is for the price I would have hoped the food was a little more substantial. I'll admit I'm a bit of a glutton at times, but when I wake up at 5am from hunger pains, you know something's up ;-) read more

Very very nice atmosphere kinda like a romantic dinner settings very good service very polite and food is good but the prices are very high and portions size are very small. If I went again it be more the atmosphere and service cause food price you could get better food at better prices somewhere else isn't that flavor-able think my friends cook better spices read more

Potente - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Perfect for an intimate dining experience where the noise level isn't obnoxious, like most local restaurants. Our selections were beautifully plated and delicious. The service was perfect. Looking forward to dining here again soon. read more

We had an amazing dinner here before the Billy Joel concert! Food and drinks were excellent

Caveat, I had a free meal here. The space is beautiful, they do offer valet if you dont care to find parking in downtown near minute maid. Their menus have that wow factor in that they are illuminated, no need to bust out your camera phone due to poor lighting in the restaurant. Decor was fancy and modern, service was good. The food: I had the filet, apple dessert, and salad. The quality of the ingredients was apparent. Would love to try their home made pastas and truffles. Food was good, space was good. Worth a try for sure if you are willing to deal with the headache known as downtown. Would say this place deserves a 1 star michelin based on my experiences. with food, decor, service all are good. Prices are on par with 1 star restaurants. read more

Black truffle pasta is AMAZING! Service was fabulous. Atmosphere very nice. The food was all very good. Definitely more of a special occasion price range for budget minded people but really really good! read more

Ambience and service was great. Caviar was amazingly good! I really enjoyed having dinner with my friends here. Thank you!

If you value pretentiousness, this is the place for you. The quality of the food is good, but the portion size is ridiculously small. An entree is the size of a small (very small) appetizer or part of a tasting menu at any other Italian restaurant I've visited in Houston. For those tiny portions, expect to pay astronomical prices. The atmosphere and service are good, but Potente doesn't stand above all of its competitors. It's one of the worst values I've experienced in Houston. One more thing -- parking is horrendous if the Astros are playing. read more

Ah-ma-zing. Food and service were simply fabulous. The pasta was cooked perfectly, my husband was practically licking his short ribs plate, and the tiramisu was so well done. Any dessert that hatched from a chocolate shell is a winner. We will definitely be back! read more

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Potente described in one word, "masterpiece." If you're looking for a centrally located gem, in downtown Houston, Potente should be added to your list.. the TOP of it. I visited last night for a private, business dinner in their wine room. It was nothing less than perfect. We received AMAZING service from Renee and his team, as well as warm greeting from co-Owner Bill Floyd. Potente's menu consists of some of the most delicious Italian fare & seafood. Though I am not a HUGE fan of pasta, I can always find something on their menu that pleases the palate. They also have tasty options for you Vegans and Vegetarians! Dishes you've gotta try: Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero CACIO PEPE, BLACK TRUFFLES SHAVED TABLE SIDE Burrata Caprese TEXAS TOMATO, PUGLIA'S CHEESE, BASIL BLOSSOM, CUCUMBER TEA Carpaccio di Manzo STRUBE RANCH WAGYU, BLACK GARLIC BALSAMIC, SUNCHOKE RELISH, PICKLED CHANTERELLE Granchio Ripieno - This is a seasonal item. Check with your server. CRISPY SOFTSHELL CRAB STUFFED WITH JUMBO LUMP CRAB, PEARL COUSCOUS, TEXAS TOMATO, SALSA VERGE AIOLI CRÈME BRÛLÉE APPLE GALETTE HAZELNUT GELATO & SALTED CARAMEL Notes: This is a great place for small private meetings, romantic dinners, and Happy hour (5-7p) Street parking is available as well as $8 valet. read more

Just had one of the best dining experiences I've ever had at Potente. I'm on the Whole30 and had to dine there for a business dinner, and they could not have been more patient and accommodating about my dietary restrictions. I had the Branzino sea bass (sans beans) - the fish was perfect and the sauce was to die for. Some of the best fish I've ever had. They also accommodated a late guest we had perfectly, and had the plate ready right as he was seated. I was able to thank Executive Chef Danny Trace on my way out (and apologize for my ridiculous requests), and he was incredibly gracious and kind. 100% will go back!! Highly recommend. read more

Was a great experience. We had a great service and the food was prepared perfectly. The lamb was some of the best I have ever had. The truffle spaghetti was the star of the night. Wine list was good. They have one sommelier on staff that we were aware of. We had a great bottle of Italian wine recommended by the server. We will be going back after an Astros game in the future. Highly recommend. read more

Potente - Chocolate with hibiscus sauce. - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

A friend and I went here after being inside for months. We heard they were doing a good job of social distancing, sanitizing, etc. In any event, we had a fantastic experience and will definitely be returning when things get better. Until then, I will be taking advantage of their curbside pick-up bc the food was amazing. I had the branzino which was perfection. Truly. I would have that 7 days a week of I could. The burrata appetizer was a fave. I forgot how much I loved it and went right out to buy some the very next day. The hummus was divine and the drinks were fabulous. The dessert were great and light, I didn't feel stuffed to death afterwards which I loved. The service was great. The waiter was attentive but not overbearing, very helpful with any questions we had and they all wore masks and gloves, etc. All in all, it was a great experience and I can't wait to return. And management wished us well on the way out, which we also thought was a nice touch. read more

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This hits the top levels of taste, service and physical design. The restaurant area is tasteful and you can hear the people at your table. The bar scene is glitzy trendy and hip The location across the street from Minute Maid stadium makes it a good place to fuel up before a game or tune up after a gain. It's pricey- maybe that's why I gave it four instead of five but my red snapper was amazing and well served. Nice touch is the menus light up when you open them. read more

Amazing food, amazing ambiance, amazing service. One of the best place for great Italian food. Love love love our waiter Cameron. He was very knowledgeable about the food and gave great advice. Definitely will be back for more. The spaghetti was my all time favorite. A must try. read more

Impeccable service and great spaghetti al tarfuro nero - perfectly cooked, incredibly creamy and very generous slices of truffles shaved at the table. Another highlight of dinner was definitely the foie gras padella and amaretto creme brulee. Frutti de mare was absolutely prepared with fresh and quality ingredients, generous in portion but nothing to write home about. Sphera dolce is a little fun dessert for little ones but I have had better chocolate dessert elsewhere. Great dining experience, amazing food but not incredibly creative, great for special occasions or date nights. read more

My husband and I had a great dinner until a few hours later when we both got sick. Think it was the oysters. So be very wary! What was also very disappointing was when I called and talked to the manager about it the next day his attitude was indifferent at best. Definitely not going to return to this restaurant and no positive recommendation... unless you want to get very sick. read more

Fantastic restaurant. The food was absolutely delectable. Kristine was the most professional, helpful, and friendly waiter we've had in a long time. We had such a nice evening. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

We had a HUGE$ mixup with the truffle pasta. Our server completely neglected to let us know after he mentioned how lucky we were it was white truffle season that the upcharge of the $42 pasta was $100. When we got our bill we were shocked. Needless to say the manager acted of total class and took care of it. Not to mention, the food was fabulous. Damper on the evening but quickly turned around by great service. read more

The food was amazing! Service was excellent. The bartender Max was a sweetheart and made wonderful drinks. Loved the decor. Great place to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary. read more

Beautiful restaurant and atmosphere! Burrata Caprese (4/5) Cacio E Pepe (5/5)- This is their signature dish for a reason!! So delicious!! read more

One of THE BEST dining experiences I've had in Houston. My friends and I came for HRW and it was totally worth the $45. The waiter was very attentive and had great table side manner. He was also very friendly and checked up on us without being too pushy or intrusive. The manager was walking around and was also just as attentive. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but I just wanted to note that the staff here didn't treat us any different because we ordered from the HRW menu. Now the food. I tried to savor every bite. I got the burrata caprese, the filet steak, and the apple galette. All were spot on. I honestly have no complaints about this place. I will definitely come back to try their regular menu during a splurge night. read more

Everything was so delicious! We did the 3 course meal from the HRW menu. The Mais corn starter was amazing, and the fillet was so tender and flavorful. Service was great too. Can not find one thing that I didn't like about this place... read more

Highly recommend the OSTRICHE GRATINATE starter. Luxury atmosphere. We never had to lift a finger. Truly an elegant dining experience. We will be back. read more

Potente - SPAGHETTI AL TARTUFO NERO - Italian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Unbelievable food and experience. Probably the best dinner I've ever had. Crab appetizer (don't remember the name) was to die for, strip steak the best I've ever had, truffle pasta tableside. Need I say more? Thank you for bringing us an incredible experience and one not to forget. read more