Fabio's: Finally, Italian food worth paying for

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There are only a few Italian restaurants that I would suggest as it's hard to justify paying $10 for 10 cents worth of pasta and a few toppings. However, Fabio's is the rare exception. When I mention it people either think it's expensive or they don't even know it's there. Since it's right on Westheimer you would think that they would ask a substantial price for their fresh homemade pastas, spot on sauces, and innovative spins on everyday Italian dishes, like the freshly prepared and vibrantly green jalapeno fettucini, but the prices are more than reasonable for any budget.

Located on the main artery of Montrose between a corner store and Number's nightclub, neighborhood yuppies and hipsters alike dine among each other at one of Fabio's 8 tables. When our family went for my sister-in-law's birthday, we took over four of the tables and tried to keep our voices down for the other diners but soon even they joined in on the chatter.

As Fabio soft steps around the room offering wine and taking orders, ask for his specials and suggestions. While I am pretty sure he is not Italian, he's a really nice guy and is proud of his menu and there are many off menu items prepared only when the ingredients are in house, like a medley of raviolis filled with a variety of cheeses, seafood, and osso bucco. For an appetizer he brought out a big platter of fried calamari, fried cheese, bruschetta, and who knows what else but I ate it, that's for sure.

I can't help but always judge an Italian restaurant by its Alfredo and Fabio's is so rich and mellow that you just can't help but make little appreciative grunts while eating it. I had it over the jalapeno fettucini they make in house and the little kick of heat paired well with the creamy sauce. I think there was chicken in it too but I could seriously fare well with just a bowl of the sauce and a loaf of their garlicky bread.

In other words: Guys, chicks will dig it and it's cheap. You're welcome.


Fabio's Italian Bar & Grill
www.fabiosbarandgrill.com
212 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006-3222
(713) 528-4212