La Vista

1936 Fountain View Dr
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 787-9899

This is a hidden gem. Well, it WAS a hidden gem. It has become quite popular, so a word to the wise, expect a wait. The great thing, however, is that this restaurant is BYOB, or "Bring Your Own Bottle". Essentially, this means you can bring your own wine into the restaurant. For a small 'corking fee' ($1) they will open your wine and provide wine glasses. Should you forget to bring any, there is a convienient liquor store next door. So you can get started on your wine while waiting, and if you run out, just pop next door.
La Vista is an amazing Italian restaurant in the Galleria area, in a strip center next to a grocery store. The food, unbelievable. I tell people all the time, don't even look at the menu, just order whatever the special is. They offer some interesting dishes to mix-up the Italian theme. One night I had filet mignon enchilladas. They have grilled beef tenderloin in a port wine, apricot and cherry sauce, grilled pork chops in a brandy broth towering atop mashed sweet potatoes, ravioli with a creamy tomato-vodka sauce, and the most amazing lasagna EVER. Plus bread made in-house.

I heart:
* their lasagna! It is the only restaurant lasagna I have ever CRAVED over & over.
* any special of the day. Anything.

-no website :(