Piattello, 61 Osteria, Caterina’s? What’s the best Italian restaurant in Fort Worth?

Bud Kennedy
·1 min read

Best Italian restaurant: It’s a tossup

Hey, Bud! What’s the best Italian restaurant in town?

—Caller to 817-390-7538

Tough call. Nothing stands out.

Piattello and 61 Osteria are contemporary and beautiful. Caterina’s is classy. Il Modo downtown has an excellent all-around menu.

Piccolo Mondo in Arlington is the beloved and beautiful old-guard favorite with pastas and a pianist.

Readers are devoted to their own neighborhood favorites like Piola, Aventino’s, Nonna Tata, Mancuso’s and Cafe Bella.

Lobster ravioli at Piattello Italian Kitchen.
Lobster ravioli at Piattello Italian Kitchen.

Not the time to start an Italian cafe

Hey, Bud! If you were going to open an upscale Italian restaurant and then expand, where would be the best place to start? I’m thinking [Romano’s] Macaroni Grill.

—Message to facebook.com/diningguy

Nowhere. Italian restaurants are in a slump.

Customers want cheap delivery pizzas or wood-fired pizzas, pastas and seafood with craft cocktails.

The reopening of 1950s retro Margie’s Italian Gardens west of Loop 820 will be a highlight. But otherwise this is not the time to start a new Brio or Johnny Carino’s.

Margie’s still had its 1953 look and appeal.
Margie’s still had its 1953 look and appeal.