One of the most entertaining parts of living in a vacation destination is the conversation you sometimes overhear. I’m not admitting I eavesdrop, but sometimes, in a small space, you can’t help but hear the conversation at the table next to you.
Take tonight for example. I was enjoying a plate of pasta at Gino’s and overheard one of the men at the next table proclaim the sauce on his plate to be the best Italian sauce he’s ever tasted. It reminded me that when it comes to good food, Galveston has no shortage. That especially is true when it comes to good Italian fare. I don’t know if it comes from the strong Italian population of the island, or just a happy coincidence, but whatever the reason, this little island in the Gulf of Mexico is home to some of the best Italian food I’ve ever tasted.
Everyone has a favorite when it comes to Italian food. I’m no different. I just happen to have favorites stretched from one end of town to the other, and found at Gino’s, DiBella’s and Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant. Each has a broad menu, a casual atmosphere and reasonably priced menu. I rarely deviate from a few favorites at each place, and decide where I’m going based on what I want to eat that night.
At Mario’s, I absolutely love the Pasta My Way on the menu, and my way is penne with meat sauce. There is something deliciously sweet and tangy about the sauce at Mario’s. Maybe it’s the tomatoes. Maybe it’s the meat. Maybe it’s the special way they’re combined with just the right spices and seasonings. Whatever the secret behind it is, the meat sauce at Mario’s is unique and tasty.
Granted, there are other tasty items on the menu as well, like the Italian sausage, and a host of seafood dishes I regretfully cannot try. The lasagna is a plate of bubbly cheesy goodness, and the bruschetta is definitely among the best you’ll taste. Their pizza is worthy of an entirely separate discussion, and it’s important to leave room for gelato. But sometimes just a plate of good pasta is all you need, and when I want a good plate of pasta and meat sauce, Mario’s is where I head.
Then there are nights when I want that good baked pasta and for that I turn to Gino’s. The baked ziti is a perfect blend of pasta, a rich meat sauce and oodles of cheese that when baked create a sinfully good flavor that invites overindulgence. I recently took friends from out of town there for dinner after a day of bird watching; both raved about the sauce as well.
On days when I want something a bit more luxurious, I go for the Spaghetti alla Emanuele, a combination of meat sauce, sausage and mushrooms (hold the mushrooms, please) with a splash of wine in the sauce for that extra boost of flavor. Don’t forget the garlic bread that comes with it; you’ll want that for soaking up extra sauce.
This might sound strange to people who’ve never tried it, because most people do not associate steak with Italian food. But when I want a really good steak, I look no further than DiBella’s. Nestled on a corner in a mid-island residential neighborhood, DiBella’s is like your kitchen away from home. It’s the kind of place where the staff feels like family and the food you’re served is better than your grandma’s spaghetti.
I first tried DiBella’s about 16 years ago and was hooked with the chicken parmigiana. I kept hearing people talk about the steak and I eventually abandoned the traditional idea of Italian food and tried the steak. Now, when I’m in the mood for steak, DiBella’s is my first thought. Whether you like a filet or ribeye, you’re sure to get a good cut of meat marinated and grilled to perfection. What makes it stand out from a steakhouse steak, is the marinade. The steak is served atop a pool of that deliciousness. I’ve tried and tried to figure out what’s in that sauce, but I’ve never been able to duplicate it.
For a long time I ordered the fettuccine alfredo as my pasta side – it’s a good complement to the flavor of the steak. But as I grew a little more conscious of eating healthier, I abandoned the rich cream sauce for a side of dry pasta. I know what you’re thinking – who eats dry pasta? Not me – that’s for sure. I drizzle a little of the steak sauce over the pasta and it’s a perfect meal.
Again, like Mario’s and Gino’s, you can find a host of other delectable plates on the menu: Lasagna, the DiBella, and even the simple grilled chicken. But at some point, give yourself a treat and try the steak. You’ll never again question the notion of steak in an Italian restaurant.
Like I said before, there is no shortage of good Italian food in Galveston. The hardest decision is which to choose tonight. But no matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed a memorable meal. Be sure to report back to us what your favorites are after you try out these or other Italian restaurants on the island.
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