LOCAL Houston | The City Guide JULY 2016 | Page 19

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE Rice, Mussels & Potatoes SAMPLE MENU FRITTATA DI VERDURE Roasted eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash and asparagus served with fresh fruit $10 AL GRANCHIO Jumbo lump crab meat, heart of lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes with a roasted bell pepper dressing $16 RIGATONI ALLA NORMA Rigatoni tossed in a tomato stew sauce with diced eggplant and ricotta salata with a light marinara $12 SALMONE AFFUMICATO Homemade smoked salmon and fresh asparagus with a dill caper dressing $15 STROZZAPRETI ALLA SCOGLIO Strozzapreti pasta tossed with calamari and garlic $16 ZUPPA DI MARE Homeade stew of clams, mussels, calamari, red snapper, vegetables and fresh herbs in a light tomato broth $26 BRANZINO AL FORNO Whole Mediterranean sea bass oven roasted and carved table-side $39 Octopus Carpaccio Our mains were impressive: U-8 scallops at least four inches in diameter, and tasting as fresh as if they’ve been lifted out of the ocean the day before. A whole roasted branzino caught that day and served tableside with the bones carefully removed by our server, was also of the highest quality. But what most captured the spirit of Sud Italia was Puglian dish of Rizzo, Patate e Cozze (rice, potatoes and mussels), a hometown speciality by chef Sandro Scarafile. Served in a cast iron skillet, it was something you’d picture coming out of the kitchen of an Italian coastal town – hearty and delicious. In Italy, dining is a relaxing, drawn out affair that lasts several hours, something that Scott and his wife really enjoyed during their many travels there. This is the experience they make sure you have when you visit their restaurant, right down to the delectable house-made tiramisu you can’t help but finish, and Scott’s strongly sweet limoncello, which invites you to linger beyond the natural conclusion of your meal. Limoncello By Mai Pham Photography by Sarah Miller SUD ITALIA RISTORANTE 2347 University Blvd. | Houston, TX 77005 | 713.664.7571 | www.sud-italia.com | [email protected] Mon–Fri Lunch: 11am–3pm | Mon–Fri Dinner: 5–10pm | Sat Brunch: 11am–4pm | Sat Dinner: 4–10pm | Sun: Closed july 16 | L O C A L 19