A true hidden gem in Katy TX, across the street from the Senior Center on 5th Street. The owner and chief, Peppino Veleze was raised in Sicily, Italy. His grandmother taught him to cook. The food he prepares is exceptional! Do order a salad or appetizer to savor while Peppino is preparing your meals. All meals are individually prepared when ordered, hand crafted with love - the only way to prepare fine food! He truly provides a feast for your Palate! Be sure to try any of the Veal dishes especially the Veal Siciliano which is a special order item. Do bring your own bottle of wine to savor with the meal. Do not be put off by the rather plain exterior as the décor inside is traditional Italian. You are treated like family which only adds to the overall experience. If you love Italian food, do make it a habit to dine there often! We do. Buon Appetito!! read more

Other than a minor mishap with one dish, this was our usual solid Italian meal in a sweet little place. I would point out to the negative reviews that it is QUITE customary for a restaurant to charge a service fee to serve cake or wine brought from outside. read more

What a horrible experience. Double billed on tip, charged $2/a person to bring a birthday cake in. Times 11, that was a $22 dollar birthday cake. Staff argued with customers and claimed had to charge extra as they put table clothes on the tables. I'm so embarrassed for them. Half a mind to stop by every day for a week to give them twenty dollars as they apparently need it more than I do. Can't believe people will try to cheat and dare you to question it. Menu prices were different than that posted on the bill. It's a shame. The food was good! read more

This place had amazing food. The staff was great. And it had a cozy atmosphere. Even my teen child enjoy it. We will be going back. read more

First time I ever left an Italian restaurant still hungry. A very cozy restaurant with a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately that's where it ends. We entered the restaurant and a lady walked by us three times. She glanced at us once, but never smiled or said welcome or I'll be with you in a minute. After standing there a few minutes a younger guy came up, no smile, no welcome, just asked "two?" We answered yes and he grabbed two menus and started walking. I had to nudge my wife to follow him because she wasn't sure if we were supposed to. They had a board at the front that had their specials, but no prices. The menu is very sparse, not much choice but I guess that's why they had quite a few specials on the chalk board up front. They brought us 4 slices of bread that weren't bad, but they were small pieces so a few more would have been nice. I ordered a tea and my wife just had water. He brought the tea which was unsweetened and there are no condiments on the table like sugar or sweetener so I just drank it unsweetened which was okay. I had to flag down someone to get a refill and they asked me if I wanted sweetened unsweetened and I was like I didn't know you had sweetened so yea, sweetened but she brought unsweetened again. We ordered a salad $8.99 that we shared. It was okay but again, not much for nine bucks. I ordered the lobster ravioli off the specials board and my wife ordered spaghetti carbonara off the menu. The spaghetti came with nothing but spaghetti and sauce. That's it. Again, small portions (my wife is 5'0'and weighs 110lbs) and she finished her plate and was still hungry. She said the meal lacked flavor, and there's no salt or pepper on the tables. The lobster ravioli was okay though, although half of them didn't have lobster that I could tell. They came with grilled shrimp on top but the shrimp was a little too raw for me so I didn't eat them. I did take a few bites out of a couple of them to see if any were cooked but they were all gooey raw. As I said, the ravioli was okay flavor wise, but small portions so I finished my meal but was still hungry. Then I found out the price when they brought the bill. $34.99! In the end the bill came out to $90 something and we were both still hungry. We ended up going home and having captain crunch (the ones with the little colored balls mixed in) so the evening was saved. -FIN- read more

La Estancia - a receipt for a restaurant - Italian Near Me - Katy, Texas

I had my first meal here on NYE. The good: the atmosphere, decoration of the restaurant, food, and friendliness of the employees. Not great: sitting around for long periods of time without being attended to. We were there in a party of 6. For an appetizer we had fried calamari (which was a little tough), house salads (delicious- that dressing!), and Caesar salads (delicious). For entrees we had shrimp Alfredo (delicious and not too heavy), salmon piccata (delicious), gnocchi special (delicious), and angel hair pasta with pink sauce and shrimp (delicious). For dessert we had cannolis (good) and tiramisu (okay). I would definitely come back! read more

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I disagree with the rave reviews about this place. It has potential to become a hidden gem, really. It just isn't there yet. As everyone says, the parking lot is worryingly empty. I joked that the car outside must be the owner's and it turns out I was correct. We were the only souls dining that night until a party of four joined on the other side of the room. The man I assume to be the owner took our order as well as cooked our food after explaining to us they do not sell wine, but jokingly invited us to visit the corner store to bring some back to the table. All jokes aside, we could have in the time it took for our entrees to come out, but that isn't what I am mad at. It's the food. We started with the fried ravioli. The pasta is too thick and gummy, and the inside filling was overcooked and flavorless. It was like chewing on gum that was dropped in the dirt. Dad thinks it was frozen. Their garlic bread is seasoned well, but the bread itself must not be made on site. They serve it with their marinara, which I will talk about in a minute. My Dad and my boyfriend got Cokes to drink, served in unopened plastic bottles they had to pour themselves. My Dad wanted me to include, "I understand if they don't want to fuss over getting the mix right on a fountain machine, but at least pour my drink behind the counter for me." So here's the skinny. I got chicken Parmesan with Alfredo pasta (I wanted to try their Alfredo and their marinara), my love got a shrimp pasta dish, and Dad got eggplant Parmesan. The cook is good on these dishes, don't get me wrong. The eggplant melts in your mouth and isn't rubbery or slimy in the slightest. My chicken was hot and crispy. The shrimp was cooked well and seasoned well. But besides the shrimp, everything is bland. And to me, the foundation of their issues begins with their red sauce. It is bland and flavorless. The sauce is split, causing the oil to separate and float apart from the tomatoes. It just isn't good eats, and they serve it with their lackluster garlic bread and most of their entrees. Along with that, they're shy on the salt shaker and it's a big disappointment, because Chef knows how to cook. If I am being real, I believe it's all due to the clientele in proximity to the restaurant. You have a church, a senior citizens' convention venue, and older homes. My guess is their biggest rushes happen after church and bingo. And those are the palates they must cater to, which is a shame. We will stick with Antonia's, even though I hate that location. read more

La Estancia - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Katy, Texas

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a birthday party for elderly people who came last night. these people are all over 85 years old. they took the birthday cake. everyone ordered a full meal. you charged them $2.00 each to eat their own cake. then added gratuity for a meal that wasn't brought at the same time. you can be assured of one thing. not one of us will ever come back read more

This place is GREAT! The best thing is that you get to bring your own alcohol so that really cuts down on your bill!!! You must like authentic Italian food, not chain restaurants type food. If you prefer "tex-italian" then this place isn't for you. The staff is always nice and accommodating. Quant and quiet so you can enjoy your company. Enjoy! read more

Atmosphere is good it gives date night vibes buried in old town Katy. Dark candle lit room. Meals do not come with a salad They don't inform you of this when they ask and the salads are $9. Salad is extra but they don't tell you that. Food is okay read more

This is a fantastic Italian restaurant deep in the heart of katy!! We went for the first time with some friends and everyone had a great time!!! Food was spectacular and the service was amazing!! We'll definitely be going back!!! read more

Food was excellent. Service was also great. Worth a visit. Opens after 5pm till 9pm. Friday and Saturday closes at 10. Closed Sundays.

We spend a lot of money on fine dining to include Michelin star restaurants and some of the best reviewed restaurants in Houston... La Estancia is on point and better than most. Small, hidden, and off the radar of most foodies search, that said, the dishes are off the chart. Reason for the review...food is love, and love is sharing! I like to squirrel away my best eats, but this one must be shared. It's down home Italian cooking with the execution of Theodor Rex, DEGUST, and some of the best James Beard's award restaurants in Houston. The Chef's been cooking Italian food for 34 years and his wife's runs the dining room. Restaurant is hidden away in a Katy neighborhood rustic qualification. A hidden gem or hole in the wall...but the experience is about the food...and it delivers! The Picante Snapper is one of the all time 5 fish dishes ever... and we lived all over the world to include Singapore, Europe. The star dish of the night was the home made lobster ravioli and is one of the best Italian dishes... ever! Home made tiramisu, Italian ice cream and cannoli was on point with tiramisu being one of the best all time. In reading some of the previous reviews, I don't get it. If your idea of Italian food is an excellent meal Olive Garden, this might not be your place. If you're looking for an Italian experience, this little hidden gem delivered. Thanks for reading and good eats! read more

Run don't walk to this hidden gem in old Katy. Outstanding basic old school Italian. They are not open for lunch, only dinner. It is BYOB wine. Don't let the outside fool you. Looks kinda like a typical Mexican restaurant. Great Italian food in a odd area of Katy. Everyone south of I10 venture into old Katy and have a very pleasant surprise. Family owned and operated . Don't be in a hurry and enjoy some wine while you wait. read more

Great food service I recommend 100% Good ambiance Good parking They should opening frequently read more

Food was very good . Pasta is Al dente, fresh and tasty , red sauce is great . Snapper piccata was very good , dressed with shrimp . Salads have an nice spice Dessert was great . Cannoli was smooth creamy not too sweet Service was great , efficient, polite , on task , quick. The ambiance is good. It's candle light and not everyday chain decor. The music in the tv with Italian opera was actually really neat to watch . It's not cheap , but price is fair for food quality . Cannoli Caesar Salads Hidden Jewel Snapper Piccata Veal Parmigiana Spaghetti and Meatballs It's nice , not a chain, tucked away . Tortilenni Unique menu items Amore read more

Y'all - Shockingly amazing! From scratch lobster ravioli and snapper were the specials tonight - so hard to decide but went with the fresh snapper filet with shrimp and an amazing sauce! The side of pasta was Yum!!!!! You should definitely try!!!! read more

Great, authentic Italian! Quaint little eatery tucked away on 5th street in Old Katy, owned by a husband and wife duo who are also the cooks. The food here is super flavorful, and the house salad is the best I've ever had (homemade dressing is divine!). Loved the chicken parm and fried calamari! Decent portions and fair prices! Just know it's BYOB, so if you want wine or other alcohol with your meal, make sure you bring your own. read more

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Frozen, reheated food is not good food that you'd pay money for at a restaurant. How is this place still open is beyond me. It's dirty, always empty and the food is below par. read more

La Estancia - Roach in salad - Italian Near Me - Katy, Texas

We have been here twice and absolutely have enjoyed it both times. An elegant at home dinner feel in the restaurant. Gnocchi is delicious, as is the Red Snapper Special. Everyone loved the meals but these two were not just great but amazing! Highly recommend you try them. Also BYOB. A great pace to come when wanting to enjoy a nice relaxing meal. All made fresh so you'll want to come when you have time to enjoy and aren't in a rush. The staff is very friendly and helpful if you have a hard time on deciding. You must order the Gnocchi app and dip your bread in it. I would make it a meal if I could. read more

The food is over-the-top amazing and popping with flavor! The pacing of the service is intended for those who enjoy prepared by hand fresh food and time to enjoy each course. We visit this restaurant usually every month to get our "fix" for REAL Italian food and love that when we come we are sometimes the only couple in the nicely decorated eatery. It really is the best kept secret in Katy! I recommend: Gnocchi appetizer, Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana, Tortelline Alla Boscaiola (but I sub the pancetta and get the Italian sausage), Chicken Marsala, Red Peppino, Veal Parmigiana read more

Good food, quick service despite being a crowded, busy weekday. Unique, good cocktails. Drinks seem a little over-priced, but so is everything everywhere these days.... read more

My parents treated us to dinner here- it was our first time and we loved it! Great, relaxing atmosphere. Service was prompt. Food was excellent- tasty and well presented. We had 2 different apps for the table, 2 different salads, everyone ordered a different entree - lobster ravioli, chicken piccata, veal, snapper, chicken parm- it was all great. Nice portions. Desserts were great too! We'll be back! read more

The food here was amazing. All home made recipes from the owner. He will greet you as soon as you sit and make you feel welcome. The closest thing to a true Italian restaurant in the Katy area. Highly recommend. Bon appetito read more

A real treat in Old Katy. Looking for a day after Thanksiving meal and opted for this old school Italian cafe. It is BYOB but that just means you don't have to overpay for a bottle. The interior is very charming and quiet. The food was benissimo. I had the veal parm and we could hear the chef preparing the veal as we enjoyed the house salad with beautiful greens and homemade vinaigrette. It was so tender with a fresh marina and mozzarella. The side of vegetables(broccoli, squashes, and carrots) were very nice as well. My wife and son both had the spaghetti bolognese and though they can put away the pasta there were leftovers and both said it was very good. Looking forward to our return. read more

Homemade Italian food, BYOB, great service, no wait on a Friday night... what more could you ask for!

My friends and I had dinner here. They had eaten here before, so they knew it was BYOB and were prepared. As previous reviews had indicated, there were not many patrons for a Friday night. The chef/owner was very active and welcoming. The food was excellent. I had the Chicken Marsala, while others had penne al forno, and eggplant Parmigiana. We will definitely be returning. read more

New to Katy area. Found restaurant on Yelp with great reviews and Tiramisu on the menu. Upon arriving for dinner, Sat night, we had to carefully walk around the extended cab truck that was parked in front of the entrance door. Menu prices reasonable at $12-$18 per entree. If you want a salad or side of vegetables, it is $7-8 extra. I ordered Cheese Tortellini with Porchetta & my husband ordered Spaghetti with Porchetta. Both dishes arrived slightly warmer than room temperature. Both dishes each had 3 minced, sized pieces of porchetta, which could ONLY be found with the flash light from my iphone. Dishes had a nice flavor, but I was expecting some protein in the dishes. When we ordered the Tiramisu, we were told "Oh we don't have that available on Saturday nights." I had to ask for a to-go box twice. Upon checkout, we were also charged an extra 10% or $4.30 for paying with a credit card for our $43 bill. read more

I've been trying to get my family to try this place but no one wanted to because it always appeared to be empty... so I came by myself and they totally missed out. I got spaghetti and meatballs and loved it. (Added salt but I'm ok with having to add) Bring YOUR OWN WINE bottle!! That's perfect for anyone with a big group of wine drinkers! It is VERY quiet in here but again would be a great meeting place or even quiet date night. I enjoyed it read more

La Estancia - Spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Katy, Texas

Chicken Alfredo - the sauce is by far the best I have had. I truly wish he sold it, so I could take it home. Portions are large, Pasta is perfectly cooked. They keep the garlic bread rolling out. We will definitely be returning. read more

This place is awesome. Locally owned and operated. Great service and the food was awesome. Great spaghetti and huge meatballs. The chicken Florentine was amazing. Will definitely be returning. read more

Oh my goodness is this a hidden gem in old Katy! The atmosphere is as if you were transported to Italy with tablecloths and beautiful Italian singers and dancers performing the waltz on video of course! I am obsessed with pasta carbonara and very few Italian restaurants even serve it much less make it correctly! The owner/chef Peppino is from Italy and makes the best carbonara in the world! The portions are big and everything's made from scratch and to order so it may take a while to get your food, but bring your fave bottle of wine, enjoy a yummy salad and bread and listen to Andrea Bocelli serenade you! Truly a beautiful experience! read more

Real Italian food, amazing service (by the owner!) fresh made in house pasta. Recommended hidden jewel in Katy Texas.

We have been here twice and absolutely have enjoyed it both times. An elegant at home dinner feel in the restaurant. Gnocchi is delicious, as is the fish. Everyone loved the meals but these two were not just great but amazing! Highly recommend you try them. Also BYOB. A great pace to come when wanting to enjoy a nice relaxing meal. All made fresh so you'll want to come when you have time to enjoy and aren't in a rush. read more

Amazing. Have had the Ceasar salad, chicken Alfredo, and a lot more just can't remember at this moment. The owner is from Sicily and everything is sooooo good. Leave your Olive Garden and Carrabas behind and give this place your money, you won't be disappointed. read more

There's only one thing to say about this restaurant and that is it is a one first class five stars family-owned all food is prepared on site and homemade You won't go wrong in going to this restaurant read more

HIDDEN GEM IN OLD KATY! My MIL was craving Italian for Mother's Day, but with the unpredictable weather this weekend we wanted to stay close to home. We wanted true authentic Italian and wanted to stay FAR from the chain Italian restaurants and we were not disappointed! The restaurant was very small and family owned. We ordered the eggplant parmigiana, cheese ravioli, chicken piccata, and the veal. It was ALL phenomenal! We will be back over and over again. Side note- it is BYOW, we didn't know that until we got there. read more

Great food! the owner was our waiter and did a fantastic job!! the restaurant was a little warm, but otherwise 5 stars!

This was our first experience with the restaurant and had no idea what to expect. The place was small and cozy with lovely Italian music playing adding to the ambiance. The menu was an oral one. Listening intently to what the entries were, we realized that we were in for a meal far more expensive than what we had planned on, especially since everything was a la cart. The restaurant tried to operate as 5-star but the service barely qualified as a 3 minus and the quality of the food did not qualify as such for the price The caprese salad comprised of 4 small paper thin slices of tomatoes topped with mozzarella for $12. The tiny, precisely measured portion of our entres of salmon and a lobster ravioli, accompanied with either a side of pasta or vegetables were billed at $34.80 each. Bread was complimentary but also strictly portioned, one slice per person. The service as I mentioned was a disappointment and almost nonexistent. My beverage of choice is water. No one ever came by to offer refills of our drinks. Total bill for a party of 2 without any alcohol was $112.00. We definitely will not be returning. read more

Loved everything we ordered. Calamari. Caesar salad. Chicken Marsala. Fish. We really enjoyed our food. It has become our new favorite spot for Italian. read more