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Raia's Italian Cafe & Market
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
4500 Washington AveSte 200
Houston, TX 77007
Neighborhoods: The Heights, Washington Corridor
(713) 861-1042
- Not valid for take-out.
- Limit 1 certificate(s) per table.
- Not valid for delivery.
- Not valid Fridays and Saturdays.
- Promotion lasts for 1 year from date of purchase. After that period, your Certificate is redeemable for the amount you paid. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Not valid with other certificates or offers. Gratuity not included; please tip on full value. Must use in a single visit. Only 1 certificate(s) can be purchased for own use. Up to 3 can be purchased as gifts for others. Subject to the Yelp Deals General Terms.
Deals Left 17
- Reg. Price $20
- Discount 50%
- Savings $10
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 10:30 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
David N. said: "It seemed fitting to review this place after a victory by their name sake. It's currently sitting at 4 stars because like the team it's still not over and there is still more to accomplish. If they win a few more wins and they keep…" read more »
92 reviews for Raia's Italian Cafe & Market
Review Highlights
"If u come here you have to try the blue crab ravioli."
(in 12 reviews)
"Raia's weekly lunch special is an awesome value."
(in 15 reviews)
"As for the hype about the "amazing" gelato."
(in 25 reviews)
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92 reviews in English
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Review from Diana S.
Houston, TX
2/1/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal 2 Check-ins Here
This place is pretty awesome.
AMBIANCE: works both casual & dressy. BYOW. I've seen some pretty dressed up groups of 20+ here, but the look and feel of the place is chill. Floor to ceiling windows looking out onto Washington. Lights dim with a tony candle in the evening. Easily a cozy date setting. You can definitely hear your tablemates: definitely a plus. Music is audible but barely.
FOOD:
_ Salmon is PERFECTLY moist, probably one of my favorite places in Houston to get salmon. It comes with mased potatoes & mixed greens. Sometimes they run out for the night :(
_ Risotto is delightfully satisfying, mixed in with an array of vegetables & seafood including wel/-seasoned shrimp, settled atop 3~4 stems of cooked asparagus.
_ Shrimp scampi (bf substituted pasta for angel hair) He says it was "olay" because he doesnt care for lemon-butter
_ Blue crab ravioli is often out for the night, so keep a backup in mind. When i try it, i'll update my review.
SERVICE: Very attentive, waiters often cant speak perfect English.
PARKING: In the back
LOCATION: shopping strip on Washington
PRICE: $10 - $30 -
Review from Janna L.
11/26/2011
I loved walking into Raia's and seeing a beautiful display of gelato to my right, a meat counter just ahead, a brick oven off in the distance, and a wide variety of Italian-imported goods to my left. This proud Italian was impressed...bring on the authenticity!
I went with 3 other friends on a Sunday evening and the place was almost empty. I was actually relieved by this, as we were just trying to catch a quick bite before a movie showing. I expected the service to be fast and attentive. Unfortunately, I set my expectations too high and was disappointed. Our waiter rarely came around and we actually had to get his attention just to take our orders. It wasn't the worst service I've had at a restaurant, but when we're one of the only groups eating in the restaurant, I would expect better.
The menu had a pretty standard selection of Italian options, but the brick oven really caught my eye so I decided to go with a pizza. I ordered the Carl Raia, which came topped with olives, basil, and Italian sausage. The pizza was big enough to split with another person, but I ordered a whole one for myself and ended up taking half home. I loved the crust- it was perfectly crispy and thin. The toppings were a good choice and worked well together, but nothing about them stood out to me.
The food was actually really good, so yeah, sure, I'll go back again. Maybe I'll just know what to expect and be prepared for a more leisurely dining experience.Listed in: Washington's Best
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Review from Jennifer T.
Houston, TX
2/7/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal
This is one of my favorite restaurants and sad I didn't review it sooner. Pizzas are great and so is their linguine. I almost always get the Pepper Rios because it's just SOOOO GOOD. The Caesar salad is great too, their dressing is just nice and light. Great place with Gelato Blu gelato, try the Michelangelo it's got ricotta in it.
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Review from Kelsey P.
Houston, TX
1/4/2012
Good food & wine, very relaxing atmosphere - the kind of place you can sit, eat, and talk for hours. You can't go wrong with a pizza out of their brick oven, and I love the calamari. The homemade tiramisu is worth a visit alone.
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Review from allan h.
Baytown, TX
1/17/2012
I was really looking forward to dining at this place given all the positive reviews
and friends raving about it. I am from the east coast and I feel I know my Italian FOOD.
My close friend and I stopped in for their Lunch special which seemed like a great deal,
but unfortunately it is all from a steam table. I just expected more from this area of town
The servers have no idea in service. Entree out before appetizer? Ordered bottle of
wine to have it opened in the back? Guess I just expected more not the place for me.
Finally on the way out my friend saw an Italian Silverware set and wanted it so I purchased two of them at $330.00. When I arrived home I saw that it had been used
disgusting! I am not one to raise hell or bring things back, I simply will never spend another dime in that place again. Raia's shame on you shame on your service and I feel sorry for whoever owns this JOINT. I strongly do not recommend to anybody
unless you like sub-par Italian that taste like CHEF BOY AR DEE! -
Review from Cookie D.
Houston, TX
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Perfectly done pasta! Three course lunch for $7.95! What a deal!!
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Review from Vicki N.
Houston, TX
Really good authentic Italian food...half market half restaurant.....you can buy their variety of oil or pasta n bread....
The gelato ice cream is real good...also the pistachio flavor is great.
If u come here you have to try the blue crab ravioli. The lasagna n stuff peppers (peppers rios) that my bf n his dad had was also good. Even the side salad is fresh to the mouth. I will definitely come back.
Not that pricy for real good food. It has indoor n outdoor dining so choose n pick depend on the weather. Very relaxing. Not too much noise. Very calm. -
Review from Meeball L.
Houston, TX
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great deal on lunch special, but nothing you can't (or at least I can't) cook at home.
I've have Raia's a few times for the lunch special. It's really good and a bargain for $7! The pasta dishes are very tasty and being able to choose three items give you a nice opportunity to try something new every time but still order what you want to eat.
Despite all these pluses, it is more of a place I eat at for convenience than for great food. Some dishes, like the crab cake, are dry and clearly came from a freezer box supplied in box. Others, like the tiramisu, are good, but over sweetened and anyone with access to http://Allrecipes.com can prepare a much better dish. -
Review from John M.
Houston, TX
12/29/2011
Great good, good atmosphere. I regularly visit Raia's and am rarely disappointed. Service is good as well. Semi-kid friendly.
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Review from Jennifer C.
Houston, TX
Updated - 6/19/2011
We always, I mean ALWAYS, order the same entree, Chicken Romano. Taking a friend, and eating family style, allowed us to order something different. Wow! Imagine that!
We added the blue crab ravioli to our order of Chicken Romano, along with our usual Caesar Salads with extra garlic. The ravioli was rich and decadent. Absolutely stunning.
Perfect evening with a great friend. It was her first time and she's now a fan too!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/26/2011
What's better than dinner on the patio at Raia's? Nothing, well, almost nothing.
We've never been… Read more »
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Review from Shari H.
2/2/2011 5 photos
A friend of mine was recently running in the Houston Marathon and was looking for a place to carb up with delicious comfort food the night before. I knew just the place to take her - Raia's Italian Market!
I'd been here for lunch once before and really enjoyed it. This visit to Raia's was equally good. We were quickly seated at a high table overlooking the pizza oven area and given a complimentary basket of bread. I ordered their mouthwateringly delicious Chicken Romano which was a flattened breast of chicken encrusted with pecorino romano cheese and sautéed in a lemon butter wine sauce. It was finished with artichoke hearts and roasted peppers on top and accompanied by a side of spaghetti with tomato sauce. My friend had a pizza from their woodburning oven (see my photo of the pizza as well as the oven) and she murmured that it was perfect as she happily munched away. As for waitress service, it was friendly and prompt.
Raia's is located in a strip center on Washington Ave. but despite this, has a cheerful, homey vibe and is part restaurant, part Italian grocery store. There is also an ice cream case of gelato in case you want to have some for dessert or to go.
The only reason I am giving Raia's 4 rather than 5 stars is because: A) as you can see in my photos, their interior lighting was way too bright for pleasant evening dining; and B) their wine was served in small highball glasses reminiscent of a large thimble. But these are minor details which I will gladly overlook given that their food is so awesome. -
Review from Kim-Anh P.
Houston, TX
4/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting with an attentive waitstaff. I should've looked at reviews on Yelp prior to going, because although I liked the Chicken Rollitini, I didn't love it. I wasn't a big fan of the side pasta that comes with most of the Favorites dishes. The pasta lacked flavor.
Perks for me:
1. BYOB
2. Good location - off of Washington Ave
Will give Raia's another try, and hopefully the next dish I eat will wow me more! -
Review from Justine H.
Stafford, TX
12/27/2010
Sadly, Raia's is just one of those places that didn't live up to the hype for me. The decor was alright, simulating a marketplace feel. The service was nice enough, although not as attentive as I'd wanted for there only being 2 tables to serve. I went by the unanimous recommendation of Yelpers and ordered the Blue Crab Ravioli and a side Caesar Salad. The Caesar was okay, though under-seasoned and under-dressed. My date and I had to get more side dressing and it was a little hard to flag down our waitress because she wasn't on the floor. The Blue Crab Ravioli was also just okay and I had nothing to really complain about, other than the crab tasted canned and something about the crab and sauce made me a little queasy.
As for the hype about the "amazing" gelato... it's made by Gelato Blu. The way I see it is this: It's like giving a place compliments on their ice cream being delicious when they're just hocking Blue Bell.
I can't say that it was bad but it was seriously mediocre. I probably won't be going back when there are so many other Italian restaurants floating around in Houston that have better quality and near same value as Raia's. -
Review from emily c.
Alameda, CA
8/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pretty bad fettucine alfredo. I added chicken for like $4 and it was worse than fast food chicken. Shrimp scampi was mediocre. The caesar salad was soggy and they use the parmesean powder like at pizza stands! This place has low quality italian food.
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Review from Georgia S.
Houston, TX
5/1/2011
PASTA & GELATO, WHY NOT? They also have the most tender and juicy smoked turkey in town for under 5 bucks a pound, quite a bargain.
We've been several times, but their Sunday service seems to be their weakest in terms of the quality of their food and service - must be their skeleton crew. His sausage & spaghetti was overcooked to the point he didn't want to bring leftovers home (that's a first!).
My RAIA pizza was a good amount, but it wasn't crispy - tasted more like a quesadilla...My tea was also very bitter.
The butter pecan from Gelato Blue was very good, but they give a really small amount here, as opposed to going to the store on Memorial.
Their food is really inconsistent, and I really want to love this place, and I keep coming back...and hoping things will change...but alas, it may be time to try other local Italian restaurants! -
Review from gita k.
Houston, TX
10/23/2010
Will not go back.
I ordered the cheese pizza on a Saturday for lunch and was charged $12.00. Upon looking at the menu I noticed this was:
#1 way more than any other pizza on the menu
#2 overpriced and overcharged
I realize the place was barren and bleak for a weekend during lunch perhaps because no one will pay $18 for lunch, but it does not make sense to skim money from those who dine because you have no business. That is not the way to keep a patron that lives 5 minutes from your establishment and who could have been a regular from coming back.
A cheese pizza costs $8.50, so how a margarita pizza turned into $12.00 does not make any sense. Upon taking this up with the staff, they told me the pizza had extra sauce so the costs were higher. Really?! I did not fall off the tomato truck.
I will not return and will not recommend this place to my friends and neighbors. -
Review from Thomas F.
Houston, TX
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
We visited Raia's on Thursday night for the first time. We were a little leery because we had recently been extremely disappointed at another Italian Cafe and Market. Much to our delight, we were not disappointed with Raia's. The large garden salad is large enough for two; the brick oven pizza I ate was very tasty; and the bow tie pasta dish my wife ate was delicious. My wife had a canoli which was also enjoyed. I had wine, limited selection and small glasses, but at least they offer a corking service. We were EXTREMELY pleased by our waitress and the entire wait staff. Prompt, polite, courteous, clean, and professional! It's a really nice quiet enjoyable place for really good meal. We'll be back!
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Review from Vanesa V.
Love this place! I've been here twice for take out. we usually always get the same thing, grilled chicken Caesar salad and chicken parmigiana. I've never tried the pizza here but it looks pretty delicious, definitely something I will try next time. The portion size are pretty big so it works out great to share a salad and a entree.
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Review from Ty D.
10/8/2010
A really pleasant surprise. The old adage that "you can't judge a book by its cover" should be updated for Houston as "you can't judge a restaurant by its strip mall location." I've had so many fantastic culinary experiences in places that look completely generic, and for whatever reason (I think my time on the west coast made me superficial), I'm always surprised. I guess that's half the fun of eating in this city.
Raia's has a fantastic menu of traditional Italian fare: pastas, pizzas, meat dishes, and sandwiches are all well represented. And just about everything is good: nothing is especially fancy or expensive, but it's a fantastic lunch or dinner option, and considering how busy it's been lately, it seems like word-of-mouth concurs. Service is always friendly, though it can be slow at times. All in all, however, Raia's is definitely a place worth checking out. -
Review from Amanda S.
Houston, TX
9/1/2011
Love that it's BYOB, but the $5 corking fee per bottle ($10 for the big bottles) is a bit pricey. The food is divine! Small dining room, and the space for large parties is limited. Reservations are accepted for parties of 5+, but if you're hoping to sit and sip while visiting and celebrating with your friends, I would suggest you inquire if there's a large party reservation booked after yours. I didn't do this and I wasn't very happy when our party was "gently reminded" more than once that they needed our table(s) for another party just an hour after we got seated! It worked out, but this wasn't the hospitality I was hoping for at this down home Italian eatery.
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Review from Hello M.
Houston, TX
11/16/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
really liked their food. Amazing. will go back. Giving 4 stars because their wait staff was not that great. but not completely horrible either.
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Review from Dana C.
Houston, TX
I gave Raia's a second chance to WOW me, as promised, and that's exactly what they did. This time around I chose the Rose Ranch Chicken and was very impressed. It's a grilled chicken breast served with pico, monterrey jack, and risotto on top. It's served with a side of pasta, but trying to watch my carb intake I asked if they could substitute with veggies. My entree was served with some super delish grilled squash, zucchini, and carrots. Everything tasted very fresh, the food was brought out quickly, and the service was good. I'm happy I gave them another shot and I'd gladly go back. I'm definitely leaving room for gelato during my next visit, though!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/5/2010
I had dinner here with my sister and it was decent Italian food. The entree I ordered wasn't quite… Read more »
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Review from Louie E.
Houston, TX
Pretty darn tasty if you've never been highly recommend my first time here and not the last
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Review from linda t.
Houston, TX
10/15/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Great service and pretty good food. Can't ask for much.
The food is pretty classic Italian if you are looking for something way better the olive garden. The atmosphere is definitely really cute. It has a little mini Italian grocery store in there which makes you feel like you might be in Little Italy in New York.
I recommend the geletto. Its amazing. -
Review from Chris C.
Sugar Land, TX
12/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'm a big fan of lunch here. The pick 3 has good food at a great price.
Items can get pricey from the menu. Also, review your bill. They have charged us for items that we did not order. -
Review from Sonia C.
Katy, TX
I walked in expecting to love this place. The interior is very nice - casual, but comfortable and inviting. The employees were friendly and helpful. I just liked it there. Unfortunately the food was a let-down.
We ordered the fried mozzarella, eggplant parmesan, house salad, pasta puttanesca, gnocchi with crema rosa sauce for the baby, and a piece of cheesecake. The fried mozzarella was pretty good. I would order it again. The eggplant parmesan was a serious disappointment. I like a little crisp to the eggplant, and instead the dish was mushy. The flavor was above average, but the texture wasn't. It reminded me of eating reheated leftover eggplant parmesan. (If you like eggplant parmesan, Lasagna House III makes a really good dish.)
The house salad was a little wilted and the dressing was watery. The baby enjoyed her gnocchi, and since they don't have a children's menu, that's probably a good option if you are bringing a young child. Keep in mind that it's a very small serving, so it probably isn't enough for a toddler. My husband had the pasta puttanesca, and said it wasn't great, not awful but kind of "blah." The cheesecake was good, but when is cheesecake bad?
I'm sorry to say that I probably won't go back. I loved the atmosphere and the people, but our food wasn't very good. -
Review from Dan C.
Houston, TX
10/14/2010
This place has a good lunch menu, It's a pretty good value. You choose from 3 items, and the cost is under 7 dollars.
Everything I had was pretty good, I would advise against any of the seafood fare. It just isn't as good as the rest of the items.
I have had their Italian Sandwich, and while I am by no means an expert on the subject, I have had my fair share of them. Their is pretty great. So good in fact, I plan on skipping the meal deal and going for their sandwich the next time I patronize. -
Review from David W.
Houston, TX
7/31/2011
I don't understand all the great reviews...
I had the spaghetti with sausage. I think I would have been better off staying at home and heating up a jar of prego and dumping it on some Target brand spaghetti (no offense to Target).
My wife had a salad with shrimp... all three shrimp were over cooked... which were $1.50 each!!! -
Review from Jack H.
1/26/2009
If the Chicken Parmesan is anything to go by, authentic Italian cuisine meets Texan sensibilities at Raia's Italian Market. Where other places might pride themselves on a chicken fried steak the size of Rhode Island, Raia's can boast a Parmesan the size of Sicily.
An interesting hybrid between market and restaurant with an array of goods on display, patrons can select a bottle of wine from the shelf to enjoy as they sit down to an epic Italian lunch or dinner. To start, the calamari was large and fresh, and perfectly cooked, not rubbery like other lesser establishments might offer. The size of the chicken parm has been addressed, but it was also moist and delicious with excellent breading, cheese, and marinara. The pasta pescatore delivered al dente pasta tossed with calamari, shrimp, crab claws, anchovies, and olives in marinara sauce. Bellisima!
The namesake owners couldn't be nicer, and they recommended some of their delectable gelato, an indulgence bordering on gluttony given the size of the meal, but you'll be glad you did. I was. I could conceivably dock a star because I had to cancel my evening plans due to a food coma, but that was my own fault, not theirs. There is plenty of lighter fare on the menu. This is a truly delightful Italian destination. -
Review from David H.
Houston, TX
9/27/2008 ROTD 11/8/2008
Went by Raia's on a Friday night for a casual dinner. What a great neighborhood restaurant! Its in a very new buliding, but it feels like its taken from an old neighborhood with its combination of market and dining choices.
I had a Ceasar salad to start, pomadore as my entree followed up with a mini cannoli and stracciatella gelato. It was delicious and very affordable. The service was attentive but not over bearing.
I was fascinated looking up at a chalk board showing the menu upcoming for Monday's lunch. $6.95 for 3 items from a vast selection. You have to check out their website to see all of the options. I will definitely be working that into my schedule this upcoming week. -
Review from Edgar V.
10/27/2008
Very lovely addition to the neighborhood. Decided to try the place out for lunch after reading the reviews by David H, Cory O, and, of course, Agustin S.
Was the first customer of their day and the manager/cashier was kind enough to walk me through his presentation station. The pasta puttanesca was farfalle pasta - it looked wonderful! Had the lunch special and opted to go with the chicken with herbs, butternut squash, and mini cannoli for $6.95. He gave me my number and said that they'd bring it out once it was all prepared. Made me think that they didn't serve the food out of the presentation station but I could be wrong.
The chicken was delicious with rosemary and slivered almonds. The butternut squash was a delectably sweet mash with pecan pieces sprinkled on top. The mini cannoli was tasty with pistachio bits on top of the marscapone cheese filling. All in all, a tasty "right sized" lunch. I'll admit that I was underwhelmed at the portion size when it came out but realize now that it was just right to fend off a carb coma.
The decor is pretty awesome. Wood floors and red checked tablecloths complement the market goods that surround you. You feel cozy without feeling cramped. They've got a good-sized patio (guessing about 12 tables) outside that front Washington Avenue. I was sorely tempted to eat outside since it was beautiful cool October day.
Raia's is a cute neighborhood addition - I want to return to check out dinner options and wish them much success. -
Review from Meredith M.
Houston, TX
4/5/2009
Located in a strip mall on Washington, Raia's is surprising. A cute bistro and market inside and a few tables on their front patio for outdoor dining. My friend and I met for lunch today and chose to sit outside. We chose to split an eggplant Parmesan sandwich and a pesto and chicken pizza. Neither were disappointing. The sandwich was my favorite of the two. Perfect crusty bread, delicious eggplant and red sauce and the right amount of cheese. It was huge, too much for one person for lunch. The pizza was good, but less interesting. The crust was thin and tasted of the brick oven.
Service was overly attentive with one of our three waiters asking if he could take our plates several times, even when they were really full. Granted, we were talking and eating very slowly, but geez. We ended up giving up and took a large amount of the food to go. I will definitely be back to try some of the pasta dishes.
Important note: Do not leave anything in your car that you want to hold onto...someone unscrewed and stole my front license plate
during lunch on a sunny Saturday. When my friend and I were looking at my car and talking about it, the owner of Raia's came to the parking lot and said that his car had been stolen from the same lot in the middle of the day. Ugh...just be aware.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from MOrgan C.
Houston, TX
10/9/2008
This is a pretty good Italian place, but at a better price point than nearby Patrenella's, and more casual. Actually its damn good. There are a few uniquely Italian dishes, which is a nice change from the abundance of pasta or pizza places. Unfortunately I can't spell them, but they are delicious. I had the chicken stuffed with sausage and sun-dried tomato and it was incredible.
The market is superb for its size. Very good prices on everything. You expect it would be marked way up but olives are cheaper here than at Kroger. There is a great cheese selection as well as meats and sausage.
I had one bad freak experience here when they first opened, but the rest were good. I have yet to have a dish that was poor, nor has my particularly picky S/O which is amazing actually.
This place is going to be around a while. -
Review from Stephanie I.
Sugar Land, TX
8/12/2010
5 stars for the awesome lunch special - $6.95 for your choice of 3 different dishes! I was really excited to try this place when I found out their menu was so cheap.
4 stars for the food, though. It was your typical Italian market-style food - good, but nothing too outstanding. You also get huge portions for your lunch special. I ordered the Chicken Lasagna, Steamed Asparagus, and the House Salad. Everything was yummy, except I wasn't a big fan of the asparagus - it was my attempt to be healthier, but it was flavor-less and just meh.
I really wanted to try their Tiramisu, but didn't come on the right day (they switch up their lunch options each day...check on the website for a day-by-day listing). I'll have to come back for that! -
Review from Tracey L.
11/9/2009 1 photo
Went here for lunch today, and as with most of my reviews lately, it was due to Linh N.!!!
I ordered the 6.95 lunch special with crab stuffed tomatoes, chicken parmesean and the pasta Louisiana.
Everything was VERY good--especially the Pasta Louisiana!! It was bow tie pasta with mushrooms, bell peppers, and a creamy spicy sauce.
The other dishes were good as well, but the pasta was the show stopper, and at 6.95, you just can't beat the freshness of the meal!
I wanted the Michelangelo Gelato (Fig Gelato) but it had just been taken out of the freezer, and was too hard to serve, so I went BACK after running errands, and BOY am I glad I did!!! The fig gelato was DELICIOUS :-D
Also bought a bag of their homemade fig cookies, and MEH, not that impressed with those (not sweet enough for me), but the BF liked them.
Overall, GREAT lunch spot--both for the food AND the price!! -
Review from Rusty B.
Houston, TX
11/10/2009 1 photo
I went with Tracey after she got rec' from Linh, and I'm going to throw all 5 stars on the table...not because it was mindblowing... but because I just couldn't find anything I didn't like...not the stuff that usually ticks me off especially!
The location is great...an Italian cafe+market type place...albeit the boring strip-center location...good job Raia's on making your spot your own...from the patio to the windows to the entire interior...NICE. My kinda "cafe".
Absolutely great service the entire time, from seating to check. That means a lot to me.
The lunch special was like $6.95 for 3 items. These were quick-serve items served on plastic (not stryro...nicer plastic...lol) plates/bowls...which was no problem for me. This was a lunch special...and the plate wasn't loaded with 5 pounds of cheese or decorated to impress...it was 3 items of your choice...done very well...done very fast!!
I got chicken parm, tomato-basil soup, and Italian sausage off the 3-item Monday lunch special menu. (See picture.)
The tomato-basil soup was loaded up parmesan or something and totally awesome. The Italian sausage was crazy good and covered with some really good marinara sauce. The chicken parm was a small portion but absolutely perfect...very juicy and moist and the sauce was great. Altogether the portion size had me swo' and I'm a big dude. It was way more flavorful than what I've ever had...at any Italian cafe.
Of course, they had a complete menu of full-blown Italian meals, but the lunch special was enough to put the hurt on me...and I can EAT.
The desserts are strategically placed on the right when you walk in, and all look out of this world. Tracey got the "michaelangelo" gelato and the bite I got was awesome.
If I worked in the area and wanted a great/affordable lunchtime spot, this would be it. If I went out for for Italian dinners more often, this will for sure be it. They have an extensive dinner menu!!
Great food. Great service. Great Bargain. It wasn't life-changing...but I can't find a reason not to give them 5 stars. I thought it was awesome. -
Review from Linh N.
4/12/2009
Raia's weekly lunch special is an awesome value. It changes every week, so you can look it up on their website, but for $6.95, you can pick any three things offered on that day's special--even the same thing thrice, if you're so inclined. The portions are not huge, but just right, so you can actually go back to work without experiencing post-lunch food coma from overeating.
Another purpose of this review is to rave about their gelato. Oh you must try their gelato because it is pure BLISS in your mouth. Particularly the fig gelato called Michaelangelo. The espresso gelato is good too, and if you get it for dessert after your lunch special, you'll have experienced dessert bliss, plus get an extra caffeine kick for the rest of your day. The only negative is Raia's does not sell their gelato by the pint, only in a little cup, to be eaten on the premises. I hope they reconsider. -
Review from Gilberto V.
Houston, TX
10/9/2008
If Goldilocks had gone out to eat Italian, she would find this place is "just right."
This little market is a nice little Washington avenue surprise that offers two things at once: great food and authentic Italian groceries. The food selection has a fantastic array of goodies - including a sliced cheese and meat appetizer served European style - as well as the part of the meal that matters most... dessert.
Tiramasu that melts in your mouth and gelato that makes you realize that taste buds can have orgasms, from start to finish, you will find this fun slice of the Washington corridor to have food that tastes great and will leave you wanting to come back and try the rest of the menu.
Service is genuine American style - fast, fast, fast - which is the pace I prefer. You can take slow service and long dinners and shove them where the kitchen vent don't blow. I want great food, fast, and so I can move about my evening. My usual waitress, after my 4th visit, has been the cute, perky, voluptuous girl Bianca - her laugh is just right, and she always double checks the order - one time, she even suggested that (in her opinion) the fried mozzarella was a bit overcooked. Both myself and my dinner companions were pleasantly shocked at her honesty.
It was not overcooked - far from it, in the words of Goldilocks, it was just right. Easy to cut with a fork and perfect for dipping. Likewise, their calamari was not overly fried (Collina's can do that from time to time) and their Lasagna was awesome.
Portions are healthy, so I advise you keep bread consumption to a minimum, though you will be tempted given the perfect consistency and texture of the bread and the way it absorbs the dipping sauce. Watch yourself, or you won't make it to gelato!
The gelato has a nice texture, and their flavor array means that there is plenty to choose from for all gelato professionals - indulge in dessert decadence and if you've come this far, do try their simple coffee - strong, potent (it will raise the dead) and without the over-coffee flavor. -
Review from Alex S.
Houston, TX
1/23/2009
Amazing place! I have been three times now and I just had to get on here and write a review.
Last time in I tried Raia's lunch special ($6:95 for any 3 items). I got the Lasagna, Crawfish Po Boy and Asparagus and everything was fantastic.
My two previous trips in I had one of there sandwiches and have also tried out the soup and salad.
Seriously everything is good and they have a deli in addition to many items you can buy for a good price off the shelf. This place is in a brand new building off busy Washington Ave but it feels like you are in NYC or Europe and not Houston.
I recommend this place to everyone and since I live just around the corner I will be there all the time. -
Review from Cory O.
Houston, TX
10/25/2008
Raia's lives up to the hype! The service was friendly and prompt and the store is just adorable. I love that they do the dining in the middle of the store so you can look around at all the goodies. Italian markets always make me happy!
I went with the blue crab raviolis and was incredibly, incredibly happy. They were plump, succulent and delicious. And, they put some extra crab claws all around the plate as well. It was creamy and heavenly.
The hubby's sandwich was huge and fabulous. We both had leftovers and all for a decent price. I think I could find myself here more often if it was a bit closer, but I'll be glad to make the drive for such delicious food.
