Second Helpings: A Little Italy, Part I

"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here.

Carmelo's

504 E. Fifth, 477-7497

Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm; Sunday-Thursday, 5-10:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm
Carmelo's opened its Austin location in 1985, making this old-guard Italian establishment a true survivor. Located a stone's throw from the bustling traffic of Sixth Street, Carmelo's serves a wide selection of traditional Italian dishes along with a few nontraditional ringers. The menu reads like an edible encyclopedia, with numerous entries from just about every Italian food group. It also includes a "Tableside" section for diners who crave more theatrical service or classic flambé desserts such as bananas foster and cherries jubilee.

Mezzaluna

310 Colorado, 472-6770

Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-10:30pm; Friday, 11:30am-11pm; Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 6-10pm
www.mezzalunaaustin.com

Mezzaluna has toed the line between elegant and trendy since the Warehouse District was a distant dream, but the popular Italian establishment wasn't able to transfer its success to the sister location at Gateway. The closing and subsequent replacement of its northern outpost last fall couldn't faze this downtown hot spot, however; its stylish, quasi-industrial bar and dining area stay consistently packed with downtown hipsters, especially on weekend nights. House specialties and traditional dishes run in the moderate to expensive range, but always attract an enthusiastic clientele.

Romeo's

1500 Barton Springs Rd., 476-1090

Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm

5800 Burnet Rd., 419-7567

Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm; Monday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm
www.romeos.citysearch.com

Plastic grapes, Chianti bottles, and straight-outta-Mama's-kitchen Italian food. Romeo's serves up sizable portions of no-nonsense Italian standards (pastas, pizzas, and various seafood dishes) for surprisingly reasonable prices. Dinnertime winners include Shrimp Romeo -- a grilled Parmesan shrimp with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and a light, pesto cream sauce -- and vegetable ziti. Both locations have brunch, served 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with Italian eggs benedict, frittatas, a BLT omelet, and the Texas staple -- migas.

Carrabba's Italian Grill

11590 Research, 345-8232

Monday-Tuesday, 4:30-10pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday, 11am-11pm; Saturday, 4-11pm; Sunday, 3-9pm

6406 N. I-35, 419-1220

Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 3-10pm
www.carrabbas.com

This franchised Italian grill sprung from a Houston-based Italian dynasty of the same name and was one of the first Texas restaurants to feature an "open kitchen" atmosphere. Order from the pasta bar, sample one of the woodfired pizzas, or choose a grilled specialty. The menu also includes requisite manicotti, lasagna, and spaghetti options.

Basil's

900 W. 10th, 477-5576

Sunday-Thursday, 6-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 6-10:30pm
Essential Italian food without compromise to fusion fashion. Basil's does it the old-country way. This upscale restaurant offers well-prepared traditional dishes such as chicken saltimbocca, veal marsala, and beef tenderloin with port and gorgonzola. The menu also features homemade pastas, rich, creamy desserts, and new creations like the hickory-smoked salmon ritollo. Their wine list is extensive, offering an impressive selection of Italian wines. With its quality service and intimate setting, Basil's offers the next best thing to a vacation in Tuscany.

Buca di Beppo

3600 Tudor Blvd., 342-8462

Monday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday, noon-11pm; Sunday, noon-9pm
www.bucadibeppo.com

This national chain started serving pizzas and pastas out of a Minneapolis basement 10 years ago, and now has 100 locations across the country. Buca di Beppo serves "immigrant Southern Italian cuisine" and offers the gamut of traditional Italian-American specialties like bruschetto, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti marinara. Dishes are served family-style, each with enough to feed at least two people, if not three or four, making it a great place for large groups and parties. No need for couples to be intimidated, though -- Buca di Beppo offers a personalized dinner for two with smaller portions.