Arturo Boada’s Cuisine in Houston: A Fusion of Italian and Latin Excellence

Friendly. Caring. Family oriented. Passionate. Vibrant.

And fantastic food.

Since leaving his native [amazon_textlink asin=’1786716356′ text=’Colombia’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’de2df7a2-5217-11e8-a3d7-3185633cc098′], Arturo Boada has been a prominent fixture in the Houston restaurant scene. His latest venture, the immensely popular Arturo Boada’s Cuisine, opened 7 years ago in northwest Houston. Since then, the eatery has amassed outstanding reviews and a flock of loyal customers who return for the food, the ambiance, and the friendliness of this family-run restaurant.

Location:  Just off Voss outside Loop 610 at 6510 Del Monte Street in NW, [amazon_textlink asin=’1681060124′ text=’Houston’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f7b0bae9-5217-11e8-8b9e-2522f3884eeb’].

Menu: Arturo’s serves up a unique blend of Italian, Spanish and Latin cuisine. They are well known for their creative tapas, tasty seafood dishes, homemade pasta and other dishes made with only the freshest ingredients.

Among the popular tapas are Camarones Henesy En Hamaca, sautéed shrimp with hearts of palm, tomato, and cilantro in a ginger-soy sauce on a bed of sweet plantains. Another great tapa is the Beef Blue, a 4 oz. filet on sliced tomato topped with blue cheese and onion rings. Additional top choices are Snapper Tacos or Carnitas Tacos, Ceviche made with snapper and shrimp in a fresh lime juice and serrano peppers, and Tuna Tartare Sashimi Grade, with cucumber and fennel with an Asian vinaigrette.

Delicious soups include the Fresh Light Tomato Basil Soup and the heavenly Roasted Yellow Pepper Soup. The House Salad is a favorite, with green Batavia lettuce, hearts of palm, walnuts, tomato, and cucumber with a fresh herb vinaigrette. Other can’t go wrong salads include the ever popular Tomato Caprese, with fresh mozzarella, capers, basil, and extra virgin olive oil, and the Whole Nine Yards, made with shrimp, chicken, smoked salmon, artichoke, tomato, avocado, hearts of palm, hardboiled egg, and sweet peas in a champagne dressing.

Made in their wood-burning oven, you can’t go wrong with thin crust pizzas like the “Why Not” Margherita, with homemade marinara sauce, fresh basil, and mozzarella. Or add your choice of fresh ingredients like the Carnitas Pizza, with charred salsa, asadero cheese, onion, and fresh cilantro.

Homemade pasta dishes like the Fettuccine and Shrimp, in a creamy cilantro pesto sauce, are hits with diners at Arturo’s. Or try the especially popular Mama Sonia’s Ravioli, homemade pasta stuffed with chicken and porcini mushroom in a white wine cream sauce topped with jumbo lump crab meat.

Seafood entrees include Snapper Al Fresco, sautéed with fresh tomato, basil, garlic and capers topped with jumbo lump crab meat. Others include the Grilled Sashimi Grade Tuna, with fresh arugula and grape tomatoes, drizzled with a lemon truffle oil, and the Frutti Di Mare, a flavorful combination of snapper, shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari served in a light tomato broth.

Meat eaters will enjoy the Grilled 8 oz. Beef Filet Center Cut, the Grilled 16 oz. NY Strip USDA Prime, and the Grilled 16 oz. Veal Chop Natural. If fowl is more to your liking, the Chicken Breast Provenzale, with artichoke hearts, fresh tomato, garlic, mushrooms, olives and fresh herbs is an excellent choice.

Some of the best desserts I’ve ever had, with tasty Tiramisu, cheesecake, gelato, sorbet, and fresh fruit among the choices.

Thoughts: With some restaurants, even before you take your first bite, you know immediately that there is something very special about the place. Arturo Boada’s is such a place.

The heartfelt welcome, the genuine smiles, and the elegant and intimate interior greet diners to this wonderful neighborhood restaurant. Camilo, Arturo’s nephew, walked us to our table and started a conversation that lasted throughout the evening. As he hustled to and fro, greeting other customers, bring food and wine and silverware, Camilo was the ultimate host, fulfilling our every need.

My wife and I both made an immediate connection to Camilo and Arturo’s. In fact, at the end of the night, I had to tell my wife – “No, you may not bring Camilo home with you.”

With the welcome and friendliness beginning the evening, the food and wine to come just added to our fabulous evening. Each course was perfectly matched with an excellent wine. Our evening began with a roasted yellow pepper soup, smooth and rich, yet not heavy despite its deep flavors. I loved the Snapper Al Fresco, a tender snapper fillet sautéed with fresh tomato, basil, garlic and capers topped with jumbo lump crab meat. Finishing off with dessert, we sampled five fabulous creations – delicious tiramisu, cheesecake, creme brule, coconut gelato, and a mango sorbet.

As we sipped on our limoncello chatting with Camilo at the end of our night, my wife and I both agreed that Arturo’s is one of those special places that we would have to return to. In fact, my wife tells me she knows where she wants to celebrate her birthday this summer. I have to give Camilo a call.

Prices: Tapas range from $12 -20. Entrees range from $30-50

The author received a complimentary meal on his visit to Arturo Boada’s Cuisine.