Ristorante Nicola

The sister restaurant to Nicola’s in Plano turns out food that comes across as somewhat more Italian than its northerly relative. Antipasti are reliably good, from the generous platter of salumi, cheese and roast vegetables (it’s eminently shareable) to a zesty roast beet salad studded with gorgonzola and pancetta and piled high with arugula. Pastas less so, though I quite like the tender veal-filled ravioli in butter-sage sauce. Chef Luigi Iannuario does know his way around a costoletta (veal chop) alla Milanese; not surprising, perhaps, as he’s a native of Milan. It’s hot, crisp and tender as can be. The dining room’s spiffy, but the service can be iffy. (Full review)

Back in March, the owners of Nicola's Ristorante Italiano in Plano added a touch of Italian glamour to the North Dallas landscape with their second Nicola. Not that the food is glamorous – it's nicely done yet basic trattoria fare. But the dining room, the crowd and the charming staff are decidedly swank. (Full review)

A strawberry blond woman of a certain age sits straight as a goddess in her emerald-green one-shoulder gown. Her perch on the long banquette affords a great view of the dining rooms – the table of three business-suited fellows who are seriously exploring the wine list, bottle by Italian bottle, six blond ladies around the high-profile corner table with a tufted, high-backed booth (that's where W was seated when he came, says a waiter).

This is Ristorante Nicola, a new Italian spot in Preston Hollow. And it's Monday night. You should see how they dress for dinner on weekends. (Full review)