“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.

Vespaio

1610 S. Congress, 441-6100

Tuesday-Saturday, 5:30-10:30pm;

Sunday, 5:30-10pm

Vespaio has garnered considerable attention for its creative and well-balanced Italian dishes from local chef Alan Lazarus. The South Austin eatery features a deep selection of grilled entrées, wood-oven pizzas, inventive pasta dishes, and a great barside antipasto case. With the arrival of an Austin summer, the menu reflects the hot weather, offering lighter sauces, baked dishes, and additional seafood selections. Vespaio receives consistently high marks for service, wine selection, and atmosphere.

Carmelo’s

504 E. Fifth, 477-7497

Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm;

Sunday-Thursday, 5-10pm;

Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm

www.carmelositalrest.com

Carmelo’s opened its Austin branch in 1985, making this old-guard Italian establishment a true survivor. Located a stone’s throw from the bustling traffic of East 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

Downtown: 310 Colorado, 472-6770

Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-10:30pm;

Friday, 11:30am-11pm; Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 6-10pm

Gateway: 9901 Capital of TX Hwy. N.,

372-8030

Monday-Thursday, 11am-10:30pm;

Friday, 11am-11pm; Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 5-10pm

Mezzaluna has toed the line between elegant and trendy since the Warehouse District was a distant dream. The stylish, quasi-industrial bar and dining area stay consistently packed with downtown hipsters, especially on weekend nights. The northern outpost of this popular Italian establishment, located in the Gateway Market Shopping Center, provides the notable entrées and excellent service that keep the seats full downtown. House specialties and traditional dishes run in the moderate to expensive range, but always attract an enthusiastic clientele. If you’re in the mood for a more casual experience, order from the appetizer and pizza menu at the downstairs bar or have a glass of wine on the new patio at the North location.

Romeo’s

1500 Barton Springs Rd., 476-1090

Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm;

Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm

5800 Burnet Rd., 419-7567

Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm;

Friday-Saturday, 10:30am-11pm

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 recently added a 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. Look out for the new lunch menu at the Research location in the next week or so.

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.

This article appears in June 7 • 2002.

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