Italian Cuisine That Stands Out in Dallas
Dallas is a big city, with a zillion choices when it comes to any kind of cuisine. Even a generous selection of Italian fare throughout the “Big D.” So it’s not always easy to make a decision of where to eat if you want to pick just the right place. That’s why you might want to think about checking out Princi Italia in West Plano Village. The service is great, the wine selection vast, and the food delicious from appetizers to desserts!
Meet the Owner: Patrick Columbo
Owner Patrick Columbo has had his fair share of adventures in the restaurant industry over the years. Not only operating his different Princi Italia locations, but also his entire chain of Crew restaurants throughout the country. With restaurants in Kentucky, Love Field Airport, Denver, Austin, Houston and the DFW Airport, he’s got his hands full.
Running Princi Italia though is something he leaves up to his trusted general manager Jose Perez, who has been working with Columbo for the past 10 years.
Princi Italia opened its doors in the fall of 2015, and is the second in the newer chain, following their other spot in Preston Hollow.
A Stylish and Inviting Atmosphere
Princi Italia has a lot going for it, but perhaps the most special thing about it is the restaurant’s overall aura. Elegance at its most tasteful, you won’t feel out of place if you are in a polo shirt and nice dress slacks. The attire is very casual chic, with a hint of Italian flare in a lot of the wardrobe that is seen on the majority of the clientele. A nice change from some of the more looser and casually dressed places in the area, you can feel sophisticated in your surroundings.
The bar, humble and modest, has everything you would need. They even offer some signature cocktails in addition to the vast wine collection they have available.
Ample seating, it’s spread out over a large dining area to give each customer their space and privacy. While there may be chandeliers overhead, there’s enough of a casual vibe, there is never a sense of pretentiousness.
What Makes Princi Italia Unique?
As they are an Italian scratch kitchen, everything is made fresh and by hand. Including the pasta. In fact, the only freezer they have is used for storing ice cream. This speaks volumes to how fresh every item truly is here at Princi.
The most popular dish on the menu is their Spaghetti Bolognese, which they apparently oversell on every day. A testament to the creative and unique taste that the dish carries here at the restaurant, the secret must clearly be in the sauce. Though not a traditional Italian Bolognese, the American flare that it brings adds color and a savory taste that is not typical to any restaurant at which you’ve ever had the chance to dine before.
Even their desserts are made especially by them. With classics like Tiramisu, during the summer months they have Texas blueberry crostata on offer. But, if there’s one thing you cannot leave the restaurant without trying it’s the chocolate molten lava cake. There is nothing on this earth quite like it, and I even ordered seconds because it was that good.
Wine Lovers, Take Note
And if you’re a wine lover, you might want to try at least a couple of the 125 wines they have on offer here at Princi. 75% Italian, 25% American, the majority of their American selections are from California.
Not only do they have quite a few from Tuscany and southern Italy, they also have prosecco and Dom Perignon available for those in the mood for some bubbly.
My Experience at Princi Italia
I was most highly impressed with my experience at Princi Italia, for numerous reasons. The service was terrific, the food delicious and the wine extensive. But the thing I most especially liked about Princi was the subtle stylishness that it affords its guests. The little touches like the small candles by the wines on the rack, to the simple outdoor patio for a breezy evening dinner. The illuminated bar once the sun goes down, and the almost romantic lighting by the evening’s end were all reasons I enjoyed the atmosphere here.
But of course, the food was something that can’t be left out. While the majority of the dishes had a very American feel to them, that did not mean they weren’t delicious. Perhaps my most favorite dish (not including the unforgettable chocolate cake by the end) was the Tortellini Fonduta. That really did transport me back to my favorite place in the world – magical Italia. The tastes were truly authentic and exquisite.
Overall, Princi Italia is a place to unwind, relax, enjoy good conversation with your friends or date, and have some quite tasty Italian food. In between upscale to bistro, you will enjoy everything you try, from the pizzas to the pastas and everything else on their plentiful menu.
Why Princi Italia?
This is as close as you’ll get to Italy in all of Dallas. D Magazine rated Princi Italia as one of the top Italian restaurants in the city.
The most common positive feedback from customers is that they feel like they were back in Italy because of the taste and consistency.
👉 Visit Princi Italia’s official website here.
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to stop in and have some scrumptious pizza and pasta while you’re in Plano! Just make sure that when you do go in to see them, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
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