River Oaks just got a slice of Italy with the opening of Cotto e Crudo Enoteca, a charming new spot that feels part café, part market, and part wine bar. It’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down, sip a glass of wine, and savor every bite but with no passport required.

Everything here is made with care, from the house-made pastas and hand-rolled pizza dough to the freshly baked pastries that fill the air with that unmistakable aroma of butter and espresso. But what really sets this place apart are the Panuozzos, traditional southern Italian sandwiches that have officially made their Houston debut! Imagine a crisp, warm pizza-dough exterior filled with cured meats, cheeses, and veggies, all layered with house-made spreads. We tried the Maialino Panuozzo with crispy eggplant and were blown away.

The menu also features Pinsa alla Romana (a lighter, airier take on pizza), hearty pastas, and stunning pastries that look as good as they taste. The Tartufo Pasta is a must for truffle lovers, and the Pistachio Lobster Tail Pastry is the perfect way to end your meal or start your morning!

Cotto e Crudo also includes a small market area stocked with imported sauces, olive oils, artisanal pasta, and other Italian essentials, so you can take a little piece of the experience home with you.

Their daily happy hour from 3–6 PM features $10 cocktails and select wines by the glass, making it an ideal spot for a casual date night or an early evening catch-up with friends. Between the warm atmosphere, authentic flavors, and beautifully curated details, Cotto e Crudo Enoteca is quickly becoming one of River Oaks’ most inviting new gems!

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