Dallas' Vitto Italian Offers More Than Just Great Pizza

The offerings at your average Italian restaurant are often a mixed bag. Most eateries make their name on a particular item, while the rest of the menu suffers. Great pizza often means the pasta dishes are an afterthought. If you're visiting an Italian steakhouse, don't even bother ordering something that didn't chew grass at some point. Salads are usually a sad collection of greens in a small bowl drowning in ranch dressing with a cherry tomato life preserver.

Thank goodness Dallas has a place like Vitto to meet everyone's Italian fix. Set as a cornerstone establishment in the Bishop Arts District (in North Oak Cliff near downtown Dallas) for over ten years, Vitto has succeeded where other restaurants in the area have failed because they know they have a diverse clientele and have some thing to offer each of them.

Vitto first earned their reputation with their pizza, which was hailed by several food critics as the best in Dallas. The crust is best described as soft and chewy, strong enough to hold the myriad of toppings and tasty enough not to overpower them. Toppings are fresh and gourmet-style. In addition to the standard toppings like sausage and mushroom, Vitto offers spicy chicken, sun dried tomato, feta cheese, artichokes, zucchini, broccoli, and garlic as well. They and other toppings make up some of Vitto's popular but eclectic pizzas, including the Spinach Bacon, Vegetarian, Margarita, Thai, and Alfredo pizzas.

Pizza is available by the slice if you eat in, and with the right number of toppings can be a meal unto itself. Whole pizzas range from 12" to 20" (called the Giant) and are priced very reasonably. The Giant currently runs $24.25 with a choice of eight toppings. Be prepared to feed a large group or have plenty of leftovers.

Appetizers are tasty and a wonderful primer for the main courses. The fried calamari and shrimp scampi is especially good, and even if you don't like soup, the Italian Wedding Soup (which features pasta and meatballs in a pesto broth) may just change your mind. Vitto also offers dough balls soaked in garlic and oil, and while it may not do much for your breath, you'll find it irresistible.

Some may find it insane to order a salad for a meal in an Italian restaurant, but Vitto takes pride in making delicious, filling salads that even men will like. The Mozzarella and Tomato ($6.99) is especially good for vegetarians, while the Chicken Caesar ($8.50) is a standout for those who want a little protein. While side salads are always available, at Vitto it doesn't have to always be a sidekick.

Vitto offers over two dozen chicken, seafood, and veal pasta entrees. The Salmon Alfredo ($13.50), Chicken Piccata ($11.50), Smoked Chicken Ravioli ($9.50), and Veal Parmigiana ($14.50) are all well done and affordable. Vitto's entrees may not blow away the toughest culinary critics, but they are far above what you will find at national chains or even some mom and pop Italian establishments. There are a number of meatless pasta dishes also available, and diners can even "build-your-pasta-dish" with choices of pastas and sauces. The stuffed shells with ricotta cheese ($8.25) feature a tangy tomato sauce and is a can't miss.

Service is often good, but at times can be slow. Seating at Vitto is more like a bistro, and can be crowded and noisy at times. Try to get a window table if possible. Parking is always an issue in the Bishop Arts District, so if you go at a busy time, try to avoid looking for a space off of Seventh Street and just use the big parking lot at Seventh and Madison.

Vitto Italian, 316 West Seventh Street in Dallas. 214-946-1212.