
Cotto e Crudo is an Italian eatery and wine bar in Houston specializing in artisanal panuozzo, pizza, fresh pasta, charcuterie, and regional Italian wines. Located in River Oaks, we bring the flavors of Italy to a local spot made for everyday cravings. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, picking up wine for dinner, or sitting down for a board of cheese and salumi, our menu is rooted in quality ingredients and Italian tradition served fast and with care. Dine in or take your favorites to-go.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4340 Westheimer Rd #150, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (346) 867-3151
Website: https://cottoecrudoenoteca.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Related Web Results
Cotto e Crudo | Italian Wine Bar in Houston
Cotto e Crudo Enoteca (@cottoecrudoenoteca) – Instagram
Order COTTO E Crudo Enoteca (Westheimer Rd Ste 150) – DoorDash
Reviews
Go here! It is great. I can’t wait to go back and try their specialty sandwiches. Everything about the place put a smile on my face.
Today I had the potato and sausage pinsa and loved it.
The TLDR. Pinsa. The Roman rectangular “pizza”. After WWII, the Italian government fixed prices for bread so that people would be able to afford bread. The bakeries in Rome needed to come up with some alternatives to increase profit. The ovens used in Rome resulted in the rectangular pizza shape they are known for. In the 1970’s a new type of pizza dough evolved, more digestible, with addition of rice flour and some say, soy flour. Here is what I found in my research. “Modern Pinsa, characterized by its oval shape, high hydration (up to 80% water), and blend of wheat, rice, and soy flours, was patented by Corrado Di Marco, offering a lighter, more digestible alternative to traditional pizza.
“However, as technology advances and more research is done, new professional flours for pizza and the cold water processing techniques invented have made it possible to produce the Pinsa Romana.
“The birth and intuition of the Pinsa Romana are owed to the proficiency and experience of the Pizzaiolo Angelo Iezzi. In the early nineties, he was the first person to change how the dough is being produced while introducing the use of the cold water processing technique.
“Is pinsa the focaccia of ancient Romans?
Let’s debunk this myth right away: no. Or at least, there is no evidence that the modern pinsa is linked to ancient Roman traditions.
One of the most widespread legends claims that pinsa dates back to the times of the ancient Romans, a sort of precursor to pizza. It is said that Roman legionaries prepared a focaccia with flour, water, oil, and salt, which was then cooked on the battlefield. While fascinating, this story has no historical foundation and no supporting evidence.
The modern pinsa, in fact, was created in 2001 as the result of a long evolutionary process undertaken by Corrado Di Marco, the inventor of pinsa, to meet consumer needs. Although not brand new, pinsa is a modern product designed to provide an alternative to traditional pizza: lighter, more digestible, yet just as tasty.
The pinsa origin: the first steps
In the 1970s, Corrado Di Marco, an entrepreneur, researcher, and member of a historic family of Roman bakers, realized that pizza, as it was formulated at the time, did not fully satisfy consumer needs. A significant change was necessary because pizza dough was heavy, rich in fats, and not easy to digest, while people were increasingly attentive to quality and lightness—in other words, their health.
The desire to innovate led Corrado Di Marco to create the PizzaSnella brand, which would become one of the key elements of his long career in the industry. The goal was simple but ambitious: to provide the base for a product that, while maintaining the traditional taste, was lighter and more digestible, capable of winning over modern consumers.
PizzaSnella introduced an innovative flour mix to the pizza market; rather than just using wheat flour, Di Marco studied a combination that blended wheat with soy, an ingredient that gave the pizza unprecedented lightness. A “slim” product, perfectly suited for those who wanted to enjoy pizza without compromising their shape.
2001: the birth of pinsa and its first years
Corrado Di Marco did not stop at the success achieved with his flour mix but pushed his research further, with a constant desire to innovate and create something entirely new: pinsa.
His determination to perfect the product led him first to enrich the flour mix with an ingredient that would become fundamental for pinsa: rice flour. This not only gave the base a unique crunchiness but also contributed to the overall lightness, balancing the dough’s moisture. Additionally, rice flour provided characteristics that resulted in a more balanced and refined taste experience, making pinsa not only more digestible but also softer and more enjoyable.
Our favorites were the cotto e crudo pinsa and the vodka pasta. The pistachio crumbs and cream in the pinsa were incredible, and we really enjoyed our first pinsa (like a cross between a flatbread and a Roman pizza so served hot). The vodka sauce was very creamy and concentrated with flavor, and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente.
We went on a Saturday at 1:00 pm and they were packed! (Well deserved because they are amazing) we had to wait a little longer than expected but it was worth it for the food we received. It was evident how hard they were working!
Seating is limited inside. They do have outdoor seating which will be great when it cools off!
Can’t wait to go back!
On the other hand, it’s a fun place where you can bring your dog, try different sodas from Italy, pick some free Italian candies at the register, and nibble on things.
The food? Top-tier. Everything is made with high-quality ingredients, and the prices are more than fair. The panuozzos are phenomenal—honestly, they rival the paninis from All’Antico Vinaio. And the sfogliatella? Perfectly crispy, filled right on the spot, just like in Italy. It’s a true taste of authentic Italian street food done right.
Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates great food, warm service, and a beautiful setting.