Chef/owner Marco Wiles wanted to create a Houston restaurant that could be equally successful in Italy, and he succeeds with Da Marco, once named No. 29 on the America's Top 50 Restaurants list by Gourmet magazine. The cuisine is not just authentic, it's expertly prepared with the highest quality ingredients, both local and Italian. Very few concessions are made to the American palate, with dishes mostly inspired from the Friuli and Venezia regions of Italy. Try the fresh marinated anchovies or the Chianti-braised short ribs with risotto. The wine list is gloriously Italian with a great array of styles from a variety of regions. Voted Best Restaurant in 2007 Houston Press critics poll. Beer also available. Serving lunch Tue–Fri, dinner Tue–Sat. Closed Sun–Mon.