Coppa Osteria

The more casual cousin of the since closed Coppa Ristorante on Washington Ave., this Kirby-West U, conceptualized by chef Brandi Key, is they kind of place you can linger over a romantic dinner or bring the family for a pizza (it even has a pizza-by-the-slice window so guests don't have to worry about making reservations or sitting through a lengthy meal). All the pizza dough is made in the central dough room, which looks out on the dining room, allowing people to watch their pies being prepared. Most of the pastas, too, are made in-house. Key's updated classics like spaghetti carbonara with parmesan cream sauce and linguine with Gulf shrimp fit right in at the swanky new restaurant with decorative candelabras, baroque-framed mirrors and simple wooden tables and chairs.