Our Praises
“The Best Neighborhood Restaurants” by D Magazine
February 2008
“Isabella’s. Striking Italian spot has a grand, villa-esque feel thanks to a stone exterior guarded by moat. The menu of pastas, pizzas, seafood, and steak strikes good balance between familiar and exotic. Excellent wine list has lot’s of Italian labels.”
“The Best Italian Food” City Search, 2009-2010
November 2009
Review Highlights: “Love it!” ”I was absolutely delighted with the service I received and the spectacular food” “Exquisite Italian Cuisine and ambiance” Isabella’s is everything you want in a restaurant”
Voted #1 Italian Food & #1 Italian Beef. Voted top Ten for Romantic Dining & Business Dining
Zagat’s – Isabella’s Review
You’ll feel as if you “stepped out of Frisco and into Italy” at this upscale eatery in Stonebriar Commons ensconced in a tasteful setting enlivened by “wonderful contemporary art” and an active fountain outside; admirers applaud the “excellent” menu items that hail from Lombardy, Piedmont, Tuscany and the Veneto Regions while “accommodating” “individualized” service adds a “warm” touch to the evening.
Best of Local Business Awards - US Local Business Association
Best of Frisco 2009 – Italian Restaurants
Best of Frisco 2008 – Italian Restaurants
Two Time Award – 2008 / 2009
Morning News Restaurant Review
By KIM HARWELL / Dining Writer
Tuna tartare has become an almost ubiquitous appetizer, but Isabella’s version seemed fresh thanks to a creamy topping of puréed garbanzo beans with olive oil, Italian parsley and garlic. The richness of the spread, reminiscent of hummus, made a nice foil to the bright, fresh flavor of the minced yellowtail. A spicy tomato sauce added an appropriately Italian touch.
Another starter, bacon-wrapped shrimp with spinach salad, sounded rather pedestrian but was the one dish that left us talking days later. The half-dozen shrimp, swaddled tightly in a thin layer of smoky Italian pork, were firm and delicious, but it was the spinach, heated until barely wilted and coated with a delectably sweet-tart limoncello dressing, that made us swoon.
Penne pasta con pollo was a light refresher, its macaroni tubes tossed with pieces of supple chicken, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and sliced zucchini in a delicate basil-infused broth. It made a nice change of pace from the heaviness of a typical cream sauce.
Veal saltimbocca was a nice version, with a thin, tender fillet of veal paired with prosciutto in a rich mushroom-laden Madeira sauce and sided with creamy mashed potatoes. We were similarly pleased with the grilled branzino , a moist, flaky slab of sea bass topped with a paste of puréed olives and served on a bed of sautéed red onions. Though the pungent olives seemed an overpowering match for the mild bass, the ratio of topping to fish kept the flavors in balance.
Desserts included a creamy block of coffee-kissed tiramisu and a rich, not-too-sweet Italian cheesecake made with mascarpone and served on a sturdy, toasted pistachio crust. Pistachios are also used to good effect in a semifreddo , a partially frozen custard flavored with the pale green nuts.
An extensive wine list features plenty of moderately priced bottles from Italy , along with familiar brands from California , Chile and elsewhere. A nice touch: Two pages of $25 offerings are helpfully presented for quaffers on a budget.
Service was mostly smooth and professional.
Price continues to welcome potential investors to join the Isabella’s team, which is already supported by a group that includes world-renown hoteliers, bankers and more. For more information on Isabella’s or to make a future reservation, call Kenyon Price at 214- 618 – 3384 , or go to www.isabellasfrisco.com.
