Piola

It’s been nearly 30 years since brothers Stefano and Dante Carniato launched their pizzeria in Treviso, Italy. In the time since, the award-winning concept has expanded to seven countries—and counting—and in fall 2010, Houston franchisees Bruno and Michele Cencini introduced the hip concept to the third coast.

Located in Midtown, next door to the much buzzed about Sushi Raku, Piola fuses fast-casual and full-service dining in a vibrant, modern space. Raid the menu for one of more than 50 thin-crust pizza variations like the crowd-pleasing carbonara with bacon, egg, and grana padano cheese or the lisbona, topped with spicy salami, gorgonzola cheese, and arugula. For those not in the mood for pizza, Piola serves up several other options like antipasti plates, pasta dishes, gnocchi and some seriously stellar salads. Keep an eye out, too, for the $13.50-all-you-can-eat gnocchi day, held on the 29th of each month and complimentary appetizers Monday-Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Piola is open for lunch and dinner daily and keeps it coming until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.