A new neighborhood Italian restaurant is now open in West University.

The details

Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria brings "fresh, authentic" handmade pasta, hand-tossed pizza, grilled specialty items and Italian dessert to a restaurant space with the capacity for 97 guests, including bar seating and a patio, according to a Feb. 13 news release.
Tiramisu and other Italian desserts are on the menu at Magdalena's. (Courtesy Alex Montoya)
What's in a name

Chef-owner Nicolas Nikic named the restaurant after his mother, Magdalena. Nikic incorporates ingredients sourced directly from Italy in his family recipes, such as a sweet corn ravioli with lobster, veal osso buco and baked quail with polenta.

The restaurant's wine list was also curated by Nikic, and features an extensive selection of domestic, French and Italian wines that are also available for purchase by the case, per the release.
Chef-owner Nicolas Nikic pays homage to his mother and his family's recipes with new West U restaurant. (Courtesy Alex Montoya)


Quote of note

Nikic said in the release that he and the Magdalena team are excited to share his family's authentic recipes with the surrounding West University and Upper Kirby community.

"I grew up in Vienna and studied hospitality all over Europe, learning from the very best," Nikic said in a statement. "Magdalena’s will give our guests a true Italian dining experience in the heart of Houston.”