A Houston Lifestyle Bilingual Blog

Yo Mariana curates the best of Houston and provides her followers with unique recommendations of where to enjoy exciting culinary experiences, drink delicious cocktails, or explore art, theater, and all the fun things our wonderful city has to offer. She also shares her International travel adventures and her personal opinion on the products she loves.

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Jim Crane, the owner of the Houston Astros delights us with the opening of two new restaurants in Downtown, Osso & Kristalla and Potente. Both are located just a block away from Minute Maid Park and you must go try them both.

The innovative architecture and decoration of both restaurants enhance the corner of Texas Avenue and Crawford Street with two very interesting Italian proposals – A casual trattoria called Osso & Kristalla and its high-end sibling Potente.

This week I had the chance to attend a first look tasting at the trattoria and let me tell you that the secret behind their delicious dough is the 100-year yeast starter with which Chef David Berg makes all his bread and pizza bases in both restaurants.

The concept behind Osso & Kristalla offers an Italian menu with big portions so everyone can share. The shrimp pizza with caramelized onions had a bubbly and crunchy crust that was spectacular. I also tried the BBQ shrimps that came on a bed of couscous, a purple kale salad with apple, pancetta, pine nuts, and ricotta as well as the Steak Salad with rosemary balsamic vinaigrette that was delicious.

On the other hand, Potente restaurant focuses on a more upscale and exquisite menu. Some of their specialties are the Lobster Risotto with black truffles and the Branzino with crab. It also offers an elegant bar, perfect to enjoy a delicious drink like the frozen Negroni I had, prepared by one of their expert mixologists.