Review: Sammy’s Pasta

Sammy’s Pasta
Downtown
402 Houston Street
817-348-0085

Rating: *****
Fort Worthology Five-Star Favorite

Fort Worth’s urban neighborhoods have been blessed with many fine quality eateries, both of the local and chain variety. Whether downtown, Fort Worth South, the Cultural District, or several of our other blossoming urban villages, you’re never far from something tasty. Take Italian food, for instance; in downtown alone, there is a chain (though a rare one - Uno), and no fewer than four locals: Ferré and Taverna, covering the upper end of the price bracket, and two more affordable choices, Picchi Pacchi and Sammy’s.

This blog loves its Italian, and we’re confident in choosing Sammy’s to be one of the most little-known gems in the area. Ever since being bought by Al, the new owner, Sammy’s has become a ludicrously tasty though unassuming Manhattan-style Italian joint. Sammy’s features a broad menu of New York-style pizza by the slice, and delicious pasta dishes both baked and otherwise. Then, there’s dessert, featuring outstanding made-from-scratch pastries created exclusively for their dessert counter by a man named Philip, who spent most of his life in Manhattan creating cakes and pastries for celebrities, diplomats, and high society (if you get the chance, check out Philip’s scrapbook - one of the photos Al showed this blog was of a cake Philip made for none other than Yoko Ono).

The mouth-watering flavors found in the food mesh well with the atmosphere of the place. Sammy’s is a small restaurant in Sundance Square, in a layout typical of old downtown eateries - narrow, but deep. The interior is well layed out, though, and it feels cozy but not at all cramped. Al’s complete redecoration of the interior features lovely black & white paintings & sketches of Venice, and the requisite photo of the Manhattan skyline behind the counter. The counter runs the whole length of the place, creating a friendly atmosphere of interaction with the staff. It’s warm, welcoming, and attractive without being pretentious or overwrought, which is a perfect fit with the attitude of Fort Worth.

As for picks, this blog adores the cannelloni, served hot & fresh straight out of the oven with a side of garlic bread - a delicious baked blend of ricotta and spinach. In the dessert arena, we’re big fans of Phillip’s work, in particular both the plain New York-style cheesecake and the delicate, delectable cream puffs and eclairs.

A Fort Worthology Five-Star Favorite must be tasty in flavor, but there’s more to it than just that. They must be real local originals, they must be a part of the urban fabric, and they must represent the warmth, friendliness, and lack of pretentiousness that characterizes the great city of Fort Worth. Sammy’s in downtown is just such a place. Give it a try, and say hi to Al if you get the chance - tell him Kevin from Fort Worthology sent you.

(Note: Don’t be surprised if you see shirts and business cards proclaiming Sammy’s to actually be named “Foccaccia.” Al’s changed the place so extensively from the previous owners that he’s pushing to get the name changed, but Sundance Square Management hasn’t yet approved it. Our review reflects the current name on the outside of the place to aid folks in finding it, and when the name change becomes official we’ll change the name in the review.)