North Italia, the nationally recognized Italian concept beloved for its scratch-made cuisine, hand-tossed pizzas, and stunning craft cocktails, opened its 52nd and newest restaurant in Katy, on June 10, following a soft opening on June 6. Marking the restaurant group’s tenth location within the Lone Star State, North Italia is introducing its chef-driven, regionally inspired Italian favorites, its value-packed happy hour, and more to Katy’s growing culinary scene, the company said in a May 6 press release. Located at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Suite A-150 in the location formerly occupied by Baker Street Pub, North Italia Katy is a prime gathering space for weekend brunches, everyday lunches, and dinner with friends and family. The transformation from a dark and smoky pub to a light and airy restaurant is impressive, attendees at the soft opening said.

Occupying nearly 9,000 sq. ft., the dining room, indoor/outdoor bar and two covered patios comfortably seat almost 300 guests and accommodate parties of all sizes. With the restaurant’s signature open kitchen format, guests seated in the dining room can watch the action unfold throughout their meal, as the expert culinary team handmakes pastas, pizzas, and other beloved dishes from scratch in-house daily.

At North Italia Katy, the design takes a softer, more intimate approach that reflects both the character of the local landscape and the community it serves. North Italia commissioned Texas-based mural artist Kyle Wadsworth to create distinctive murals for both the patio and private dining room, drawing inspiration from the historic oak trees planted by early settlers of Katy, many of which are still preserved today. These oaks serve as a central motif throughout the custom artwork, grounding the space in a sense of place and history. Rooted in natural elements and cultural storytelling, the custom murals and artwork blend Texas heritage with Italian mythology to create a warm, layered environment that sets the Katy location apart through a more organic, narrative-driven design.

At the helm of North Italia Katy’s culinary and operations teams are brand veterans Regional Manager Mizael Saucedo, Regional Chef Shawney Severns, Executive Chef Jairo Gonzalez, and General Manager Jose Zaragoza. Guests can soon enjoy the signature dishes that quickly cemented North Italia as a go-to for modern Italian dining across the country, while also experiencing new and seasonal fare.

Those who leave room for dessert can indulge in classics and fan-favorites like the Seasonal Butter Cake, Tiramisu, or Hazelnut Torta, made with housemade nutella, candied hazelnut, and salted caramel gelato. Not to be missed are North Italia’s craft cocktails like the New Italian Spritz and Sole Toscano, as well as its extensive wine list featuring familiar favorites and wines brought in from around the world. Guests can also sip on inventive zero-proof options like the La Spezia made with Pentire non-alcoholic, blood orange, honey, lemon, and spiced salt.

Reservations will soon be available via OpenTable. Guests will be able to enjoy lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service, plus takeout, online ordering, and delivery via DoorDash. Group and private dining options are also available.


ABOUT NORTH ITALIA

North Italia was conceived by Fox Restaurant Concepts founder Sam Fox in Arizona in 2002, expanding to 50 locations across the U.S. Using only the season’s best ingredients, North Italia’s chefs create a variety of modern Italian dishes, including pastas made from scratch daily, hand-tossed pizzas and savory lunch and dinner that deliver flavors that go above and beyond the expected. Complementing North Italia’s food menu is a full-bodied wine and beer list accompanied by an array of handcrafted cocktails. For more information, visit northitalia.com.