Mandola Vineyard and their Trattoria Lisina
13308 Fm 150 West
Driftwood, Texas
Open Tuesday to Friday 4 pm to 10 pm
Italian Foods and Hand Crafted Wines.... Saturday 11 am to 10 pm
Sunday 11 am to 9 pm
My mother is Italian, raised in Bagnoli near Naples in southern Italy. Needless to say I am rather critical of Italian restaurants....I judge them on seemingly minor details....and Mandola's effort with the Trattoria Lisina passed with flying colors. It's the little things: The olive oil was excellent: dark green and flavorful so very excellent with the handmade bread that accompanied. At this point I am rather content. The calamari land and the flavors come up another notch and my disposition continues to improve as the flavors of the food comingle with the Sangiovese the Mandola family has crafted. I ordered Cannellini all Uccelletto and they were fantastic. The beans are slowly simmered with garlic, tomato and olive oil creating a rich side dish really worth eating, if I were advised to eliminate meat from my diet it is this dish that may save the day. The Melanzane Parmigiana arrives and the scent permeates the air and is at once spectacular. The eggplant is baked allowing the tomatoe sauce to become friendly with the olive oil and reggiano: the results are fantastic and I must say worth the drive in and of itself..... I say this, at your next opportunity make the drive to Driftwood to visit and you will be rewarded with a day in the Hills of South Austin and the Hospitality of the Mandola family and you will come to understand the Italian phrase,
"La vita è bella" or Life is Beautiful.....
Trattoria Lisina: a beautfiful restaurant embracing the essence of Italy.
Attractive outdoor areas coupling our stately live oaks with classic fountains, trails and sitting areas creating a place to gather.
Full scale production facility and tasting room finished echoing the architecture and feel of the adjacent Trattoria Lisina.