In the wilds of North Fort Worth, just a few miles from Alliance Town Center, the independent dining options are somewhat limited. Chain establishments abound. As a card-carrying bleeding heart, I feel compelled to usher my family to and fro as many mom-and-pop joints as possible when we’re up for dining out. A regular haunt is Flips Patio Grill, a veritable empty beer-bottle throw from Chez Mariani. Another is a little farther away, in Watauga. Fresco’s Cocina Mexicana is good for the occasional afternoon splurge – you’ve got to be made of money to make it a regular stop. 

New to the area is Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. Housed in the dreary stripmall space formerly occupied by the decent Roma Pizza & Pasta, this Western Center Boulevard spot tries hard and hits the mark often enough to warrant a “highly recommended if you’re in the area” rating or – or – if you have a thing for authentic New York-style pizza, and who doesn’t.