Each week, we spotlight hidden-gem restaurants around Fort Worth, as recommended by Star-Telegram readers.
These mom-and-pop spots may not be the biggest or fanciest places around, but the great food and friendly service have made them neighborhood favorites.
💌 Do you know a hidden gem? Click here to share your restaurant recommendation with us!
Aventino’s chef Chris Hight with the eggplant dish he used to make to impress his wife Erica when they were dating. File photo, Feb. 4, 2014. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
▪ Where is this restaurant: 5800 Lovell Ave., in Lovell Center just south of Interstate 30
▪ What readers recommend about Aventino’s Italian Restaurant: “It’s family owned, small, intimate and quiet. Two of my favorite dinner items are the tortellini rosa and their lasagna. Their tiramisu and cappuccino pie are great desserts. Owner Chris Hight and his son Zander are the chefs, and Chris’ wife Erica Paez is often there to greet us as we arrive.”
▪ From another reader: “Excellent Italian, especially the chicken scallopini”
Aventino’s chef Chris Hight with the eggplant dish he used to make to impress his wife Erica when they were dating. File photo, Feb. 4, 2014. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
▪ What else to know: Al and Olga Paez opened “Aventino’s Ristorante” in the early 1980s in a nearby location across from Ridglea Theater. Today their daughter, Erica, and her husband are involved in every aspect of the business, from cooking the food to scheduling reservations.
Aventino’s chef Chris Hight with the eggplant dish he used to make to impress his wife Erica when they were dating on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. (Star-Telegram/Joyce Marshall) Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram
In addition to the scallopini, the menu has a long list of specialty entrees including chicken, veal, ravioli carciofi (cheese-stuffed with creamy pesto, roasted artichoke heart and sautéed mushrooms) and several shrimp and salmon dishes. Plus, of course, pastas.
Daily lunch specials are $13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., served with a salad, bread and an iced tea. A “reverse happy hour” is Fridays, 8-9 p.m., with half-off mixed drinks, cocktails, wine by the glass and bottled beer.
See the full menu. Lunch hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours are Monday-Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.
In this file photo from July 23, 2003, Aventino’s Ristorante menu featured Ravioli Carciofi and Shrimp Diablo. Jeffery Washington Star-Telegram Share your restaurant recommendation
If you have a favorite neighborhood restaurant in your neck of the woods, tell us about it using the form below so we can share it with our readers.
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This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 12:58 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.