Restaurant Review: Bellagreen - Heights

Bellagreen is a small restaurant chain which originated in Dallas in 2008. Since then, they have expanded into a few Houston locations with the goal of providing a diverse range of chef prepared meals in a fast, casual environment, all while using sustainably sourced ingredients. The Heights location will be the subject of today’s review, where they serve modern American fusion food, including burgers, soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, and a few other options as well. The restaurant emphasizes its focus on healthy foods that can be easily customized to meet the dietary restrictions of virtually any patron that walks through their door.

Experience & Ambience

The restaurant is located in a brick building at the corner of Studewood and 11th Street, which makes the amount of parking rather limited. The main lot adjacent to the building has a tendency to fill up during peak times, but additional parking can usually be found in their additional lot at the corner of Studewood and 10 ½ Street. The interior has a modern look to it with bright tiled walls and accents of stained wood, with a large chalkboard over the registers that typically displays either seasonal specials or chalk art. The green chairs add a pop of color to the room and the elevated ceiling over the seating area creates an open, spacious atmosphere within the restaurant. Bellagreen is a counter service establishment, so after you walk in, grab a menu and place your order with the staff on your left. After paying for your food, you will receive a number and take your pick of the open tables. Fountain drinks and house-made teas are available on the far side of the building along with napkins and silverware. Once your food has been prepared, the staff will bring it out to your table.

Prices & Rating

The average price of a meal ranges from 13 to 17 dollars with the potential for a 3 dollar upcharge on the gluten-free pizza dough or hamburger buns. Although it is not unheard of for businesses to charge 15+ dollars for an entrée, this makes the restaurant more expensive than your run of the mill burger joint. While considering if the price is worth it, it’s important to take into account the quality of ingredients. This is one aspect where Bellagreen holds itself to a higher standard than many of its competitors. Their produce is always very fresh, the quality of their meat is on par with higher end restaurants, and this is all achieved with sustainably sourced ingredients. It’s not every restaurant where you can taste a noticeable difference in food quality from the ingredients used, but Bellagreen is one of them. I wouldn’t be the first to say that this justifies a slightly higher price tag. The vegetarian and gluten-free dishes offered are also quite impressive. These are great health oriented options that you can tell were not just afterthoughts added to the menu. It is clear that someone spent just as much time developing and refining the vegetarian options as their meaty counterparts. The variety of dishes that they serve is also quite impressive, and ensures that anybody will be able to find an option that interests them. With the lack of parking being the most notable criticism that I can offer, Bellagreen certainly wins my recommendation.

What To Order?

The Queen
A traditional style margherita pizza with marinara sauce, tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic olive oil, and fresh basil.

The Fig & Pig
A non-tomato based pizza with fig jam, mozzarella, parmesan, goat cheese, prosciutto, garlic olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil.

The OG
A fully vegetarian pizza with house-made pesto sauce, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella cheese, arugula, garlic olive oil, and a balsamic glaze.

Hand Pulled Chicken Tacos
This plate of three all natural, herb crusted chicken tacos arrive in corn tortillas topped with sautéed red onions and bell peppers, queso fresco, chopped cilantro, and an avocado slice. It comes with a peach chipotle sauce on the side.

The W Burger (Wagyu Beef)
An Akaushi Wagyu patty topped with bacon, caramelized onions in a raspberry sauce, house-made pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and roasted garlic aioli served on a brioche bun. You have your choice of Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese and the option for a gluten-free bun.

The V Burger (Veggie)
A house-made chickpea patty made with sautéed vegetables, potatoes, hemp seeds, almonds, corn, gluten-free bread crumbs, and chickpea hummus topped with lettuce, tomatoes, house-made pickles, and red onions. Like with the W Burger you have your choice of Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese and the option for a gluten-free bun.

Goat Cheese Salad
Mixed greens, romaine lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, sliced apples, parmesan cheese, tossed in a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette and topped with a warm almond-crusted goat cheese medallion.