Ciao Bello’s elegant salads, super-thin pizzas, and delicate house-made pastas prove that Houston’s Italian-food godfather, Tony Vallone, has a lighter side. Try the amazing stuffed pansoti and ravioli, as well as the broad pappardelle with Bolognese sauce, the best variation on “spag bol” in town. If you see fettuccine with fresh garden peas, Italian ham, and wild mushrooms in cream sauce on the daily special list, order it. For dessert, there’s Italian wedding cake made with mounds of whipped cream and fresh strawberries. The dining room here is very comfortable, but the covered patio is a real treat when the weather cooperates.