Every week “My Top 5” showcases a different Houston tastemaker and reveals their favorite things about Houston. This week we’re pleased to present Nash D’Amico, who owns D’Amico’s Italian Market Café in Rice Village and is currently celebrating his 40th year in Houston’s restaurant scene.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Nash D’Amico
- Volunteering with the St. Anne Catholic Community – Being involved with St. Anne Catholic Church and School is the most important and enjoyable time I spend away from work. I went to school there when I was growing up, then Brina attended and now my three granddaughters are there, so it is a big part of the D’Amico family. I’ve been Eucharistic Minister for many years, we cater many of their events and have served on many boards over the year.
- Season tickets to The Hobby Center Broadway Series – I call our theater options one of the greatest treasures Houston has to offer, and the Broadway series is certainly on the top of my list. I’m there every year – season tickets, Row F, seats 107+108. That’s sixth row, dead center. Sometimes I take Brina with me or one of my granddaughters. It’s a great escape.
- Quiet time at Camerata Wine Bar at Paulie’s and Grace’s Bar – If you’re Italian and were born in Houston, chances are, you’re related in some way to almost every one of the city’s Italian restaurant owners. I really enjoy checking out and am fascinated by Houston restaurant evolution, but spending time in these two places is like visiting family. I’m proud of my connections to them.
- Family outings to Vietnamese and Asian restaurants – Yes, I’m Italian, and yes, Brina and I own an Italian restaurant, but we really love Vietnamese and Asian food, too. There’s nothing unusual if at the last minute we head out with my granddaughters to try a new place or return to a favorite. There are so many wonderful one in Houston, and I love exploring all the diversity. Kam’s Fine Chinese Cuisine is probably our most regular stop.
- Being part of the Rice University and Texas Medical Center community – Certainly, one of the benefits of having a restaurant in Rice Village and being in the restaurant business so long is having met so many wonderful people from all over the world who come to the university or the medical center or work at one of them. I meet them when they come in to dine, then they become regulars and that evolves into friendships. I have friendships with customers that have lasted 30 years or more. We’ve gone through good times and rough times, raised children, had grandchildren and gotten older, but we have done it all together.
About Nash D’Amico
Along with his daughter Brina D’Amico, Nash D’Amico owns the popular D’Amico’s Italian Market Café in Rice Village. When he walks through his restaurant these days, there’s a good chance that any one of the wine-sipping diners is the child or grandchild of people he served 40 years ago. A member of one of the city’s most successful restaurant families, Nash was on the forefront of introducing the area to the wider world of Italian cuisine. The Sam Houston College marketing graduate began his career in the restaurant business in Huntsville, Texas with his cousins, Tony and Damian Mandola, who have also made their marks on Houston restaurant concepts.
