Bella Sera – Copperas Cove, Texas

Many of us go to a restaurant expecting, or at least hoping for a spectacular meal. I have been fortunate to have experienced this at several places, and Bella Sera in Copperas Cove, Texas, provided one recently. It was nothing fancy, but it was the best lunch I've had in recent memory – their exceptional Stromboli.

Zio's Italian Kitchen – Georgetown, Texas

You have to wonder about a restaurant where the appetizers outshine the entrée. It doesn't happen often, however, at Zio's Italian Kitchen in Georgetown, Texas, the salad and appetizer were so outstanding that it was a bit of a letdown when the main course showed up.