It was love at first bite of the tender, housemade pasta — think mushrooms, garlic and hints of lemon and white wine — at the preview party of new Milton’s in Rice Village, which officially bows Sept. 27. The convivial American trattoria is the brainchild of Houston restaurateur Benjy Levit, culinary director Seth Siegel-Gardner, exec-chef Kent Domas and the Local Foods Group.

Milton’s, named after Benjy’s late father, resides in the former Eau Tour space above Local Foods. If you’ve followed the Houston dining scene long enough, you know that if Levit’s concepts need tweaking, he will quickly pivot. "We wanted to create an intimate space where people can come together to meet old friends and make new ones," says Levit.