It began in 1998, when Paul Petronella’s parents opened a restaurant and named it Paulie’s. 20 years later, the Italian eatery is a local superstar — still family-owned, still home to some of the best food in town.
Paul has owned his namesake neighborhood spot since 2009, and he’s dedicated his life to its recipes, staff, and service. His devotion shines through in everything from the house-made pasta to the lauded wine bar, Camerata, which he opened next door to Paulie’s in 2013.
Now, Paul is celebrating two decades in business with a beautiful cookbook, Paulie’s: Classic Italian Cooking in the Heart of Houston’s Montrose District. The book shares Paul’s life’s work as an independent restaurateur and is dotted with dozens of delicious family recipes that can be recreated at home. Brought to life with stunning photos, it’s a powerful first-person telling of Paulie’s history and people.

“The cookbook commemorates 20 years in business,” Paul Petronella, Paulie’s owner and book author, told Houston Hotel Magazine. “It is a storybook for people to get a behind-the-scenes look at Paulie’s and other family restaurants. It’s also a guide to newcomers who want to open a restaurant, offering insight on what to expect.”
The cookbook will be available for purchase at Paulie’s mid-January, which presents the perfect excuse for a visit. Tuck into some of the finest authentic Italian food in Houston, complement your meal with a well-paired glass of wine, and finish with a cup of top-shelf Greenway coffee and one of Paulie’s famous shortbread cookies.
The cookbook commemorates 20 years in business. It is a storybook for people to get a behind-the-scenes look at Paulie’s and other family restaurants.
-Paul Petronella, Paulie’s owner and book author

Join Houston in celebrating 20 years of one of its most beloved restaurants. Purchase Paulie’s: Classic Italian Cooking in the Heart of Houston’s Montrose District at 1834 Westheimer Road or pre-order on Amazon.
Said Paul, “Creating the book and making it come to life has been a long process, and I’m excited to finally share it with the community and the world.”
1834 Westheimer Road | (713) 807-7271 | pauliesrestaurant.com
Cover image courtesy of Paulie’s