Housed in a spare, brick-lined room with windows overlooking bustling Westheimer, Paulie’s is a Montrose neighborhood favorite. Locals stroll in at any time of day for generous bowls of pasta, two-fisted panini, and healthy salads like the summer vegetable with a refreshing side of melon. Unfortunately, our shrimp fettuccine had a light, creamy marinara that lacked gusto and seasoning (despite the garlic), plus the grilled shrimp were overcooked. Meatball sliders were better, but that wimpy marinara sauce appeared again. However, we inhaled the pork loin chop, which was thick, juicy, and perfectly grilled, but forget about its sides: the Parmesan Potatoes were wedges of boiled red potatoes with a watery white sauce, and the promised mixed greens meant raw spinach. The Nonna pizza with prosciutto and arugula also missed the mark, with its dry crust and scant smear of pesto. Next time we’ll try the nightly special; think meat loaf or osso buco. Perfect final bites: the scrumptious homemade cookies.