Move over chicken fried steak. Make way for "Italian fried steak" — Tony Vallone's riff on the Texas classic.

For his soon-to-open Caffe Bello, Vallone has created a fried steak dish laced with truffle cream gravy and served with parmesan-infused mashed potatoes and Italian vegetables. And that's just one of the discoveries we made when dropping in during a training session at the old La Strada location on Westheimer.

The menu is still a work in progress but the interiors of the "new," very casual eatery are set. The walls are painted in bold shades of undulating orange giving off something of an Old World feel. But that is where the traditional ends. A mix-match of chandeliers hangs from the ceiling, carpet squares are in varying patterns and colors and a sassy new railing encircles the stairs. Restaurant walls are lined with paintings and photographs by Vallone's new favorite artist John Palmer.

Visual energy is the hallmark. Or as one socialite says of all happening restaurants, the feel is "buzzy."

The changes are mostly cosmetic for the interior. But there is one construction project — enclosing the second-floor terrace. Windows will open for fresh air during fall and spring. Air-conditioning vents are already in place and the glass, according to Jeff Vallone, should be up in the next few days. It's something similar to the recently-enclosed patio at the Vallones' Ciao Bello. Closed during tough weather, open al fresco during good.

No opening date is set at this point. But there was enough staff on hand at the training session for the place to open tomorrow. Stay tuned.

And get ready for Italian meatball burgers and individual pizzas.