Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

1057 Reviews

$50 and over

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines
Lively

Zanti presents authentic Italian cuisine in a high-end casual atmosphere. Contemporary décor will combine with a charming outdoor patio, bar lounge area, pizza station and lively dining room. Handmade pasta, prepared daily in our kitchen and our gleaming brick oven, in which we will bake pizza, piadinas and select main dishes, will add to the unique vibrancy of Zanti. It is a place to feel yourself among friends and enjoy the beauty of the Italian experience.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Wed, Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(281) 378-4890
Website
https://www.zanticucina.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Hilario Zamora
Private party facilities
www.zanticucina.com

Location
1958 W Gray St suite 101, Houston, TX 77019-4816
Neighborhood
River Oaks
Cross street
Driscoll St
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

Zanti RO power lunch
$35.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Enjoy a three course lunch for $35. Choose from a list of appetizers, entrees and dessert. This menu includes ice tea or soft drink (not bottle water). Service is not included.
Pre theatre menu $55
$55.00 per person
Multiple dates available
3 course meal before the theatre. · First Course · Cacio & Pepe Salad Minestrone Soup Arancini Shrimp Ceviche · Second Course · Chicken Piccata Margherita Pizza True Cheese Ravioli Flank Steak · Third Course · Panna Cotta Homemade Gelato Sorbete

Popular dishes

Imported selection of cheeses and meats, served with rustic Pugliese grilled bread, honeycomb, Marcona almonds, Cerignola olives and truffle stracciatella spread. Meat: Prosciutto di Parma, Golfetta Salame, Sopressata Calabrese Piccante, Coppa or Speck Affumicato. Cheese: Parmigiano Reggiano, Fior d' Arancio, Pantaleo, Sapore del Piave or Trillium

Piccolo$28.00
2 meats and 1 cheese
Medio$38.00
3 meats and 2 cheese
Grande$58.00
4 meats and 3 cheese

Antipasti

Black Truffle Beef Tartare$28.00
hand-cut beef tenderloin, truffle oil, sun-dried tomatoes, celery, Parmigiano Reggiano, capers, parsley, arugula and Dijon lemon dressing
Burrata Caprese$19.00
burrata cheese, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, pesto, roasted pistachios and Maldon sea salt
Duo di Tonno
yellowfin tuna tartare and carpaccio, preserved lemon, fried capers, baby heirloom tomatoes and lemon dressing
Eggplant Parmigiana$13.00
eggplant, melted mozzarella cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil and pomodoro
Fritto Misto Mediterraneo$26.00
calamari, shrimp and artichokes, fried, served with arrabbiata, garlic aioli and grilled lemon
Mediterranean Hummus$13.00
chickpea spread, Kalamata and Cerignola olives, mint, extra virgin olive oil and Sardinian Carasau bread
Mussels alla Tarantina$25.00
pomodoro sauce, peperoncino and white wine
Octopus Carpaccio$24.00
fennel, heirloom cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette
Scampi Aglio Olio & Peperoncino$24.00
grilled shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, peperoncino, lemon zest, parsley and grilled lemon
Zanti Artichoke$18.00
artichoke hearts, pancetta, sundried tomatoes, basil, white wine and stracciatella cheese

Insalate & Soup

Artichoke & Roasted Beets$18.00
goat cheese mousse, crispy quinoa, micro celery and oregano vinaigrette
Cacio & Pepe Salad$16.00
baby lettuce, 25-year-old balsamic vinegar, Cacio cheese & pepper dressing and Parmigiano Reggiano
Frutti di Mare Soup$21.00
mussel, clam, baby scallop, shrimp, squid, pomodoro sauce, peperoncino, garlic, white wine and grilled Pugliese bread
Tuna Salad$32.00
seared yellowfin tuna, baby kale, baby arugula, coriander, avocado, Parmigiano Reggiano, red onion, fennel, Maldon sea salt and lemon vinaigrette

Pizze Napoletane

Lobster$38.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, lobster meat, garlic and basil
Margherita$21.00
mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil
Napoletan Pork$25.00
mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, dried oregano and fresh basil
Pesto & Salame Golfetta$25.00
pesto sauce, mozzarella, salame golfetta, roasted pistachios and stracciatella cheese
Piadina Napoletana$23.00
Chef selection of charcuterie meat, truffle stracciatella cheese, baby arugula and extra virgin olive oil
Prosciutto di Parma$24.00
mozzarella, baby arugula and prosciutto
Stefano$28.00
mushroom cream sauce, mozzarella, smoked speck, stracciatella and white truffle oil
Testarossa$28.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, baby arugula, crispy pancetta, blue cheese and white truffle oil

Pesci e Carni

Braised Lamb Ossobuco$48.00
served with Parmigiano Reggiano risotto
Branzino Baked in Sea Salt$76.00
32 oz fresh Mediterranean Branzino, extra virgin olive oil and grilled vegetables
Chicken Paillard$26.00
thinly pounded grilled chicken breast, baby arugula, heirloom tomatoes and grilled lemon
Halibut alla Sarda$46.00
seared Halibut, zucchini, bell peppers, parsley, crispy prosciutto, garlic and pasta fregola
Lamb T-Bone & Chops$52.00
mint and pea sauce, sautéed seasonal mushrooms, roasted red peppers and crispy brussels sprout
Piedmont Beef Filet$54.00
grilled 8 oz beef filet, creamy mashed potatoes, charred onion and sautéed Chiodini mushrooms
Rib Eye Tagliata$56.00
sliced 14 oz rib eye, arugula, baby cherry heirloom tomatoes, crispy potatoes, Parmesan cheese and mustard demi-glace
Saffron Scallops$42.00
seared scallops with saffron and asparagus risotto
Salmon Acqua Pazza$34.00
kalamata olives, baby heirloom tomatoes, basil, white wine, asparagus and capers
Seafood Cioppino$42.00
shrimp, scallops and mussels, garlic, peperoncino, thyme, heirloom tomatoes, white wine and pomodoro sauce

Homemade Pasta

Beef Ravioli$28.00
braised beef ravioli, sage, red wine and Parmigiano Reggiano
Black Truffle Tagliolini$58.00
butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, truffle oil and fresh black truffle
Gnocchi ai Funghi Silvestri$23.00
roasted mixed mushrooms, cream, garlic and parsley
Pappardelle al Ragú di Ossobuco$34.00
shredded braised veal ossobuco, saffron, pomodoro and Parmigiano Reggiano
Rigatoni All'amatriciana$22.00
guanciale, pomodoro sauce, peperoncino and Parmigiano Reggiano
Tagliatelle Bolognese$24.00
Bolognese sauce and parmesan cheese
Tagliolini Frutti di Mare$31.00
squid ink black tagliolini, shrimp, calamari, scallops, mussels, clams, garlic, peperoncino, white wine, basil and pomodoro sauce
Tagliolini Lobster$48.00
white wine saffron lobster sauce
Truffle Cheese Ravioli$26.00
fontina, Taleggio and Parmigiano Reggiano, homemade cheese ravioli in a truffle Parmesan creamy sauce

Alla Griglia

Bistecca alla Fiorentina$148.00
42 oz Prime Porterhouse served tableside
Costata di Manzo$84.00
grilled 22 oz prime Cowboy

Contorni

Brussels Sprout$10.00
fried brussels sprout with Italian saba balsamic vinegar
Crispy Potatoes$10.00
garlic, rosemary, thyme and olive oil
Sage Polenta & Seasonal Mushroom$12.00
Wild Mushrooms$14.00
mix of wild mushrooms, sautéed with olive oil, whole roasted garlic, rosemary and parsley

What 1,057 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Zanti Cucina Italiana in River Oaks offers a "beautiful venue" with an inviting ambiance perfect for special occasions. Guests rave about the "fantastic service," delightful menu featuring truffle pasta and lobster dishes, and "attentive staff." While the atmosphere is lively, some find it a bit loud. Overall, it's a top-notch Italian dining experience.

1,057 Reviews

M
Mason
Houston
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very nice Italian food. Prefix menu for special events like NYE is limited. Overall a bit over priced for what it is. But still a nice place to celebrate
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J
Jay
VIP
Houston
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were there for a menu fixe for New Year’s Eve - it was outstanding - and look forward to returning to sample dishes on their regular menu. Our waiter Brian is completely knowledgeable and helpful about Zanti’s cuisine, chef, food prep and wines. Excellent upscale restaurant for a fine dinner out.
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E
Enrique
VIP
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We spent New Year’s Eve at the Zanti with young kids. The service was excellent, and waiters were patient and friendly with our kids. It was a fix menu, and all the items were delightful. Overall, had a great experience and it was priced decently.
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M
Mark
New York City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous food and service. Thank you for a wonderful evening.
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S
Sarah
Houston
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
I usually love Zanti but this time it was not an enjoyable experience. I made reservations for standard seating and was sat in the bar area. We ordered and the food came out within minutes, cold. The server was nice but did not check on us much. The bill was $120 for cold food and bad service. Won’t be back.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 2 days ago
Hi Sarah, we're really sorry to hear about your recent experience at Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks. It's disappointing to know that we didn't meet your expectations this time around. We pride ourselves on our service and it's clear we missed the mark. We take your feedback seriously and will work on improving the areas you've highlighted. We hope you'll give us another chance in the future to show you the dining experience we're known for.
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R
Ricardo
VIP
Houston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great services , mona was a great waitress the best
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 5 days ago
Thanks for the review, Ricardo! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience at Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks. It's fantastic to know that our service and food met your expectations. We always strive to provide our guests with the best dining experience possible. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to serving you again soon!
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O
Oswelia
VIP
Houston
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
In general was a good experience. I was a little surprise that you didn’t have a special menu or dish considering the holiday so food wise it felt like any other night. The food was served so fast that we hadn’t even taken three sips of our drinks, we put our dishes aside to enjoy our drinks. It also felt like you were ready to turn the table. Our waitress was fantastic! Thank you.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 5 days ago
Thanks for the review, Oswelia! We're delighted to hear that you had a good experience at Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks. We apologize if the service speed was a bit unexpected, we're glad you enjoyed your drinks and the food. We're always looking to improve, and your feedback is valuable in that regard. We hope to welcome you back soon!
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P
Pioneer
VIP
San Francisco
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Gent’s It was my first time at Zanti, food, service and ambient are good. Place with good vibes Next time I will go with my wife
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded 2 days ago
Hi Pioneer! Thank you for your kind words and for choosing Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food, service, and the ambiance of our place. We're always striving to provide a great dining experience for our guests. We noticed that you rated our value 4, and we appreciate your feedback. We're always working to improve and we hope that next time you and your wife visit, we can meet your expectations.
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C
Christina
Houston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Celeste was absolutely amazing. We had a show to get to and she timed our courses very well. Inside is beautiful. The wine list is extensive and they have a great selection of Super Tuscans. We will be back!
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on December 24, 2024
Hi Christina! We're thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience at Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks! It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the ambiance, food, and wine selection. We take pride in our timing and we're glad that it was to your advantage. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
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D
Dr Lawrence
VIP
Dallas
46 reviews
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Too much noise. Suggest turn down music so people don’t have to talk over it. Excellent food and service.
Zanti Cucina Italiana - River OaksResponded on December 23, 2024
Thanks for the review, Dr Lawrence! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and service at Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks. We appreciate your feedback about the noise level and we'll definitely take it into consideration. We're committed to providing an enjoyable dining experience for all our guests. We look forward to serving you again soon!
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FAQs

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (281) 378-4890.

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks is rated 4.7 stars by 1057 OpenTable diners.