Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

4.7

1058 Reviews

$50 and over

Italian

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2 people

2 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 25 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
Area
River Oaks
Cross Street
Driscoll St
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

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Experiences

Zanti RO power lunch
US$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
US$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

PiccoloUS$28.00
2 meats and 1 cheese
MedioUS$38.00
3 meats and 2 cheese
GrandeUS$58.00
4 meats and 3 cheese

Antipasti

Black Truffle Beef TartareUS$28.00
hand-cut beef tenderloin, truffle oil, sun-dried tomatoes, celery, Parmigiano Reggiano, capers, parsley, arugula and Dijon lemon dressing
Burrata CapreseUS$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 ParmigianaUS$13.00
eggplant, melted mozzarella cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil and pomodoro
Fritto Misto MediterraneoUS$26.00
calamari, shrimp and artichokes, fried, served with arrabbiata, garlic aioli and grilled lemon
Mediterranean HummusUS$13.00
chickpea spread, Kalamata and Cerignola olives, mint, extra virgin olive oil and Sardinian Carasau bread
Mussels alla TarantinaUS$25.00
pomodoro sauce, peperoncino and white wine
Octopus CarpaccioUS$24.00
fennel, heirloom cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette
Scampi Aglio Olio & PeperoncinoUS$24.00
grilled shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, peperoncino, lemon zest, parsley and grilled lemon
Zanti ArtichokeUS$18.00
artichoke hearts, pancetta, sundried tomatoes, basil, white wine and stracciatella cheese

Insalate & Soup

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

Pizze Napoletane

LobsterUS$38.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, lobster meat, garlic and basil
MargheritaUS$21.00
mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil
Napoletan PorkUS$25.00
mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, dried oregano and fresh basil
Pesto & Salame GolfettaUS$25.00
pesto sauce, mozzarella, salame golfetta, roasted pistachios and stracciatella cheese
Piadina NapoletanaUS$23.00
Chef selection of charcuterie meat, truffle stracciatella cheese, baby arugula and extra virgin olive oil
Prosciutto di ParmaUS$24.00
mozzarella, baby arugula and prosciutto
StefanoUS$28.00
mushroom cream sauce, mozzarella, smoked speck, stracciatella and white truffle oil
TestarossaUS$28.00
white Parmesan sauce, mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, baby arugula, crispy pancetta, blue cheese and white truffle oil

Pesci e Carni

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

Homemade Pasta

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

Alla Griglia

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

Contorni

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

What 1,058 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.

1,058 Reviews

J
Janitsa
Houston
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Ambience was nice, service was nice and not too delayed despite being NYE and super busy. Drinks are delicious, but the food… oh the food… only the salmone appetizer was delicious. The gnoccheti with wild boar had a good flavor but very salty, the halibut broth tasted like a campbell canned soup, same exact flavor on the risotto. Very terrible quality for a dinner at $140 per person. This is my fourth time going to Zanti and the first to disappoint which makes me think maybe its not ideal going on NYE. Sadly I also noticed my favorite pizza with the golfetta mortadella removed from the menu… starting to think maybe I won’t be coming back for some time.
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M
Mason
Houston
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
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 1 day ago
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 1 day ago
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 2 days 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 4 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 3 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 6 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 6 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 on 25 December 2024
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 6 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 on 25 December 2024
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 3 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 23 December 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 24 December 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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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 1058 OpenTable diners.