An authentic, cultured, fine dining restaurant is exactly what we needed in the neighborhoods of The Woodlands, Texas. Zanti Cucina Italiana fits the bill perfectly in the prime location on the corner of Research Forest and Egypt Lane catering to both The Woodlands and Magnolia areas. The food style is Northern Italian, the native cuisine of the head chef Stefano Ferrero. Summarized by their slogan “l’ambiente, la compagnia, and l’ingredient” meaning “the ambience, the company and the ingredients”, the restaurant prides itself on providing more than good food but a complete experience.

The inside is very aesthetic with a lot of exposed brick and wood. The combination of the beautiful light fixtures and large windows and natural light makes the inside feel very open. It was also very clean and tidy (a result of it just being built at the beginning of summer).

The food was very flavorful with an ample serving for the price. Most of the entrees cost from $25-35 and appetizers and desserts are about $10. There are also a lot of options from red sauce to white sauce options, grill and seafood options, pizzas and salads.

As far as service, my waiter was very attentive and friendly. She stopped in often to check on our food but never interrupted our meal or got in the way. My only complaint in this aspect was the noise of the restaurant. It was too loud, particularly in the private dining area, to hear the server or even the people around me. In addition to the exceptional wait service, there was complimentary valet that they have on Friday and Saturday nights which took away the burden of finding a spot in a very packed parking lot.

Overall, my experience at Zanti Cucina Italiana was great enough for me to return and to recommend to others. My only caution is walking in on a Friday or Saturday night because of the crowd. However, the restaurant does take reservations.