Bari Hospitality Group announces the anticipated opening of Bari Ristorante The Woodlands on September 30 at 24 Waterway Avenue. The 9,000-square-foot Italian hotspot will serve lunch and dinner daily, with weekend brunch beginning October 4.
Tagliere di Carne | Photo by Becca Wright
Master Chef Renato de Pirro | Photo by Quit Nguyen
THE EXPERTISE
Bari Ristorante blends Italian culinary tradition with a contemporary approach, featuring fresh, flavorful dishes made from scratch. The menu includes European cheeses, dry-cured meats, fish sourced from Europe and house-made pastas prepared with imported Italian flour.
Italian Master Chef Renato de Pirro and Executive Chef Marcelo Mintz will lead the opening, with Mintz remaining to oversee daily culinary operations. Originally from Brazil, Mintz brings experience across a range of cuisines, developed while working alongside leading chefs in Italy, Las Vegas, and New York.
THE CUISINE
Guests will find many favorites from Bari’s original River Oaks District location, including Fritto Misto, Pappardelle Bolognese, Scaloppine and Bari’s popular pizzas. Signature tableside experiences such as Branzino alla Griglia, Truffle Pasta, and Bananas Foster will also be offered, along with new dishes created exclusively for The Woodlands.
“Guests from The Woodlands have supported Bari from the beginning," said Pedro Teyuca, Co-owner and Operator of Bari Hospitality Group. "They often traveled to our River Oaks District location and asked us to bring the experience closer to home. We listened. This new restaurant delivers the quality, energy and hospitality they know while giving Chef Marcelo Mintz and our culinary team room to create something distinctly suited to The Woodlands.”
New appetizers created for The Woodlands include Tagliere di Carne with prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, finocchiona, bresaola and accompaniments; Tagliere di Formaggi featuring Italian cheeses, honeycomb, berries, and Marcona almonds; Crab Fingers “Scampi” in a spicy lemon-butter sauce; Culaccia e Melone pairing 24-month culaccia di Parma with melon and burrata; Polpo Arrosto with roasted potato cream and roasted-garlic sauce; Breaded Fried Burrata served with pesto, focaccia, and marinara; and Supplì di Riso, breaded risotto balls with Bolognese and mozzarella.
New entrées include Pollo Piccata with lemon-caper sauce, sautéed spinach, and roasted potatoes; Scaloppine Sorrentina topped with cherry-tomato sauce and mozzarella di bufala; and a grilled Chicken Sandwich with pesto, tomato, and shallot mayonnaise. The menu also introduces tableside Chateaubriand and Fiorentina, along with Gnocchi di Patate with wild mushrooms and house-made sausage; Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe; Risotto al Pesto with prawns, tomato confit, and olive dust; and Lasagna Casareccia layered with Bolognese and mozzarella.
Bari Ristorante Dining Room | Photo by Quit Nguyen
THE AMBIENCE
The design carries the colors and visual language of Bari's River Oaks District restaurant, incorporating lava-rock wallcovering, wallpapers from Spain, and Lladro chandeliers. The 250-seat space includes more than 3,000 square feet dedicated to the front of the house, two private dining rooms, and a bar lounge. Two large back-of-house kitchens support catering and to-go orders, while a commissary kitchen is dedicated to producing house-made pastas, gelatos, sauces, and breads. For private events, each dining room accommodates up to 40 guests and the rooms can be combined. The lounge accommodates 30.
BUSINESS & HAPPY HOURS
Bari Ristorante The Woodlands will be open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Weekend brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bari Ristorante The Woodlands will offer weekday happy hours with guest favorites, including $10 burgers, $10 individual pizzas, meatballs, and more. Weekend brunch service will begin October 4.
