Owner Enrique Orioli, who also operates Via Emilia on Kuykendahl Road, said things are beginning to look up for the wine bar as more customers are beginning to return since key features, such as brunch and live music, are available again.
Bringing a taste of Italy
Orioli said among the major inspirations for bringing the wine bar to The Woodlands were trips to visit family in Italy, where they would often visit similar establishments.
“We always knew The Woodlands would have the perfect location for it,” Orioli said. “I remember my father mentioning [the word] ‘avanti,’ which means ‘forward,’ so the name kind of stuck around.”
The menu of Avanti features classic Italian dishes, including homemade pastas, fresh seafood and a variety of appetizers, although Orioli said each is given a more modern twist.
“We visited a lot of wine bars while we were in Italy,” he said. “We took a lot of pictures and notes ... and a lot of menu items we got while we were there.”
Among Orioli’s favorite items on the menu are the branzino, or grilled Mediterranean sea bass; braised beef ribs; and the gamberi fra diavolo, which consists of a grilled jumbo prawn, bucatini pasta and San Marzono tomatoes.
“I cannot get tired of [the branzino],” he said. “I eat it as many times as I can.”
Along with the Italian menu, Orioli said the focus of Avanti is its wine selection, which features a rotating menu of drinks from around the world. The idea, he said, is to be able to provide a place for people to learn about wine by offering flights—an assortment of samples—and tastings. Wine dinners are planned throughout the year for enthusiasts as well.
Recently, Avanti acquired a liquor license following customer feedback that expressed a desire for cocktails, which have since become a part of the regular bar menu.
Orioli said being a family-owned and -operated Italian business sets Avanti apart, and he and his family put a lot of hard work into making sure food is made consistently with quality ingredients.
“For guests that have not had a chance to join us, we would love for them to have the opportunity to come and visit us,” Orioli said. “Give us a chance to impress you.”
Changes during the pandemic
Orioli said he tried to keep Avanti up and running when coronavirus restrictions were first announced for restaurants in March, but due to the restaurant still being new at the time, it did not have the customer base to sustain itself on only curbside and delivery options and had to close.
To reopen, Orioli said his staff have adjusted to new regulations, including checking staff members’ temperatures, cleaning the restaurant more regularly and using disposable menus.
Orioli added because of the changes that have been made, he has felt comfortable enough to bring back live music performances on Fridays and Saturdays.
Orioli also brought back Avanti’s brunch menu effective June 14, which he said was a popular option for guests.
“We have made a lot of changes,” he said. “It has been a bit overwhelming, but there is a lot of positive feedback. It is all worth it when customers are happy and they are coming back. We are seeing a good atmosphere and a good ambience.”
Avanti Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
8540 Creekside Forest Drive, Ste. C-100, The Woodlands
281-377-1777
www.avantiitaliankitchen.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
