Bari Ristorante opened its second location Sept. 30 at 24 Waterway Ave. in The Woodlands Town Center, filling the space left vacant when TRIS closed in early 2025.
The 9,000-square-foot Italian restaurant seats 250 across a main dining room, two private dining rooms and a bar lounge, according to Hello Woodlands. The TRIS closure was reported by Community Impact. Bari Hospitality Group operates the new location alongside its original restaurant in Houston's River Oaks District.
"Guests from The Woodlands have supported Bari from the beginning, often traveling to our River Oaks District location and asking us to bring the experience closer to home," co-owner Pedro Teyuca said. "We listened."
Executive Chef Marcelo Mintz will run the kitchen day to day. Mintz, originally from Brazil, trained alongside chefs in Italy, Las Vegas and New York. Master Chef Renato de Pirro helped lead the opening.
The menu carries over River Oaks favorites like Fritto Misto, Pappardelle Bolognese and tableside Branzino alla Griglia. But the Woodlands location also debuts more than a dozen exclusive dishes.
New appetizers include Polpo Arrosto with roasted potato cream and garlic sauce, Tagliere di Carne featuring prosciutto di Parma and bresaola, and Breaded Fried Burrata with pesto and marinara. New entrees range from Gnocchi di Patate with wild mushrooms and house-made sausage to tableside Chateaubriand and Risotto al Pesto with prawns.
A dedicated commissary kitchen produces house-made pastas, gelatos, sauces and breads using imported Italian flour. Two additional back-of-house kitchens handle catering and to-go orders.
The design echoes the River Oaks location with lava-rock wall covering, wallpapers sourced from Spain and Lladró chandeliers. Each private dining room holds up to 40 guests and can be combined for larger events.
Weekday happy hour features $10 burgers and $10 individual pizzas.
Weekend brunch launches Sunday, Oct. 4. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Brunch runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
