As part of our ongoing "Getting to Know Your Local Businesses" series, this week we sat down with Eddie Ghazal, owner of Zammitti’s Italian Ristoranté.

As before, we offer a wide selection of appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, wine and beer, including some favorites such as Chicken Marsala and the Mediterranean Affair – my creation and a customer favorite.

The restaurant originally opened February, 2011.

How did you decide to get involved in this line of work?
My father was Italian, and my mother Lebanese and they had one thing in common; they both loved the best food! They both passed on their recipes to me from past generations. Being raised in a melting pot of cultures, I developed a passion for and knowledge about a diverse array of foods.
My restaurant experience in the Houston area furthered my exposure to different foods, including steak and other gourmet delicacies, along with a French cuisine experience. I worked at La Tour D'Argent, a French restaurant on Ella Blvd., as well as multiple restaurants between Houston and Galveston, including an Italian restaurant, The San Luis Steakhouse, the private Harbor Walk Yacht Club and another restaurant offering gourmet cuisine. Those experiences helped me hone my skills and kept my desire growing toward one day owning my own restaurant.
In 2005 while at The San Luis Steakhouse, I was awarded Manager of the Year in Galveston County and the restaurant was honored under my tenure as a distinguished restaurant (#47) in North America, Canada, and the Americas. Wine Spectator Magazine also acknowledged the restaurant as having the best wine selections in the U.S. in 2005.

Tell us a couple things you are proud of your business. What are you known for? What separates you from the competition?
We are proud to offer more than exquisite cooking; we make a memorable meal. With the highest quality of fresh ingredients and outstanding service, we create an unforgettable dining experience on the lake with a Sicilian flare.
No one could have foreseen the hurricane aftermath; for us, it’s been a year and a half nightmare.
We are so thankful to all who supported us. We had loyal customers here helping us immediately clean up and bringing food and water for our team. Our staff continued to stay connected with us.

What is your favorite part of running this business?
I love greeting and visiting with my numerous loyal, repeat customers. They’ve been patiently waiting for us to re-open. I’m usually the first and last person that they see when they visit. I’ve made so many good friends in this community! 
The same front of the house and kitchen staff (seven total) are returning to serve our customers again; it’s an unbelievable blessing! I also love working with my son, Robin, who manages our amazing servers and kitchen staff, as well as oversees our public relations efforts.