4.5 stars - You could easily pass Zi' Anna driving through Formia, especially heading northbound.
Its waterside location; literally on the dock, adjacent to seafood businesses and parking, a short walk from the passenger ferry port, requires northbound drivers to head down to the rotary, turn around and access from the southbound road.
There is ample covered outdoor seating, a large indoor dining room, and like many long-standing restaurants in this area, Zi' Anna employs professional wait staff, who see their role as your guide to the experience, and take that role seriously. That said, you won't be forgotten wherever you sit, and your server is the best resource for the perfect wine to pair with any of the delicious offerings on their relatively concise menu.
You are in a fishing port, and you are there for expertly-prepared seafood.
Start with the antipasto di mare, alici marinate or insalata di polpo. The gamberetti e rucola are also sublime.
A pasta dish is a must here, and you can't go wrong with most - all of them prepared to a creamy level of refinement that in my opinion is taken for granted by locals.
Staples: linguine agli scampi, risotto alla pescatora, schiaffoni alla Cardinale or with zucchini and gamberi.
Portions are traditionally moderate, so you can have/share an antipasto, pasta dish and a second course.
The fritto misto di mare is a classic, grigliata mista di pesce prepared to perfection, grilled baby calamari are perfectly tender.
We live in NYC so perhaps our pricing expectations are skewed, but $10-12 for a plate of pasta this good is a bargain by us. Generally we are 5-7 people at dinner for a cost of under 200 euros. €30 pp average, including wine, for a meal at this level is hard to beat. We've been out to many meals in Formia and Zi' Anna is a go-to. read more
