There may be many high end Italian restaurants in Queens, but few offer the quality of food, ambience and service you will find at Anthony’s in Bayside.
As soon as you enter you notice the gently-lit room with flower-filled tables and a wall of beautiful etched glass.
The restaurant has three areas for dining with the glass decor separating the central room and offering a separate space for a party. To add to the environment, on the weekend, live music enhances the dinner meal. The elegant rooms are decorated with many oil paintings featuring classical scenes. My favorites were the maritime scenes.
Within moments of our being seated we were offered an overflowing basket of just-fried, hot, skinny-cut potato chips. There is also an ample selection of warm bread.
We checked the wine list and it offers a wide variety of fairly-priced bottles. There is also a wide selection of wines by the glass starting at a modest $6.
We began our meal by selecting from the extensive appetizer choices. We had an unusual layered Portobello mushroom with Prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella, topped by a sun dried tomato and a drizzle of tasty olive oil. The dish is easily shared because the portion is so large.
Our main courses of gnocchi in a Bolognese meat sauce was cooked to perfection and the sauce was the best I ever had.
With many seafood and traditional veal, steak and chicken dishes, my favorite was the Veal Anthony, a mouthwatering combination of veal topped with prosciutto, eggplant and mozzarella cheese, glazed in a Sherry wine sauce.
There are many choices on the amazingly-reasonable early bird menu (noon to 4:30 p.m.). A four-course meal is priced at $13.95. Each evening a price fixed dinner can be had for $23.95 and on weekends only $2 more.
Of course, no meal is complete without a delicious dessert. And Anthony’s owner/chef James Bianchi prepares jewels of sumptuousness. The homemade pies and cakes are so good you should ask to buy one to take home. There is also a choice of flavorful sherbet; my favorite was the pineapple, presented inside a quarter of the fruit.
This is more than just your neighborhood restaurant. Try it, you’ll love it!
Anthony’s Restaurant
222-02 union Turnpike Bayside
718-468-6020
Open seven days: Monday to Friday opens at noon; Saturday 4-10 p.m.; Sunday 2-9 p.m.
Catering, private parties and gift certificates available
All major credit cards accepted
www.anthonysonunion.com
