By Justin Williamson
I hope that by now all of you have made your way to Anthony’s new location on Madison Street in Whiteville. It’s hard to call it new, as it’s been a few years now, but I’m sure some they still think of them as being in the old Mama Rita’s location behind the strip. They made the move to accommodate a larger setting and it works very well.
Atmosphere: As an upscale Italian restaurant, it has a very classy rustic vibe. Featuring exposed brick and an open flow with old-world decor that harkens back the the old building’s nuance. I love the settled color palate and calm environment. It’s relaxed enough to eat here regularly with your family. Though it has become a place suited to an intimate dinner date or conversation paired with a glass of wine or a drink served from their full bar service. Larger parties are accommodated with expandable seating sections in the next room or up front by the windows.
Service here has always been more than acceptable. They offer great care from a personable and knowledgeable staff that will take great care of you. Wait times can creep up during peak times, so plan ahead. Tip: Park around back… they have a rear entrance that is much more accessible than trying to do the streetside entrance.
The menu is standard Italian fare: pizza, stromboli, pastas, salads, bread, etc., but all is cooked well and prepared fresh. Portions are large, but not extravagant. You will get more than enough, don’t worry. This is not one of those places that give you enough for three meals and it’s so overwhelming and you feel like a glutton. It hits just about right and fair for the price.
On our last visit, we started with salads and bread. I ordered the baked ziti and my wife chose the seafood pasta. I am a ziti fan — it’s always fun and easy to eat as well as being a very nice conduit for sauce delivery. Their seafood dish is my wife’s favorite. It’s an ample serving of shrimp, scallops, and clams with a garlic-butter sauce that she really loves. All was filling and wonderful.
Rating Anthony’s is fairly straightforward, I give them a 5/5 as they deliver on the experience that you expect: Great food at fair prices with solid service in a nice atmosphere. Stop in and get an Encore-Worthy meal this week.
Our Five-Point Rating Scale:
Missed the Beat – Needs more fine-tuning to get it right.
Warming Up – Promising, but missing a few key elements to make it memorable.
Finding the Groove – A solid experience with potential for growth.
In the Zone – Near perfect, with only minor tweaks needed.
Encore-Worthy – An experience you’ll rave about to everyone.
As always, please help keep our local business owners going #CoCostrong! Feel free to reach out to me at positiveflownc@gmail.com for feedback or comments.
Thanks for reading,
Justin Williamson
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