Anthony’s Ristorante: A Masterclass in Sicilian Restraint (and Indulgence)

 I’d been watching the progression of Anthony’s Ristorante for months — the elegant signage, the tantalizing “Coming Soon” promise — like a food lover stalking destiny. When the doors finally opened, I told myself I’d just stop in for a glass of wine and a quick peek at the menu.

Spoiler: I stayed for four courses and left emotionally attached.

There are restaurants that feed you and restaurants that seduce you. Anthony’s does both — with the kind of confidence only a kitchen fluent in Sicilian can muster.

Every plate that leaves the pass seems to whisper “trust me.” And wisely, you should. The arancini arrive golden and unapologetic with a beautiful lobster claw that yelled "eat me first", the homemade pasta's perfectly al dente — not the least bit shy about its appearance and flavor. The mushroom, and squid ink pastas carry that rare balance between coastal simplicity and unapologetic decadence — as if the Mediterranean itself had been reduced and plated.

The service is quietly orchestrated — polished without pretense, attentive without intrusion. The wine list reads like an Italian romance: deep, dramatic, and best enjoyed slowly. AND the piano bar, it’s not just a piano bar — it’s Sicily’s heartbeat set to a melody.

Décor? Timeless without cliché. A few glances at the candlelight glinting off glassware and you’ll forget whether you’re in the suburbs or somewhere along the Sicilian coast, plotting your next espresso.

Anthony’s isn’t chasing trends — it’s perfecting memory. Each dish feels like something your grandparents would have eaten, had they possessed a Michelin guide and a better table.

Verdict: A restaurant that doesn’t just serve Sicilian cuisine — it curates it. Bring an appetite, a companion with opinions and a love for classic cocktail recipes, fresh ingredients, and a bartender who measures by instinct, not ounces, and just enough self-control not to lick the plate.  Anthony's Ristorante located on Court St. in beautiful Downtown Bay St. Louis, MS.....