Ann & Tony's - An Original Arthur Avenue Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

Goomba

Joined 3 years ago

Fuggedaboutit. This is the most racist and rude restaurant that I have ever been to be in my life. I am black and went in there with 2 of my Spanish friends. The moment we walked in, they looked like us as if we were going to steal old pictures of their Italian ancestors on the walls. When we sat down, the waiter offered us bread, the usual nonsense. We ordered a cold anti-pasto dish and it had prosciutto, mozarrella, olives, some peppers and salami. By the time, we finished ordering the food, the anti-pasto came out. It's like "Are you serious? Did you really chop everything that quickly? That sounds fresh." We took one look at the dish and was not impressed but because we are big foodies, we gave it a chance. Our initial instincts were right. It was like eating mold and mildew. The prosciutto tasted slimy and oily while the olives were so dry and wrinkled, I had to dip them in olive oil to make them look edible. Needless to say, we had to send it back and the waiter got all "Italian" on us and was like "What's wrong with the anti-pasto?" We told them we didn't think it was fresh and he started giving us a lesson how Italian antipasto should be and how it was special salami....Yea, "special salami"--salami that almost broke my teeth. We may not have been Italian or looked rich but I stopped him and said "I've been to Italy. I know what prosciutto tastes like so seriously, check yourself before your wreck yourself....Then the meal came and the meatballs were dry and the size of a baseball and here's a case where size DOES NOT matter. It was gross. In closing, the real reason we went there was because it was highly recommended by all these internet sites and we had a $10 gift certificate but then the goomba waiter said we couldn't use it because we shared. I didn't even want to argue with him at that point. This was the WORST RESTAURANT on earth and I DO NOT recommend it. DO NOT GO THERE!! IT BLOWS ASS and as the Italians would say "Fuggedabout it."

Doesn't Recommend

ddbx524

Joined 5 years ago

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!. NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY!!!!!

I have never been more uncomfortable at a restaurant in my ENTIRE LIFE....I was hoping this was going to be a good review after our meal started off the way it did and I thought we were being treated kindly- but I was very mistaken.

My husband and I took our 11 month old daughter here after a trip to the Bronx Zoo. We always go to Arthur Ave after the Zoo - and have a fantastic time - and this time we were treated like animals ourselves.

When we were setting up my daughters booster seat - we accidentally cracked the glass that sits on top of the table (a thin piece of glass that covers the tablecloth). Needless to say we were absolutely mortified - and offered to pay for the glass numerous times. We were told not to worry about it and to enjoy our meal, which we thought was very nice of them. However, as our meal continued we soon realized that this was not the case.

We were consistently stared down and given looks of disapproval from the gentleman who sat us and stood behind the bar occasionally (unsure if he was the bartender or what his title was), as well as other members of the staff. Then, after a very mediocre meal (food was good but nothing compared to some other restaurants that I have been to on Arthur), we were told by our waiter that we could not use our gift certificate (given to us by my parents from restaurant(dot)com for $25 - and our ONLY reason for choosing their restaurant this time around). He told my husband "Yeaaa if I were you I wouldn't use that - I would hold onto it for next time" --- We couldn't believe it. We still left a $40 tip on a $60 bill to make up for what happened b/c that's what we were going to do anyway - and b/c we expect to be treated the same way that we treat others, but I still am appalled that we were treated like that - and the tip was not deserved. I really cannot describe in words how uncomfortable they made us feel - and I have a feeling if the glass did not break they still would have made us feel somewhat uncomfortable due to our daughter. The stares were indescribable and VERY blatant.

I still feel an uneasy feeling thinking about the entire meal and this was yesterday - and as far as taking our child there we felt like outcasts - do not be fooled by the name of "Family Restaurant" b/c I assure you that it is not. We would have been MORE than happy to pay for the damage we caused - but to tell us that our gift certificate was not welcome and stare at us and literally give us "dirty looks" the entire time is unacceptable.

There are many other fantastic restaurants on Arthur - My advice is pass this one by!

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acb723

Joined 5 years ago

An often overlooked restaurant. With all the good restaurants in Arthur Avenue, it isn't surprising that there might be some that aren't noticed as much as others. Ann and Tony's is one of these restaurants. My boyfriend and I had the place to ourselves on a Thursday night, while I know other restaurants were more crowded. Maybe on the weekend it is busier. Either way, I really enjoyed my dinner here. We started off with very good bread and salad. I had chicken Cardinale for dinner, and it was made with the most incredible mozzarella and proscuitto. They clearly take advantage of having access to the best Italian ingredients from Arthur Avenue. It is not a flashy place, and it doesn't have quite the name recognition of places like Dominick's or Mario's, but it is a great place nonetheless. Enjoy!

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Glennys

Joined 5 years ago

Best of the Best. This is the besttttttttt italian food I have ever tasted in my life. The taste is incredible annd the service is amazing. A place where you can take your family and feel right at home. I usually get the Chicken franchese, one of my favoritesss.. Its amazing.. Props for Chef Tony. You are the best..

Recommends

lulubelle

Joined 10 years ago

a classic family place. i have dined here many times with my family and we always keep coming back for more, the most outstanding thing on the menu seems to be the veal which is really outstanding here particularly the veal oscar. The portions are also very good. This place is the real deal and more private and relaxing than the other restaurants south on the Avenue.

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flittlehouse

Joined 9 years ago

Italian. By far the best fried calamari--never been disappointed. And the other food is just as good. Highly recommend the Penne with sausage and brocolli rabe. Just on the north end of the Arthur Ave. area, this gem is often overlooked.