Antonina's Ristorante & New York Pizzeria
2361 Augusta Hwy
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 951-1600
www.antoninas.com

Now THAT'S Italian!

Everybody who knows me knows about my passion for little out of the way eating places, especially little out of the way Italian eating places. And, oh, have I found one!

Tucked away on the western edge of the rapidly growing town of Lexington, South Carolina is an absolute Italian jewel. Antonina's Ristorante & New York Pizzeria is one of the best authentic Italian restaurants I have ever experienced. That's right, experienced. You don't just eat there, you experience it.

First of all, Antonina's is owned and operated by a real Italian family, transplants from the streets of New York to this little corner of the rural South, smack in the middle of peach-growing country. Giuseppe - call him "Joe" - Stuppiello has his whole family involved in the business; cooking, waiting tables, seating patrons - whatever needs to be done. And you can tell from the moment you walk through the door that every one of them loves what they do.

The Stuppiellos wear their pride in their family, their heritage and both their native and adopted homes on the walls of their restaurant. And under the glass tops of the tables is a charming family narrative on "The Joy of Growing Up Italian." Take a few minutes to read it.

Then dig in. You'll have a lot of tough choices to make. First you'll have to decide between the pizzeria and the ristorante - they are different parts of the building and even though they're under the same roof, they're like two separate restaurants.

If you choose the pizzeria, you'll be seated at a table with the traditional checkered tablecloth and be presented with a wide variety of the best Neapolitan-style pizzas you will ever put in your mouth. And you can watch it being made right from your table. I mean, when God wants pizza, this is where He orders. It's that good. Fresh dough, fresh toppings and a to-die-for crust that I'm sure meets or exceeds the standards set by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. Best of all - it's cheap. $1.75 a slice, $10.99 for the whole pie! Some of the chain places charge twice as much for this kind of pizza and don't have half the quality to back it up.

If you choose the ristorante, you're in for another treat. White linen tablecloths, candles, flowers, soft Italian music - it's perfect! And then there's the food! No chain restaurant fake Italian stuff here. No cutesy

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