Antonio's Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Darien

We had looked forward to dinner here, especially after seeing the great reviews, and to say underwhelming is an understatement. We started out with limoncello martinis. My g/f arrived before us and hers was pretty with a floating circle of lemon...mine arrived with a wedge on the side of the glass like it was iced tea. Not as esthetically pleasing and so odd it wasn't served the same way. Although, it was tasty. For appetizers we had fried calamari, which is very light, and the burrata and prosciutto. These were both nice. For mains, I had been craving the lamb and was so excited to try it; it was served over cooked and with steamed(?) brussels and purple cauliflower, which was so mushy, bland and tasteless I had to add salt (which I never do). The Fish portion was miniscule and again, zero flavor. (Note, I rarely use salt in my dishes and for us to ADD salt is saying something.) At this point in our dinner the fire alarm started going off. Everyone stopped talking, looked around for smoke/smell of smoke, but servers simply went and opened the front and back doors as if it happens regularly. Nothing was said or anything. A few minutes later the firetrucks arrived. Again, no apologies or even an acknowledgement from the manager walking around. I mean, it happens, but for there to be ZERO said or simply, "Apologies for that..." rubbed me wrong. Our friends got a pistachio cake for dessert, which they liked. Our server was lovely, although seemed to have too many tables. We had to ask for extras like plates or knives, etc. I'm not sure why it was so off for us, when apparently people really love this place. Maybe we'll give it another shot...but with other options I already love more,...

I had my daughter’s baby shower at Antonio’s. I am not from CT so we carefully chose a restaurant that was classy and elegant and we were not disappointed. Abbe was professional, kind and patient from our first meeting to the day of the event. He took time to walk us through the planning, offering his suggestions, never overbearing, always calm and attentive to our needs and questions. We exchanged phone calls and texts throughout the entire process where he kept me informed on the upcoming shower. His gentle aura and kind demeanor reassured me that we were in good hands. My sister and I made a return trip to have lunch prior to the shower. Abbe spent time with us and gave additional insight regarding the room layout and seating. He treated us to lunch as well. The shower was beautiful! We were allowed to come in early to set up, which was very much appreciated. The food was outstanding! Three appetizers, salad and five entrees to choose from. Wine was always flowing at the tables. Multiple people expressed how delicious it was. Abbe kept me informed of what was coming out next, when it would be a good time for cake, just helping the day move along without stress or being rushed. The wait staff was outstanding as well and even took photos with my family. They were very warm and inviting. A very memorable day for everyone and I thank Antonio’s and staff for making my daughter’s baby shower a day she will...

My friend and I recently visited Antonio’s based on a recommendation, and here’s what we experienced. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana along with a side of penne pasta, and I must say, it was one of the best eggplant parms I’ve enjoyed in a restaurant. However, there were a few shortcomings that impacted our experience.

For instance, I was surprised to be charged $12 for a small side order of penne. The Eggplant was a small portion at $25 .Additionally, the service left much to be desired. We felt rushed and somewhat unwelcomed throughout our meal. Please note , we were dining at 4:30 with one other table occupied. At one point, our server attempted to clear plates while one of us was still eating, and they also took away the salt and olive oil towards the end of our dining experience.

When I choose to dine out, especially at a higher-end restaurant, I expect an experience that includes both great food and attentive service. Unfortunately, Antonio’s didn’t quite meet those...