Anthony's Lounge & Ristorante — Restaurant in Murrieta

I have never been treated so poorly at any establishment.

So my wife and I made a last second decision to try and sneak a date in after a very long day. We wanted to try something new and this place was close and looked great. So we thought we'd give it a try. We weren't dressed up, but by no means were we untidy.

We stood at the host station for about 2 mins before being addressed. The waiter came over and asked if we'd been helped and then told us that we needed a reservation to sit in the dining room but the lounge was open and had plenty of tables to choose from.

We then started to walk in and were stopped after about 5 feet by an old man (I believe he is the owner) and told that the room is completely booked and needed a reservation. We told him that the waiter (no where to be found now) told us they tables were available. We were basically pushed out of the restaurant for no apparent reason. He seemed to backtrack a bit in broken english, but by that time I was too angry to even listen, we called him "Rude" and left.

Here's the kicker ... from the parking lot I called to try to make a "Reservation" ... they told me they couldn't accommodate us until 8PM (it was around 6 at this point). I then asked if they had open seating in the lounge to which he replied "It's first come, first serve, but you have to be here to get a table." ... There were literally 4 table open when we were there 2 mins earlier.

We just ended up going to "The Mill" almost next door and had excellent food and customer service.

Maybe he was threatened by having a real Italian visit his establishment? We'll never know, but I do know that I will make every effort to make sure my story is shared with EVERYONE I know and I'm a very well...

Our evening at Anthony’s Lounge & Ristorante in Murrieta was one to remember—an authentic Italian experience full of heart, flavor, and warmth. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed like family. The atmosphere was intimate yet lively, with the kind of old-world charm that’s hard to find anymore.

To start, we ordered cocktails. I had the Forbidden Fruit, a beautifully balanced drink that was both refreshing and complex, with just the right touch of sweetness. My wife chose the Espresso Martini, and it was a standout—smooth, bold, and energizing, with rich coffee notes that made it the perfect aperitif.

For our mains, I chose the Spaghetti al Pesto, which was absolutely spectacular. The pesto was bright and aromatic, clinging perfectly to each strand of pasta—simple, classic, and expertly done. My wife’s Spaghetti Marinara was equally delightful, with a rich tomato sauce that tasted as though it had simmered all day—deep, comforting, and full of flavor.

But the most unexpected and heartwarming part of the night came after dinner, when the owner personally brought us a complimentary Strawberry Tiramisu. It was a twist on the classic dessert, light and creamy with fresh strawberry notes that made each bite feel like a celebration. The gesture alone spoke volumes about the care and pride that goes into everything at Anthony’s.

In a world full of chain restaurants and rushed service, Anthony’s Lounge & Ristorante is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just a place to eat—it’s a place to savor, to slow down, and to connect. We left full, happy, and already planning...

I saw on their door and google that they closed at 10pm, so we walked in at 8:45pm. I was told the kitchen was closed, which is insane, more than an hour before closing? On a Saturday night!? I was tired, starving, and had a very long day. Just looking for a comforting meal. We were reluctantly seated in a weird high top in the bar area, I almost left. Thankfully the manager came to the rescue and sat us in the dining room. However, we couldn’t help but feeling rushed. Our food came out literally on top of itself, apps and meals basically at once. I get it??? … the kitchen closing over an hour before they close thing... The food was below subpar. I’m from the suburbs of NYC, I’m spoiled on Italian food, so I tried giving this place some slack. We got the meatballs and calamari as apps. The calamari was straight from restaurant depot, and may have even been freezer burned. I got the veal scallopini, but it wasn’t traditional veal scallopini, not even close. My partner got the veal saltimbocca, which was also a very skewed version of the dish. I think I had more pieces of raw minced garlic than I did meat. My dish was over salted and the flavors did not have enough time to meld together. The wine selection was also disappointing. I don’t even know what to say, other than I have no idea how this place has such...