“Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars…”

From the moment you open the glass etched door of Antonella’s Italian Ristorante you feel as if you’ve walked back in time into a Frank Sinatra movie, half expecting the rest of the Rat Pack such as Sammy Davis Jr or Dean Martin to come waltzing by your table drinking a martini while crooning a jazzy tune.

It is a true New York City experience in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina.

From the charming atmosphere to the excellent authentic Italian cuisine, and first class service, I was floating on cloud nine. I wanted to drink it all in and let it permeate my state of mind.

The gorgeous fresh flower arrangements— tonight’s happened to be my favorite hydrangeas— by candlelight creates a table set for culinary mastery.

This adorable woman, Stephanie, set the bar high for servers. She was professional, kind, thorough, attentive… and precious. Great service goes a long way.

Good job! 👏

Stephanie guided us along our journey of the menu and favored dishes we should give a try. Not to mention the vast selection of cocktails and wines.

Our first course began with a beautiful fresh salad topped with Antonella’s homemade cucumber dressing and a delicious savory soup.

I was then treated with the most refreshing mango martini 🍸 that put a smile on my face and a glint in my eyes.

For our main course, we went with two of Stephanie’s top suggestions. I chose a decadent Mediterranean dish served with shrimp and breadcrumb crusted salmon atop cream sauce. My husband went with a classic Spaghetti Sicilian topped with scrumptious shrimp.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

We were both in a New York state-of-mind— cue Billy Joel, Mr. Piano Man.

Stephanie was genuinely ecstatic that our experience at Antonella’s was phenomenal. 😍

For diners looking for a more casual experience there is outdoor dining on the bistro patio overlooking the quaint sidewalks and hustle and bustle of Hay Street.

According to the restaurant‘s Facebook page, it is owned and operated by Chef Antonella Giannone Scibilia who is originally from Brooklyn, New York.

Antonella’s Italian Ristorante was chosen as Fayetteville’s best downtown restaurant in Up and Coming Weekly’s 2018 Best of Fayetteville Awards.

I could not agree more.

To learn more about this first class dining experience in our downtown, go here: https://www.facebook.com/Antonellas-Italian-Ristorante-1231244156989396/

You must give it a try. I promise you will not be disappointed.

-Alison Paul Klakowicz, BA, MS

Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

Instagram @alisonklak

Twitter @KlakowiczAlison

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Alison Paul Klakowicz is a North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.