Anthony’s debuts in Beach Haven with New York-style Italian fare

Although some regular customers at Anthony’s Trattoria want the new Italian restaurant’s fare to remain a secret, the word has already begun to spread throughout the area.

“It was so good last night, we had to come back for more,” Mike Smith, who was visiting family, told co-owner Vito Santo as the two engaged in a firm handshake.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
The restaurant menu is a spin-off from the owners'
other restaurant, the Elm Park Inn in Staten Island.

“We like good food. The red sauce is the best around,” added Smith’s father, Pete, who had eaten at the Beach Haven restaurant “a few times already.”

“The eggplant parm is the best I’ve ever had,” said Smith’s mother, Debbie.

The family-owned restaurant, which opened Fourth of July weekend, specializes in thin-crusted, brick oven pizza made to order with fresh ingredients, including mozzarella brought in from New York, and prepared by city chefs.

Specialty desserts, including the sweet and creamy New York cheesecake served with two heaping dollops of whipped cream (I can’t believe I ate a whole slice), come from Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, who is also a family relative.

Other big sellers so far include Italian favorites such as stuffed pork chops, stuffed salmon, chicken parmigiana, pork giambotta and seafood fra diavolo.

The menu is a spin-off from the family’s other Italian-American restaurant, the Elm Park Inn, which is currently up for sale after having been a Staten Island icon since the late 1980s.

Anthony’s Trattoria offers strictly Italian fare.

“We wanted to try something new,” said Vito’s wife, Carolyn. “We’re beach people, so we’re here all the time anyway,” she added, noting that their daughter-in-law’s family has been vacationing on Long Beach Island for about 20 years.

“We’re hoping to make a name here,” said Vito.

The restaurant offers beach delivery for those who would like to enjoy their food while catching some rays near the water. Takeout as well as catering trays are also offered. Early-bird specials will be presented in the fall. Reservations are not available.

So far, the restaurant has been “very busy,” and the customer response has been “very good.” If all continues to go well, the family hopes to expand the seating area for larger parties.

“We hope this stays open,” said Smith.

Anthony’s Trattoria, located at 1511 Long Beach Blvd., is currently open seven days a week from noon to 10 p.m. Hours will decrease after Labor Day through Christmas.

For more information, call 609-848-9778.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.