Addison’s Antonio Ristorante offers irresistible wine list, from-scratch cooking with lots of personality

Antonio Ristorante is the kind of place you sneak off to when you want a really good bottle of well-prced Barolo or maybe Chianti, a big plate of al dente cheese ravioli and maybe some nice meatballs to wind up the day. The Addison restaurant’s chef and co-owner, Antonio Avona, has worked in some top rated restaurants throughout Dallas in his thirty-plus year career, which means he knows what you want, what you want to spend and how to wow you. You might have to wait for a table at peak times, since a steady beat of regulars fills the place most nights.

Better to arrive hungry for something on Antonio’s lunch menu, where you can get in and out quickly and leave with a pocketful of change from your twenty spot. Co-owner Sean Moore is seriously committed to offering wines at best-in-town prices. “We want you to drink great wine and I want you to feel like you’re getting a bargain,” he says, “so we offer the wines at great prices.” When is the last time you saw a bottle of Lewis chardonnay for $67, or 2013 Silver Oak Alexander Valley cab for $103? Those are nearly supermarket prices. (The values on good Italian wines are even better.)

“We believe in making customers happy. We’ll cook you whatever you want if we have the ingredients.,” says Avona. “I cut all the prime steaks myself and use the trim for carpaccio. I filet all the fish, make all the pizza dough with a beer yeast. Want frog’s legs? Tell me in advance and I’ll go to the Asian market and buy live frogs for you.And if you want a birthday cake, I’ll make you one. No charge.”

Antonio Ristorante, 4985 Addison Circle, 972-458-1010. Photos: Facebook.