ChiChi631: Annona Restaurant: The Best Italian Cuisine This Side Of The Atlantic And East Of Little Italy0 comments

As Caroline from the Real Housewives of New Jersey said, “Before I like you, I don’t like you.” As this tends to be my motto as well, it was an unexpected twist that the best Italian meal I’ve had on either side of the Atlantic can be found atop Manhattan Motorcars of the Hamptons.

Owned and run by the Rubio family for more than 30 years, MMH recently opened a brand new 16,000 square foot showroom to house their exclusive selection of luxury cars such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ferrari in Westhampton Beach. And Annona is the luxurious restaurant tucked away on the second floor, with an impact as tasteful as the cars for sale down below. Massive windows, a marble waterfall and sleek bar imported from Italy make Annona a unique evolution from typical Hamptons décor whilst maintaining a unpretentious atmosphere where even celebrities can dine unobserved in the middle of the room.

The inspired menu changes regularly and is governed by the products available at market, especially those from local merchants in Long Island. Annona even tends a large vegetable and herb garden outside the kitchen as a source of fresh produce.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my preferred way to start any night is at the bar, and Annona does not disappoint with its cocktail selection. Our favorite ended up being Brittany’s first choice, the Fleur di Vie – Zygo peach infused vodka, St. Germain elderflower liquor and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. As Brittany said “you can’t go wrong if it has St. Germain…” Furthermore, the wine list is worthy of the most discerning enthusiasts as we opted for Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon respectively.

Our exquisite dinner was complimented by the outstanding service, Antonio Bottero, Annona’s Service Director, was a fresh and handsome personality that made us feel as though we were dining among a staff who truly cared about our experience. For instance, Brittany mentioned to me that she would prefer to have used a spoon for her dish and within seconds, a spoon appeared. When has that ever happened in the city?

We were seated on a charming outdoor balcony and Brittany started with Spaghetti Vongole with littleneck clams, spring garlic, birdseye chile and parsley ($16/26) followed by Pan Roasted Striped Bass with caponata siciliana ($32). Antonio’s recommended special, the Corn Ravioli with Mascarpone Truffle Sauce ($18/28) was better than the pasta I had in Milan at a five star restaurant a month ago. My selection of Four Story Hill Farm’s Veal Chop with spring garlic, haricot vert, carrots and anchovy-porcini sauce ($42) followed and was worth every bite.

An entertaining addition to the menu is a distinctive automobile listed for sale among the dinner specials each evening – a reminder that you are, in fact, not under the Tuscan sun and yes, still technically dining above a car dealership in the Hamptons.

For dessert you cannot go wrong ordering the Mascarpone Cheesecake with maple glaze and crushed walnuts, as it has an indescribable weightlessness unlike anything I have tasted before. However, my favorite of the desserts would be the Annona-cellos – house made lemoncello, strawberrycello, raspberrycello, or peachcello.

Annona is available for catering, which I will hope to start seeing at Estate parties this summer. Otherwise, take advantage of Anonna’s prix fixe menus and happy hour discounts if your wallet isn’t prepared to spend like Tyra Banks, who was also dining at Annona that same evening.

Many thanks to Antonio Bottero and his staff for a rare and unforgettable evening. Please open in Manhattan for the winter! Brittany and I will definitely be returning before the end of summer, hopefully along with many of our readers.