Antonio's goes alfresco

Imported cheeses, fine wines from around the globe and authentic Italian dishes are just some of the items found at Antonio's La Fiamma Ristorante in Maitland.

But after 20 years of serving the community, Antonio's is now offering something new in their restaurant — open-air dining.

"I think there's a lot of excitement within the community and obviously within the four walls here," Antonio's manager George Williston said. "It's going to offer the community something they don't have."

The restaurant is currently renovating and expanding their upstairs dining and bar area on the south side of the building to offer customers a spacious lounge area, as well as 30 open-air seats overlooking Lake Lily, at a time when many restaurants are struggling just to stay open.

"Our sales were positive sales over last year… and it's because the community has supported us for 20 years now," Williston said.

Loyal customers

Nina Oppenheim has been one of these supporters. She said she has been a loyal customer of Antonio's since they first opened and is very excited about the change the renovation will bring.

"They've always been so accommodating," she said. "And I'm really looking forward to [the renovation]; it will be wonderful."

Oppenheim also said one of the reasons she has always appreciated Antonio's is because they offer a wide variety of menu items, which are made to order, so that she can keep kosher.

"Our food is made from scratch every day," Williston said. "There's not one microwave in the entire restaurant."

The restaurant does not cut corners when it comes to their dishes, he said, and is trying to stick to the same perfection motto when it comes to the construction process. They'll be meeting with their contractor every Friday to go over plans and coordinate times available for working. This way, they can stick to their schedule and stay open through the entire remodeling process.

"It's going very well and is on schedule," Antonio's owner Greg Gentile said. "And our goal is not to close — that's why we have to have a lot of coordination."

The restaurant began construction in September and their goal is to have the renovation and expansion completed by Dec. 1.

New features

During the remodeling, the restaurant is also trying to accommodate the customers by offering complimentary valet parking.

Upon completion of the project, a covered parking facility to the south side of the building will also be added, so that no parking will be lost in the process.

The renovations will also include an extension of the upstairs kitchen, as well as an extension to the bar. A new, more contemporary Italian design with four European doors at the entrance of the added patio will also be installed.

"It will still look very traditional, but more modern," Gentile said. "And when the weather is really nice like we've recently had, we will open up the doors and the whole restaurant will be like alfresco."

The restaurant is also looking forward to offering the community more private venues in the added dining area.

"It will be really nice to have a Saturday afternoon wedding up here with the doors open," Williston said. "This is going to open up a whole new avenue for us."

Gentile is hoping these new changes will continue to welcome a community that has supported them for so long.

"The only thing you can bet on is change," Gentile said. "And we are changing with the times."

For more information on Antonio's wine shop, café and deli, visit www.antoniosonline.com