“Any publicity is good publicity.” Those were the final and prophetic words of the hostess at Antonia’s as I left the restaurant this evening on my second, and final, visit. My family had an absolutely horrific dining experience. Antonia’s seemed to think it would be a good idea to set up a table of ~30 people in the center of the dining room for a crew that included an 86 year-old woman whose birthday was apparently the cause for celebration, along with cowboys, prom-looking couples, ‘prostitutes’ (so opined my 16 year-old son), and an AA Lifetime Achievement Member who thought it would be appropriate to toast his mother (and the rest of us in the restaurant) for nearly 30 minutes before we called “no mas” and left this Saturday evening. The noise level in restaurant was deafening. Though the wait staff seemed to be growing increasingly uncomfortable with the bedlam that had erupted and the pained expressions showing on the faces of the other patrons, the manager just stood by (silently in the corner) as it all began to unfold. Antonia’s reminded me more of a Skeeter’s Grill after a Little League practice, when twenty chanting 8-year olds are fighting over fries. All that was missing from my ‘dining’ experience was some blank newsprint and crayons, so that we as disgruntled Antonia’s patrons could release our frustrations as the mayhem levels continued to increase around us. It’s a shame too, as the restaurant seems to feature some pretty good food – among the best escargot I’ve ever tasted…and some pretty darn good mussels too. This was our second attempt to dine at the restaurant in the last month. Our first visit wasn’t without incident – the bartender (who apparently ‘doubles’ as manager and was there again as the strong, silent type this evening) made me a martini on Visit #1 that I had to send back as it had the essence of cat urine. Not sure exactly what the issue was on that occasion, but he felt compelled to come out and challenge my taste buds…despite a Stoli dirty martini being my drink of choice for nearly two decades and my having never had to send one back in hundreds of prior attempts at restaurants all over the world. After two failed visits to Antonia’s, I’d suggest that you can do better when choosing a place to dine near Katy. Try Da Vinci’s a few miles south on Fry Road or Nick’s down FM 1464 closer to Sugar Land. Or head to an Olive Garden or make the drive into Houston (Vinoteca Poscol or Piatto’s). But I’d avoid Antonia’s. You (and those you love) deserve better!
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