(TV Diner) - The plywood floor, paper placemats, flickering red crystal chandelier and kitschy Italian artwork initially gave us pause but the food and the service were excellent and we were fans by the end of the evening. The restaurant is small so that it is relatively crowded and noisy. There is a bar that seats six people at one end.
Our first appetizer was a plate of 3 large Italian meatballs. They were tender, flavorful and had an excellent red sauce. The second appetizer unfortunately paled in comparison. The calamari was tough and tasteless. To our server’s credit, she noticed that the dish was almost untouched, solicited our comments and removed it from the bill without being asked.
The penne a la vodka contained onions and crisp red and green peppers, somewhat atypical for the dish. It was perfectly seasoned and well presented. The chicken Valdostana, a chicken breast stuffed with roasted peppers, fontina, spinach and prosciutto over roasted potato wedges, was tender with complex flavors. Both entrees were superb.
Dessert was a canolli and a chocolate mousse cake. The cannolli shell was light and crisp and the filling was creamy with a touch of almond flavor. The cake was comprised of a thick layer of light but rich mousse over a moist, dense chocolate cake. Both were a perfect end to a wonderful meal.
The homemade sangria was fruity and refreshing but not too sweet. The wine list was limited but covered the bases with some interesting selections by the glass.
Our server was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable but not overly intrusive. The appetizers ranged from $8 to $14 and the entrees from $15 to $25.
The entrees were well prepared and the portions generous. The meal far exceeded our expectations based on our first impressions of the layout and décor. Antique Table earns a Gold Plate. It is located at 2 Essex St in Lynn, literally on the Swampscott line. To make reservations, find them at www.antiquetableonline.com or call 781.477.9778.
