Anthony’s Cafe

Wow. I have to give it a star?!? i Have given this place a few chances but tonight was the last straw. Worst service I’ve ever had. Ever. 30 mins to get our drink and an additional 20 to get a salad. Lettuce. Croutons. 50 mins. No apologies no nothing. Then 20 more to get our bill. Over it. Never again. Saw 2 separate groups of friends coming in and told them what was happening and both left without goong in. didnt want to ruin their night too! Will be going to a real restaurant next time.

I get the Cajun rice pilaf. Nice and spicy. For a drink a pisco sour. I started drinking those in South America and love them. They have the tiramisu similar to olive gardens which I like.
Not a cheap place but I like what I have gotten there. Everyone is very friendly. Small place.

Made Valentines day reservation for 830 and STILL waiting for meal at 950. Over an hr for a shrimp appetizer. Wait staff is a complete joke, and they ran out of beer. Charged 8 $ for captain n 7 up n 4 $ for miller light which they ran out of, n 429 for amstel light that waitress suggested and they only had one. SERIOSLY??? NEVER coming back again.

Friendly staff, unique atmosphere, and eclectic menu serves this restaurant very well. I enjoyed the Iroquois chicken on a number of occasions if you are bold you go spicy if not the medium is packed with flavor as well. Paired with the corn bread risotto is my preferred dish here. Also have tried the steak mushroom risotto and it was also superb. A bit pricy for the area, but it’s beyond well worth it with very large portions. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

Always one of our favourites. The mushrooms are phenomenal, and the grilled veggie risotto is spectacular!

Great food. Thoughtful FRESH preparation. This is one of the few places where I’ve been to where the cooked vegetables are served STEAMING HOT and not overcooked. After 2 glasses of wine and a bloody mary, 2 appetizers and entrees the bill for my wife and I was over $ 80.00 so I think this is more expensive than the usual places in The Region. but they work for it and I didn’t feel over-​charged. The servings left me stuffed… no room for dessert.

The Bolognese with fresh mozzarella was unbelievable. Sat at the bar and devoured most of the dish. Wait staff was full of gratitude and it was quiet. Thrilled with the opportunity to experience such a wonderful find. Yum!

Dined here recently after not visiting for years due to declined quality of food and lack of wine selection (it used to be great!). Well, the hostess was friendly and so was our server, unfortunately my friend did not care for the blackened filet over risotto (she said either it wasn’t really filet or it was reheated after originally cooked or sat for long time and she said the risotto could’ve been better). The chicken parmigiana was ok but today while eating the leftovers (the portion they give you is HUGE!) I noticed it was very garlicky in parts of the chicken and a little overcooked. It was just… ok. The restaurant was not too crowded but granted it was an hour before closing. Their hours are very short, so we kind of expected «fresher» food. Not impressed and doubt I’ll be back anytime soon.

My favorite dish is the Iroquois Chicken! I would have to say that this is my all time favorite meal! The staff at Anthony’s Café is always friendly and courteous. It is always a great dining experience!

Overpriced. I don’t mind paying a lot of money if the food is outstanding but that wasn’t the case. Pasta with roasted veggies was ok. I would not go back.

My girlfriend and I took her Mother here on Mother’s Day because it used to be a favorite place of hers with her late husband. The ambiance was wonderful and the food was exceptional! The portions were plentiful and the menu selection was great without having too many choices. The chef was very friendly as was the bar staff.
The only negative experience was, unfortunately, our server Kristina. She seemed very inexperienced and at times made us feel uncomfortable. She never introduced herself or provided her name (we had to get it from the check) and did not bother to wish the ladies a Happy Mother’s Day, yet every other member of the staff did. As the hostess, bar staff, busboy, and even the chef passed by our table, they were quick to smile and wish the ladies a Happy Mother’s Day.
Throughout our dining experience, Kristina would vanish for long periods of time, and then appear as if shot out of a cannon demanding our full attention and immediate response. She had no awareness of our conversation and did not politely come into view and pause like most good servers would do. There was only one other table occupied in the dining room so it didn’t appear she was overwhelmed.
She wanted to know our drinks and appetizers as soon as the menus were placed. When I asked for a description of a special, she leaned over and turned to the page in my menu (I thought this was a special?) and said «There’s the description, you can read it yourself» and then walked away.
When we asked for some olive oil and balsamic vinegar for our bread she treated us like it was a special request and that she was doing us a favor. She later returned with a small shot-​style cup of oil and another for vinegar that was barely enough for one of us. This is an Italian venue, right?
When we asked for an additional basket of bread she took away the full one. While waiting, I walked around admiring the dining room and came across Kristina in a register nook. I mentioned the bread mistake and she said, «I know… they’re working on it. Now please take your seat.» Um, wow. Feeling scolded, I returned to the table as we waited for our bread to be returned.
When Kristina returned she asked if we were «ready yet». My girlfriend’s mother ordered a pasta dish and asked for bow-​tie pasta. Kristina said «You mean farfalle?» Feeling stupid, Mom said «sure, if that’s bow-​tie pasta». Kristina rolled her eyes and mumbled «farfalle» as she wrote it down. When I ordered my dish she looked at me strange and had to be told twice as if she was unaware of the dish.
After a refill, the ice in my drink had melted. A very nice lady at the bar appeared to a manager/​owner and had been watching our table. She offered to get us some ice for our drinks and graciously provided a glass of ice for me and wished us a Happy Mother’s Day. Everyone else was so nice… what was wrong with Kristina?
A few minutes later as we were enjoying our food and having good conversation, Kristina flew up to the table again firing off questions.
As I took a bite, she said «Are you done with your water» reaching for the glass of ice for my iced tea. As my mouth was full I raised one finger indicating I needed a moment to speak. Impatiently, she grabbed my glass and removed it from the table to the bar area behind us. I managed to shift the food in my mouth and turned around to see her just standing by the bar. I said, «That was actually my glass of ice, not water.» Looking confused, she asked if I wanted more water. I said, «No, I would like to keep the ice though.» Still looking confused, she asked me if I wanted the glass back. I said «…yes?» She dropped it in front of me and returned to leaning on the bar without a word. So peculiar. It was then that I noticed in my rush to stop her that I had inadvertently dropped some food on my shirt, staining it.
In contrast our busboy, Austin, was amazing and very attentive. All throughout our meal, he was quick with refills and kept checking back to see if we needed anything. He was a far better server than our actual server. When the check came, we had all agreed that Austin deserved the server’s tip and not Kristina. Not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful, we went ahead and allocated the majority of the tip on the bill for Kristina, but then gave the balance of the tip to Austin in cash for his attentiveness and making up for all of Kristina’s shortcomings.
I wanted to speak with the assumed manager/​owner sitting at the bar about our frustrations, but Kristina was hovering near her so we felt uncomfortable saying anything.
Again I will state that everything about this place (other than Kristina) was exceptional and we cannot wait to return and try more food and perhaps sit outside on a nice evening. Should we encounter Kristina there again, we will most definitely ask for another server or dine elsewhere to avoid her. Fortunately, the rest of the staff made us all feel very welcome and often recognized the day.

I would say that this is the best Italian in the area. The outside is deceptive and you almost miss it. As soon as you walk in there is a nice little bar to your right. The food is excellent and the portions are huge. I sometimes split the main course just so I can get to the dessert lol. The atmosphere is very intimate just the way I like Italian places to be. The chef here takes great pride in his food and keeps the ingredients fresh.

This place used to be incredible. Wonderful food, service and drink selection. In the last couple of years it’s taken a turn for the worse. I’ll chalk it up to lack of management. I say this because I’ve eaten here over 30 times in the last 10 years.
Usually the wait for the food is way too long, like over a half hour or better after you’ve placed your order. The wait staff is very underwhelmed all of the time. No one seems to care. With a little love this place would be great.
The food for the most part is pretty good. Having said that, the last time I was in there we ordered lobster (2 dishes) and both lobsters were so over-​cooked they were mostly inedible. When we nicely explained to the waitress she came back with «I’ll give you a dessert on the house.» We still had to pay for the inedible lobsters. Bad service. I’m giving this place 2 stars because the Spicy Blackened Steak Risotto is incredible and there’s hope to turn this place around.
I can’t justify paying $ 30 for an entrée when I’ve had the experiences here that I’ve had here. I’d be happy to drop $ 100 at Anthony’s every time in exchange for a few minor changes.
1. Find a manager who can train the wait staff and keep the FOH on their toes.
2. Food more consistent /​not have to wait 30 minutes for a dish to show up at the table.
3. Bring back the bigger wine and beer selection you used to have.
Love you Anthony’s, please give me a reason to come back. Thanks.

Food, very good
ambiance, could be better
service, eh
The wine we ordered was terrible, like it had been opened for a week. The diners next to us had a bottle of the same wine and said it was terrible too. We waited good and long for our food. My husband went to the restroom and told me if it wasn’t on the table by the time he came back we were leaving. The food came just in time, and right on time. It changed our whole attitude around. The pasta was so good. If they could get better wine to match that wonderful pasta…(sigh) But the service was almost nonexistent. I’ll be back because I can’t stop thinking about that pasta.

Ate there on a Sat. night, we were early so no problem getting a table. As other posters have said, really quiant atmosphere, service was very attentive. Prices were what you’d expect in northern IN, much more reasonable than Chicago metro area. I had the chicken parm which was some of the best I’ve had. Very lightly breaded and thin slices of chicken with just the right amount of «parm»…the only negative was the wine list… they only offer house wines, I’d like to see more options. Also my date wanted a cosmo before dinner and the bar didn’t have all the ingredients. I’d say if you’re in this area of IN and like Italian food it”s a really good option.

EXQUISITE!
I love, love, love this place! Every dish I have had has been made with fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection! Their portions are HUGE so be prepared to bring a doggy bag home or split an entrée! My personal favorites are the King’s Pasta, and the orange-​garlic shrimp. Their presentation is lovely, and I enjoy their small, intimate dining area. Their bar is also very cute!
I have to admit, I fell in love with this place the moment I saw the Anne Geddes style photos of baby pigs on the walls :)
Our waiters and waitresses are always quick, friendly, and helpful. They are also very knowledgeable about the menu.
My favorite restaurant in Northwest Indiana, hands down!

There is no place like Anthony’s Café with its freshness and quality ingredients like pine nuts, dried cranberries, and gargonzola blue cheese. The bar is cute with its petite size and the dining area is a romanticly intriguing atmosphere.
There are many exquisite flavorful marinates, roasted or toasted vegetables, and the service is plain and simple and I think that is what causes the colorful array of each dish to stand out not only in presentation, aroma, and color but also in its unique exotic appeal whether chicken or seafood.
I have to ask, is this place really down town Highland, IN where most meals served best are at breakfast, and not near the lakefront in MI or IL at midnight under candle light?

In what used to be a house, this quaint little eatery is serving some fresh, delicious Italian food — this was an unexpected find.
Nice menu options that made it hard to pick my entrée on this first visit. The caprese appetizer ($ 9) is a must. The combination of fresh tomato, mozzarella, fire roasted peppers, capers and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic creates a summery taste explosion in your mouth. It’s a close your eyes and experience kind of appetizer. The grilled veggie pasta ($ 14.25) is served with your choice of pasta noodle and was extremely satisfying and tasty. Thank goodness I shared the entrée with a friend because the portions are quite large. Dinner for three with wine and coffee was $ 52 before tax — but we shared one of the entrees.
Seriously. Who knew such great food tucked away in Highland?

Best restaurant in Northwest Indiana! The atmosphere is quaint, and the food is plentiful and delicious. Save your appetite for your trip to Anthony’s because the portions are hearty, but most dishes I’ve had are great the next day too.
If you like a little spice, try the citrus shrimp appetizer and iroquois chicken. They both combine spicy and sweet flavors in a unique way. The side item with the chicken is a sweet corn bread risotto, and it is perfect to offset the creamy spicy sauce on the Iriquois chicken.
If your palate is on the mild side, try bruschetta appetizer and chicken risotto. Mushroom lovers will enjoy the farfalle porcini. If you just can’t resist the steak, go for it! Anthony’s has a delicious filet mignon that sticks with the italian inspiration with the sauce options (porcini, gorgonzola, or balsamic). I had the gorgonzola sauce on my first try, but plan to try the balsamic next time!
If you just want traditional italian faire, go for the marsala or vesuvio. You won’t be disappointed. As you can tell, I keep on returning for more. I love being able to get this type of quality food without driving all the way to Chicago!

Anthony’s is my favorite restaurant in Northwest Indiana, as far as food quality. I’ve ordered carry out from here numerous times, and have eaten in a few times. The food quality has almost always been excellent. Price is a little on high side but it’s for the quality, and their rich sauces. The last time there, we had the Hungarian pork chop, spicy filet risotto, and citric lobster. The veal and linguine dishes are among my favorites.
Seating is a little tight and intimidating in the bar area, but cozy in the dining room closer to the street side of restaurant. In pleasant weather, there is a small outdoor dining area at front of restaurant.