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Welcome to Anthony’s Cucina Fresca

Anthony’s Cucina Fresca is a bustling trattoria in Downingtown, PA, known for its well-prepared, generously portioned Italian dishes. The menu features traditional favorites like lasagna, veal marsala, and filet mignon Italian style, as well as unique starters like stuffed figs with prosciutto and mascarpone. The salads, particularly the Signature Salad with grilled salmon, are a highlight. The atmosphere is homey and welcoming, with a well-stocked bar offering signature cocktails and Italian wines. Overall, Anthony’s Cucina Fresca offers a delightful dining experience with friendly service and expertly crafted dishes.

Anthony’s Cucina Fresca: Reviews & Ratings

Vick M.
Vick M.

Lasagna is excellent and gnocchi bolognese was just as good. Do not hessitate to come here - but make reservation

Kyle K.
Kyle K.

Outstanding Italian restaurant in Downingtown, PA. Great menu and atmosphere! Servers are friendly and knowledgeable. Had the seasonal bruschetta and calamari as appetizers, and both were well done. Had a veal pasta dish with fresh mushrooms in a blush sauce with goat cheese. It was absolutely amazing!!! Wine list is reasonable and the craft cocktail list is well done. Definitely a great place and one we will revisit!

Steve B.
Steve B.

Great food. Remember going there when it was Covid and they were super nice and accommodating. Would highly recommend this business.

Mike D.
Mike D.

I've eaten here several times over the past year and it is a "steady eddy" restaurant. Reasonable prices. Recommend the arancini & burrata appetizer. Topped with some pesto and oil/balsalmic - very tasty and a good amount for 2-3 people. Gnocci bolognese hit the spot. Nice size serving that filled me up but didn't leave me feeling bloated. If its a nice evening, recommend seating outside. Much quieter than inside.

Arthur N.
Arthur N.

Anthony's Cucina Fresca is a homey, welcoming and, above all, bustling trattoria. No matter what day of the week you decide to put in an appearance - especially at dinner - rest assured that the joint will be jumping... which is something of a recommendation in and of itself... ... And there are several excellent reasons why Anthony's continues to pack them in: the food is well-prepared and generously portioned; the price is right (downright inexpensive in my book); and the service - even in the midst of the hustle & bustle and the tightly-spaced seating arrangements - is self-assured, friendly, and exceedingly knowledgeable... Another plus is the restaurant's well-stocked bar, which features select signature cocktails and an assortment of Italian wines and beers. Appetizers get culinary matters off to a good start. There are, of course, the so-called usual suspects, items such as the Clams & Mussels Mix in either red or white sauce, Fried Calamari, and Bruschetta. But the kitchen also turns out a number of more interesting starters that appear to be specifically designed to pique your culinary curiosity as well as rouse your tired taste buds from slumber. The Stuffed Figs, Prosciutto, and Mascarpone, for example, isn't exactly your usual bill of fare. Dry figs are stuffed with a creamy mascarpone cheese and chopped walnuts and served with Prosciutto di Parma. But even better is the kitchen's updated Burrata. Homemade creamy mozzarella is pillowed on a bed of spring mix, topped with roasted red peppers, and finished with a delicious pesto sauce and splash of truffle oil. Utilizing a host of familiar ingredients, Anthony's Eggplant (pictured) is a charmingly contemporary take on a traditional starter. Thick tender slices of baked eggplant are interspersed with homemade fresh mozzarella and Romano cheese, splashed with extra virgin olive oil & marinara sauce, and crowned with a fresh basil leaf. As photogenic as it is delicious. The definitive winner in the appetizer department. Anthony's salads, which are anything but ordinary, also make marvelous starters - and most easily double as light entrées or are suitable for sharing... The Pear, for instance, offers up slices marinated in cinnamon sauce with mixed greens, Gorgonzola, walnuts, and homemade vinaigrette dressing... The Portobello combines glazed mushrooms, mixed greens, roasted zucchini, goat cheese, and caramelized almonds splashed with a mandarin vinaigrette... The Organic includes chickpeas, sunflower seeds, feta cheese, kalamata olives, beets, and fresh mushrooms served over a bed of spinach with a homemade honey vinaigrette. My nod, however, goes to Anthony's Signature Salad (pictured), a delightful combo of fresh strawberries, grapes, sliced almonds, goat cheese, and grilled salmon on a bed of romaine lettuce drizzled with a first-class honey/balsamic vinaigrette. As you move on to the entrées, tradition prevails once again, as the menu offers the customary variety of pastas and chicken & veal dishes served up Saltimbocca, Marsala, Piccata, and Parmigiana. Salmon, a menu mainstay, is presented San Remo (baked with mussels, clams, and shrimp in a spicy marinara) and Sicilian (baked in a garlic olive oil sauce sided by sautéed vegetables). The kitchen also puts out a very nice Filet Mignon Italian Style wrapped in bacon with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. My dining partner's Chicken Parmigiana was particularly well prepared. The chicken was moist and tender, smothered in melted mozzarella and accompanied by al dente penne pasta. My only gripe was that the marinara sauce could have used a bit more seasoning. Anthony's Lasagna, on the other hand, was right on the money. The lasagna noodles were layered with beef, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan and then doused with a marinara & panna sauce. This is basically marinara sauce spruced up with heavy cream and a touch of nutmeg. And its presence added a delightfully rich & creamy dimension to the lasagna's taste and texture. A must try. Veal, in whatever incarnation it may appear, is always a good bet. My Veal Marsala, for instance, sautéed in a mushroom Marsala wine sauce, was marvelously tender and offered up just enough consistency to indicate that you were biting into the real McCoy rather than that beneath contempt processed variety. The mashed potatoes also proved an excellent complement; and while the sauce struck me as a tad too sweet, why quibble. Desserts cover the usual bases, i.e., tiramisu and cannoli. Both are just fine... but occasionally the kitchen will bake up a sweet ending that is really worth those extra calories. Recently, for example, my dining partner and I were treated to an exquisite freshly-made fruit tart that far surpassed expectations. The crust was perfectly textured, the fruit at the peak of ripeness, and the creamy filling an ethereal treat. If it happens to make a guest appearance the evening of your visit, don't hesitate to dig in.

Diane K.
Diane K.

Delicious! Everyone in our party enjoined their meal. Waitstaff nice, and attentive. Great time had by all (even in the rain)

Scott P.
Scott P.

Place is amazing. Very nice interior where rustic meets high end. Plenty of parking. Fresh home made pasta. Service was great. Dinner was done in a flash and on our table. Recommend chicken parm.

Antwan J.
Antwan J.

The calamari was probably one of the best I've ever had. Whenever I see the heads, I know I'm in for a good time The Stromboli was huge and flavorful. I got pepperoni, mushroom, onion, and sausage. The pepperoni they put on for free. what's u

Lisa I.
Lisa I.

I drove over an hour to meet some friends for "girls night". They are local to this area and recommended Anthony's. There is parking available on the side of the restaurant but it fills up quickly. It's fairly big but we parked in the far back and have to dodge alot of holes within the lot walking in heels, not fun! We had reservations and were seated promptly upstairs. The floor was sooooo slippery walking to the stairs. I know I'm focusing a lot of walking to and from but it was definitely an experience in heels. Also, you can definitely dress down here and leave heels home and wear sneakers and jeans. Once ordered the food arrived fairly quickly and our service was attentive. I ordered a salad with chicken which was too much to finish, in a good way! The portions are large compared to the cost. We have cannolis for dessert which were fresh and home made. Very good!

Location

Welcome to Anthony's Cucina Fresca, a bustling Italian trattoria located in Downingtown, PA, where the food is well-prepared, generously portioned, and the service is friendly and knowledgeable. With a menu that includes a variety of traditional Italian dishes, this restaurant is a must-visit for those craving authentic Italian cuisine.

The appetizers at Anthony's Cucina Fresca are a delightful start to your meal, with options like the Stuffed Figs, Prosciutto, and Mascarpone, and the updated Burrata. The salads are also a hit, with unique combinations like the Pear and Portobello salads. The entrees range from classic pasta dishes to veal and chicken options, all expertly prepared and full of flavor.

One standout dish is the Veal Marsala, sautéed in a mushroom Marsala wine sauce, offering a tender and flavorful experience. The Lasagna is another must-try, with layers of beef, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan, topped with a rich marinara and panna sauce that adds a creamy dimension.

As for desserts, the tiramisu and cannoli are delicious options, but don't miss out on any special treats that may be available, like the exquisite freshly-made fruit tart.

Overall, Anthony's Cucina Fresca exudes a homey and welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for a cozy dinner or a gathering with friends and family. With its well-stocked bar, friendly staff, and delicious food, this restaurant is sure to leave you satisfied and planning your return visit.