About Annie's Gourmet Italian

Annie DeFalco-Payton's earliest memories find her in the butcher shop, standing on sawdust-strewn floors between hanging salamis and cheeses. Both of her grandfathers and her father were butchers who brought their meat-prepping skills, passion for food, and fanny packs full of sawdust all the way from Italy. Italian cuisine helped forge Annie's identity, and at Annie's Gourmet Italian, she celebrates her epicurean heritage.

Except here, unlike at her family's butcher shops, Annie gets to do things her own way. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio, and a full bar brims with specialty cocktails, wines, and beer. The friendly, family-oriented atmosphere and top-shelf libations are a nice touch, but the real attraction at Annie's is the food. Veal entrees, chicken dishes, and and pastas fill plates with garlicky goodness, and gluten-free and low-fat options accommodate special diets. Annie's originally started as a catering business, and she still offers that service, stocking local parties with her trademark cuisine.