Annie’s Gourmet Italian appeals to people and dogs
With Annie's Gourmet Italian Restaurant, 1716 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, caterer Annie Peyton has realized a long-held dream of a family restaurant that even serves family dogs.
The patio of the Henderson restaurant offers a great view and seating for canines.
"I'm a dog lover myself," says Peyton, who opened her eatery with her husband, Rik, and her parents, Connie and Frank DeFranco, in November.
They worked out the details with the health department and posted their rules: Dogs are allowed on the patio only, must be on a leash and well-behaved.
Though she has been on the local culinary scene since 2000 when she established Annie's Gourmet Parties, this is her first restaurant. With Italian roots on both sides of the family, Peyton draws on a rich heritage for her menu.
Every night has a theme such as tortellini Tuesday or lasagna Wednesday. Peyton also offers a to-go menu with half and full pans of lasagna and other entrees.
The restaurant seats 48 inside, 26 on the patio. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant will start Sunday hours this weekend, from 4 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended on weekends and for groups of more than five.
Specialties: Stuffed mushrooms with sweet Italian sausage, $9.95; rice balls (arancini di riso), $6.95; chicken Mediterranean served with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and rigatoni, $12.95
Appetizers: Chicken pecorino rolls, $9.95; meatball scampi, $9.95
Soups and salads: Caprese salad, $9.95; pasta fagioli, $5.95
Entrees: Chicken piccata with rigatoni, $12.95; tortellini alfredo, $12.95; Grandma Cungie's eggplant parmigiana, $13.95
Desserts: Spumoni torte; tiramisu; New York cheesecake, all $6.95
Information: 254-3663
By SONYA PADGETT
