Tony C’s

Tony C's

The beauty of Tony C’s Italian restaurant at the Galleria Shopping Center on Highway 71 in Bee Cave is its consistent execution of some wonderful dishes and admirable attention to customer needs. Oh yeah, and did I mention they make some serious coal-fired New York style pizza here? Having this place within driving distance of your home is like living down the block from Lombardi’s in Brooklyn or Pepe’s in New Haven.

There is nothing that is not authentic at Tony C’s. You begin with the Bruschetta and why not? This is a fresh tomato salsa atop crunchy garlic crostinis. Great flavor and texture in this appetizer. And the coal-fired oven lends itself to great baked Chicken Wings as well. The wings are coated with a fresh lemon herb and they have a remarkable, crisp flavor. These babies proved invaluable in my recent weight loss program as well. The Calamari makes its case well with a light yet compelling breading served with a zesty marinara sauce. And you have to try the Cugino Stromboli. This is a classic with some Tony C’s embellishments: capicola, salami, pepperoni, and provolone cheese nestled into some of their pizza dough and baked to a crisp: lovely!

The salads are another delightful feature of the goodies available at Ciola’s. The Italian Chop salad is a blast: assorted meats and veggies with red onions, sweet peppers and a tangy red vinaigrette. This is another dish that has help me shed the pounds without compromising taste at all. And what do Italians know about Greek Salads? Plenty at Tony C’s. The Insalata il Greco fires on all fronts with robust flavors coaxed from a mix of fresh veggies like pepperoncini and Kalamata olives. Add a little Feta and a rich vinaigrette and you could topple the walls of Troy.

And the pizza is simply among the top one or two in central Texas. And yes, the heat of the coal-fired ovens, in the right hands, can produce exceptional crusts, which lies at the core of all great pies. The Mama Mia features pepperoni and sausage along with some added mozzarella cheese. You take that first bite and wham, you are transported 1700 miles to the northeast. This is Austin’s only coal-fired pizza and the taste is exemplary. The wonderful flavors continue with the Donato with sausage, luscious coal fired peppers, black olives and mozzarella. And again, the crispy crust sets the stage. And the classic Margarita, first produced in Naples for a visiting queen, continues to shine at Tony C’s. The beauty of this pie is its simplicity: ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.

There are ample pasta dishes as well at Tony C’s that resonate with flavor. My daughter Lauren loves the Silly Nonna, a mixture of Fusilli pasta with roasted chicken in a gorgonzola cream sauce! Mangia baby. And the Lasagna Rotelle has a real east coast kick to it. Finally somebody down here gets it!

Tony C’s has also launched a Sunday Brunch. There are creations like an Eggs Benedict pizza Lox and Cream Cheese pizza that will make you feel you’re dining on Wooster St. I love it. Being from the Northeast and living in Austin and having access to Tony C’s is like having your proverbial cannoli and eating it!

111220101454