After Two Decades In Avenue X Storefront, Anthony’s Place Is Moving Out

For more than two decades, neighbors have scarfed down pasta, shared pizza, toasted wine, and broke bread at Anthony’s Place, the family-owned Italian eatery on Avenue X, near East 21st Street. But soon the restaurant’s familiar green awning will be gone. The family is packing up their plates and pulling out of the humble storefront next month.

But don’t fret too much. The restaurant is staying close to home. They will move into a larger space less than two blocks away, at the corner of Avenue X and Ocean Avenue, in the building formerly occupied by the now shuttered Le Bouchon.

Anthony Sette, the chef/owner of Anthony’s Place, explained the move was partly out of necessity. He said the property’s owners, who did not return our call seeking comment, had put the building up for sale and did not renew the restaurant’s lease.

“I had first right of refusal for the building. But the building was too much money, I can’t afford it,” he explained. “Am I a little upset because I’ve been here so many years? Yeah. I feel like I’m leaving my heart and soul in one place.”

Sette’s connection to the storefront, which is filled with hand-painted artworks and murals, some of which he made himself, goes all the way back to the 1970s when the restaurant had different owners and was called the Pizza Bowl.

“I used to come in here and sweep the floors when I was nine years old. I would stand on a milk box washing dishes and eventually, I liked cooking, and became a chef,” he said.

Sette worked in the Pizza Bowl kitchen for almost two decades before the owners decided to give up the restaurant. He said he jumped at the chance to take over and the place became his in 1994.

“My childhood dream was to own the Pizza Bowl,” he explained. “I have so many memories in here. A lot of memories.”

Although Sette isn’t happy about leaving those memories behind, he’s looking forward to getting a larger space, with glassed-in cafe area and private party room, when he moves his business in mid-May. He’s also happy he stays in the neighborhood.

It’s unclear why Le Bouchon closed down. We were unable to contact the owners, who took over in 2009 when the restaurant was called “W,” but the property’s landlord told us they went out of business about two months ago. Sette’s son, who is also named Anthony and helps run the restaurant, said they found out the space was available last month.

“We saw an opportunity to grow and expand the business, and accommodate more of our customers in the larger place,” he said.

The younger Sette said much will stay the same when they change locations, which will only cause them to close for a few days while they haul their gear to the new spot. Although they are going to add a few new specials, and make use of the other kitchen’s charcoal grill, much will stay the same. They will still have the beautiful hand-painted artwork, the same menu, the same prices, and of course, they are still going to offer the Bob Salad.

“It’s really important to us that we keep it that home-type feeling, where everybody is comfortable with each other,” he said. “We’re very happy we are staying in the neighborhood.”