Pizza: Antonio's Opens In Time For July 4 Weekend

NEWPORT, RI — The secret is in the dough, according to Steve Reeves. And also in the toppings. His new venture, Antonio's Restaurant, sells New York style pizza by the slice with 55 different toppings. By New York style, he means the pizza has a thin to medium crust. It's hand tossed and baked on a stone in the oven.

"It's not pan pizza," he explained.

The restaurant opened one week ago at 150 Connell Highway, in the spot Mama Leone's formerly occupied. (Reeves also owns Mama Leone's, which reopened recently in a new location next to Stop & Shop on Bellevue Avenue.)

"It's going great," he said. Reeves got into the pizza business through his family, he said. His father owned Tony's and Mama Leone's. The family also has restaurants in other locations.

"I love making food," he added. The Newport Antonio's has 146 seats, as well as take-out and delivery. The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bar stays open half an hour later than the kitchen.

Besides pizza, Antonio's also serves wraps, appetizers, salads, calzones, burgers and bakes pasta dishes.

Photo Caption: Alysia Jarmon, of Newport, behind the bar at Antonio's. The restaurant has a full liquor license, and may well become known, like Antonio's near UMass Amherst, for their martinis.

Photo Caption: Owner Steve Reeves shows a selection of the 55 pizza toppings on display. They even have dessert pizza with a topping made of Nutella, Mascarpone cheese and fresh strawberries.