Eating On Catalina Island

Ahhhh, Avalon. Just an hour's boat ride from downtown Long Beach, and there you are, in one of Southern California's gem's, Avalon, Santa Catalina Island. Catalina, as it's commonly called, is one of Southern Cal's Channel Islands and the one that is closest to the mainland. We found ourselves here on a recent long weekend for some sun, kayaking, relaxation, and of course, eating! We discovered some good, basic, home-style Italian cooking at Antonio's Pizzeria and Cabaret, an oceanfront restaurant that boasts a large menu of what I would say is Italian comfort food. Known for their pizzas primarily, Antonio's has a bit of that throwback, hippy feel to it. We treated ourselves to an early dinner there, sitting out in their rustic patio overlooking the water. My boyfriend and I decided to share the spinach and Italian sausage calzone and a minestrone soup. Service was friendly and fast. The calzone was baked nicely with a bit of crispiness on the outside of the dough. Inside, the spinach, sausage, and cheese melded deliciously and the bread

was warm and soft. I especially liked slopping up the calzone with the tomato meat sauce that was served on the side. The minestrone soup, though a little bland, was hearty and full of good things like potatoes, pasta, and veggies. I think it could have used a bit more seasoning to it but

nevertheless, it

seemed to hit the spot. We liked Antonio's for their homey food, great service, and especially, the gorgeous seaside views. (For the best views, try to snag an outside table).

Antonio's Pizzeria and Cabaret

230 Crescent Ave.

Avalon, CA. 90704

310-510-0008