With accolades like Orlando's Favorite Italian Restaurant, it's hard to label Antonio's La Fiamma Ristorante one of Orlando's best kept secrets. But as a first time patron, it was definitely a new and pleasant surprise for me.

Italian cuisine is a fare that can withstand a lot of mediocrity; blame it on food courts. So when you actually swallow a bite of authentic Italian pasta that's clearly been made with ingredients of distinction and passionate craftsmanship, the experience can be both thrilling and awe-inspiring. Such was the case on my recent trip to Antonio's in Maitland.

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WFTV.COM FOOD BYTES: Experience Antonio's La Fiamma Ristorante

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The Tuscan reminiscent building Antonio's calls home houses a market/café downstairs and an elegant restaurant upstairs. Hunger forced us to bypass the quaint downstairs market and head straight upstairs to the restaurant by way of the elevator. The voice of Andrea Bocelli greeted us as the doors parted; soft Italian notes I enjoyed throughout the evening. Our host quickly took us to one of the many romantic snuggler booths that I'll be sure to request next time I return with my hubby. These plush and richly upholstered orbit shaped booths with their higher than normal walls create the perfect illusion of intimacy and privacy. Despite the busy evening, it felt like my hubby and I were the only ones in the room.

With polished attentiveness and without the slightest hint of snobbery, our sharply clad server took our water order and offered to answer any questions about the extensive wine list. Warm, home baked bread soon arrived with a dish of olive oil mixed with their signature blend of Italian spices.

Perusing the menu, it's clear that Antonio's takes their traditional pasta recipes seriously. I love Italian food, especially when it's made with old world authenticity, so I am called to nearly every dish. Just when we think we've got our meal sorted out, our server begins to reveal an assortment of even more tantalizing specials. Fish from places I've, sadly, never been and pastas with cheeses I've never heard of. When asked, our server gives his recommendations honestly and confidently. Love that!

It's going to sound incredibly unadventurous, but I settle on the Gnocchi all'Antonio because I've smelled the marinara sauce wafting from the kitchen and I want to order something that's covered in it. Hubby orders the petite filet and the Penne alla Boscaiola, a pasta tossed with pancetta, portabella and porcini mushrooms and made with a creamy tomato sauce. I do envy his appetite when we dine out.

Our server tells us that the Calamari Dorati is a house favorite and recommends that we try it. With hesitation, we comply, and I express my regret to my husband after our server leaves. Calamari is always so over-breaded and fried that I'd given up ordering it years ago. Alas, I sat corrected. It was perfection; only lightly breaded, barely fried as if the oil had merely kissed each morsel, and accompanied by a sun-dried tomato and garlic dipping sauce - a creative departure from the standard marinara sauce.

My gnocchi was equally wonderful with a light texture that one almost never encounters and the marinara sauce I had anticipated like one of Pavlov's dogs. Hubby's penne is delish and the filet is faultless. We stuff ourselves with delight leaving only a sliver of room for dessert.

Overeaters like us will love the light and palette cleansing Limone or Mandarino Ripieno. They take the natural shell of a lemon or tangerine and stuff it with lemon or tangerine sorbet creating an uber-refreshing and tangy finale to your meal. However, if you can find room to stuff more in, don't hesitate to order the Valentino, a Belgian chocolate cup filled with a whipped mixture of Belgian chocolate, whipped cream and brandy. Something to consider before ordering heavy pasta.

By the end of our meal, we can clearly see why Antonio's comes so highly recommended by trusted sources like Zagat. For almost twenty years they've served up Italian classics in a location that is both understated and welcoming. Before we leave we make a quick stop in their Market/Café to peruse through hundreds of bottles of wine and to pick up a jar of their delicious marinara sauce - prepared in the kitchen upstairs. Too full to be tempted by one of their award winning pizzas, we vow to return. Quality and value like this doesn't happen every day.

Antonio's has locations in Sand Lake and Celebration as well.