HAMPTON -- It was just about a year ago that Sal & Anthony's Ristorante took up residence right behind the Inn of Hampton on Lafayette Road. Since that time, the DeVito brothers - who own both the Exeter and Hampton restaurants that bear their names - have served a countless number of customers tempting Italian dishes from their extensive dinner menu.

And, now that they have "developed a solid foundation after a successful first year," says Sal, "we're now going to fully open it up" to include an extensive lunch menu as well. "We also have two big-screen TVs in the lounge for our patrons," adds Sal, noting that it's a perfect place for diners to enjoy their "genuine New York-style brick oven pizzas."

Their delicious pizza is just one of the prime choices from Sal & Anthony's new lunch menu. An assortment of appetizers (including the Fried Calamari with homemade hot sauce and Eggplant Rollatine, oven-baked with rustic ricotta filling and light tomato basil) offers a tasteful way to start a mid-day meal, as do the soups and salads (such as the Tuscan Sausage Soup or the Classic Caesar Salad).

Sal & Anthony's luscious selection of entrees await hungry diners, whose taste buds will come alive with such tempting dishes as Baked Penne Rigate, Chicken & Broccoli Penne, Veal or Chicken Parmigiana, and Chicken Marsala. For those lunchtime purists who must have a sandwich on their plate, Sal & Anthony's offers, among other selections, a tasty hot homemade Meatball Parmigiana topped with melted mozzarella cheese and ragu sauce, Italian Sweet Sausage and Peppers with homemade marinara sauce, an Italian sub complete with ham, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, and all the extras - and a Classic Burger, served on a sesame roll with a choice of toppings. There are many other selections on the menu that will make lunchtime at Sal & Anthony's an absolute treat.

"It's family dining at its best," says Sal, adding that both the lunch and dinner fare at Sal & Anthony's "is gourmet - everything's made from scratch." It's the same with their homemade pizza. "We have the best pizza pie in New Hampshire," promises Sal, "authentic Italian pizza made from scratch." Indeed, every pizza - from Tony's Pepperoni (pepperoni and extra mozzarella) to the Melanzana (oven-roasted eggplant, mozzarella and romano cheeses) to beyond the Bravo Nunzio (meatballs, mozzarella and romano cheeses) - comes hot, fresh and delicious straight from the brick oven to the table. And, for those who feel adventurous, Sal & Anthony's lunch menu includes a list of ingredients for a "Create Your Own Pizza" treat. Imagine building your own pizza with selections such as roasted or fresh peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted eggplant, ricotta cheese, sweet Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, and many more.

Rounding out the lunch and dinner menu is an assortment of homemade desserts, including classic Italian sweets such as cannolis and ricotta pie. A full selection of beverages - including mixed drinks, Italian wines and ice cold beer from Sal & Anthony's well-stocked bar - is also available.

With the holidays coming, Sal & Anthony's is the perfect place to take a lunch or dinner break in the midst of the shopping season. Not only that, but it's also the ideal spot to host a holiday cocktail party, too. "Get in touch [with us] now to plan [your] holiday events," says Sal.

Also in the planning stages at the Hampton restaurant, according to Sal's brother, Anthony, are a number of special events that include a possible Sunday Italian buffet and a Family Pasta Night. With the new lunch hours (which started October 11), Anthony says "we'll be doing extensive take-out orders, and working our way up to delivery. You won't even have to leave home." Entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights in the lounge will be yet another reason to stop by Sal & Anthony's Ristorante.

Whether it's for lunch or dinner, a family get-together or a romantic date, a holiday celebration or a brick oven pizza for two by the big-screen TVs, Sal & Anthony's Ristorante is the place to go for delicious, authentic Italian food. Located behind the Inn of Hampton at 815 Lafayette Road in Hampton, Sal & Anthony's is open Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, call 926-8666.