I live in the neighborhood and this restaurant has been one of the several Italian staples of the area since my father's days of growing up nearby a long time ago. I was sad to learn it recently closed but was happy to learn I may have been one of the last-ever dine-in customers since it temporarily closed due to the pandemic and never reopened for indoor dining.I ate at the bar, alone, on a quiet weekday night. Olga the bartender was my server and she was great, we chatted a lot and she made it a welcoming, not-awkward experience and was even extra generous with my wine pour.I kept things simple and ordered a glass of wine and the chicken marsala. I got bread and a salad with it. The overall portion size was huge and the prices were more than fair. The chicken was tasty as well and I can't say I've ever had a similar brown sauce before. I really liked it and I could literally see it being personally cooked for me in the back by longtime chef-owner Franco which the experience even more homey.Later I met and personally thanked Franco and his wife. I told them my last name due to my family's roots in the neighborhood, and sure enough we each discovered some mutual friendships from long time ago. It is amazing how small a world it is, especially on Oakley Ave. It may have been my last time at La Fontanella, but I'll always remember it.
Italia Lopez
horrible. Food tasted like it was cooked in the microwave. That’s not including the fact that it took almost 35 minutes to serve the food. & expensive. I had my step father with me who is African American and we were treated negatively different aside from other families.
Al Beastone
Great Italian food and wine in a friendly atmosphere!
B3AR Productions
Service and drinks were great but food was just ok. Tried the lasagna and I honestly prefer the one at Connie's (which shocked me)
Pat Kurash
The owner is very nice at tried to satisfy us but the restaurant is just ok.
Gail G.
I've been dining and having numerous special occasions at La Fontanella Ristorante for over 20 years. The food is superb! Proprietors Maria and Franco Gamberale ALWAYS outdo themselves when creating my vegan/vegetarian special menus. Their gourmet pizzas and pastas are exceptional. I adore their eggplant putanesca...some of the best eggplant I have ever had. Fresh, thin, lightly breaded, and served in strips, smothered on putanesca sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. As a fan of artichokes, try their wonderfully filling artichoke and garlic appetizer. Give you them a call if you want their special gourmet vegan pizzas. I love the quaint, cozy atmosphere. Lovely waitstaff, Nina and Olga, who have been there for years. Bring the family for they make you feel like family.
Arturo Martinez
This restaurant is absolutely amazing. The ambiance is so traditional and welcoming. The service was excellent and the food was spectacular. Don’t think about it! Just make this place your next outing. Thank me later
Franco Gamberale
Superb traditional italian cuisine
Barrette Nicholson
I got the Chicken Vesuvio, and it was delicious! Perfectly paired with peas and potatoes, it wasn’t too heavy but enough that I left more than satisfied. My husband couldn’t figure out what he wanted because everything looked so good, so he asked the chef to surprise him. He received a wild caught cod dish with a tomato wine sauce that had just the right amount of spice to complement the cod, but not take away from it. We will definitely return!
Lawrence Webb
Attendants here are so good in attending the customers I really enjoyed just visit to experience the good atmosphere.
Love this restaurant ! I’ve had several of the chicken dishes & each was excellent. My friend says she’ll never be satisfied with veal in another restaurant again, and my husband’s mouth waters for the fresh whitefish ! Nice bar too.
Indira S.
The best Italian food that I've ever had and it was made vegan especially for us! Chef Franco was an absolute delight! I can't wait to go back. Until then, I'll be dreaming of his bruschetta, arugula mushroom pizza, vegan sausage and peppers pizza, and eggplant puttanesca over pasta.
MaryAnne McKenna Bryan
Had a wonderful time at La Fontanella. They shared their new vegan appetizers, pizza and a special eggplant puttanesca. Everything was delicious. This cafe is warm and inviting and the owners are wonderful and friendly. Can’t wait to go back!
David Martinez
Great atmosphere, super friendly staff. Loved the food, very authentic. Will be sure to come again!
Watsuwach Wongjan
very friendly and attentive waitress. I guess this place is family-owned restaurant. Ordered the mussel in white wine, which was delicious. I got fillet mignon which was overcooked (ordered medium, but got well done).
I live in the neighborhood and this restaurant has been one of the several Italian staples of the area since my father's days of growing up nearby a long time ago. I was sad to learn it recently closed but was happy to learn I may have been one of the last-ever dine-in customers since it temporarily closed due to the pandemic and never reopened for indoor dining.I ate at the bar, alone, on a quiet weekday night. Olga the bartender was my server and she was great, we chatted a lot and she made it a welcoming, not-awkward experience and was even extra generous with my wine pour.I kept things simple and ordered a glass of wine and the chicken marsala. I got bread and a salad with it. The overall portion size was huge and the prices were more than fair. The chicken was tasty as well and I can't say I've ever had a similar brown sauce before. I really liked it and I could literally see it being personally cooked for me in the back by longtime chef-owner Franco which the experience even more homey.Later I met and personally thanked Franco and his wife. I told them my last name due to my family's roots in the neighborhood, and sure enough we each discovered some mutual friendships from long time ago. It is amazing how small a world it is, especially on Oakley Ave. It may have been my last time at La Fontanella, but I'll always remember it.
horrible. Food tasted like it was cooked in the microwave. That’s not including the fact that it took almost 35 minutes to serve the food. & expensive. I had my step father with me who is African American and we were treated negatively different aside from other families.
Great Italian food and wine in a friendly atmosphere!
Service and drinks were great but food was just ok. Tried the lasagna and I honestly prefer the one at Connie's (which shocked me)
The owner is very nice at tried to satisfy us but the restaurant is just ok.
I've been dining and having numerous special occasions at La Fontanella Ristorante for over 20 years. The food is superb! Proprietors Maria and Franco Gamberale ALWAYS outdo themselves when creating my vegan/vegetarian special menus. Their gourmet pizzas and pastas are exceptional. I adore their eggplant putanesca...some of the best eggplant I have ever had. Fresh, thin, lightly breaded, and served in strips, smothered on putanesca sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. As a fan of artichokes, try their wonderfully filling artichoke and garlic appetizer. Give you them a call if you want their special gourmet vegan pizzas. I love the quaint, cozy atmosphere. Lovely waitstaff, Nina and Olga, who have been there for years. Bring the family for they make you feel like family.
This restaurant is absolutely amazing. The ambiance is so traditional and welcoming. The service was excellent and the food was spectacular. Don’t think about it! Just make this place your next outing. Thank me later
Superb traditional italian cuisine
I got the Chicken Vesuvio, and it was delicious! Perfectly paired with peas and potatoes, it wasn’t too heavy but enough that I left more than satisfied. My husband couldn’t figure out what he wanted because everything looked so good, so he asked the chef to surprise him. He received a wild caught cod dish with a tomato wine sauce that had just the right amount of spice to complement the cod, but not take away from it. We will definitely return!
Attendants here are so good in attending the customers I really enjoyed just visit to experience the good atmosphere.
Restaurantji Recommends
Love this restaurant ! I’ve had several of the chicken dishes & each was excellent. My friend says she’ll never be satisfied with veal in another restaurant again, and my husband’s mouth waters for the fresh whitefish ! Nice bar too.
The best Italian food that I've ever had and it was made vegan especially for us! Chef Franco was an absolute delight! I can't wait to go back. Until then, I'll be dreaming of his bruschetta, arugula mushroom pizza, vegan sausage and peppers pizza, and eggplant puttanesca over pasta.
Had a wonderful time at La Fontanella. They shared their new vegan appetizers, pizza and a special eggplant puttanesca. Everything was delicious. This cafe is warm and inviting and the owners are wonderful and friendly. Can’t wait to go back!
Great atmosphere, super friendly staff. Loved the food, very authentic. Will be sure to come again!
very friendly and attentive waitress. I guess this place is family-owned restaurant. Ordered the mussel in white wine, which was delicious. I got fillet mignon which was overcooked (ordered medium, but got well done).