I specifically asked for a quiet table away from restrooms and the wait staff station for two people due to a hearing problem. I also said we were celebrating a special occasion, but nobody ever asked what that was. I don't think the host even read the request/message, because we were seated next to both the restrooms and weight staff station, and a loud air conditioning fan motor which created a very cold draft on us. When I asked if we could move to a table that two people just left, there was push back until I mentioned that I had asked for the above when making the reservation on Open Table. The fruit flies were a major problem there. They were flying around us and crawling into the vinegar that was left on the table. I was so happy I didn't bring any wine, because it just would've been worse. I asked the waitress to remove the vinegar, but some flies remained and flew around the food  My bread plate had a chip out of it and one of the water glasses had a lipstick stain on it. The waitress was very nice and attentive, so I gave her a 25% tip. She took care of the issues, but they shouldn't have been there in the first place. The food was delicious though. I rated it a 3 , because the ambience, etc. was not good. 
Karen Bertolotti
Had dinner during our vacation. Sat outside on veranda, service was perfect. Food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arugula, Ceasar Salad
Susan Eidelheit
Overpriced $54 salmon special, purportedly with shrimp + scallops — arrived with only ONE piece of each over average sized, average tasting salmon with smidgeon of sauce; actually politely sent dish back immediately, noting excessive price for skimpy “special” + requesting menu to order something else hopefully more honestly priced. Sweet waitress eventually returned, with a chef sending back the same (not even reheated) plate with a paltry one additional (though decent sized piece of shrimp with the likely same mediocre tasting scallop again). Did I also mention the cheap, store-bought, cold Italian bread instead of usually homemade, FRESH, WARM bread at allegedly finer dining establishment? Take your money elsewhere; shame on this owner? Chef? Likely busy o Lu because few other better eateries open Wednesday and few to choose from in immediate area.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
J B
I visited La Fontana del Mare last week, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the evening. The seafood dishes were the highlight—so fresh and flavourful. The staff was incredibly attentive, making sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot for a date night or a place to celebrate with friends, I highly recommend La Fontana del Mare. I'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erta Kupa
We visited for the first time and it was simply amazing. The staff were so welcoming and friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. Will defo be coming here again. Thank you again La
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janice
For purposes of my review, a rating of 2 stars equates to just OK. La Fontana is certainly not a bad restaurant and perhaps on another visit my experience might have been better than just OK. The two things that were not impressive were the chicken parm which was drowned in a very average red sauce and our lackluster, aloof server. To begin with, the thick chicken breast would not have been as tough as it was had it been properly cut and pounded before the breading process. When it arrived on the table, The breast was gasping for breath under a thick blanket of that bland red sauce. Every inch of the chicken was blanketed in sauce. As a result, any would-be crispy edges of the cutlet were rendered soggy and disappointing. Our service was just OK and maybe even a little less than OK as he wasn't very attentive. He delivered our entrees and disappeared without a word. In fact in its entirety, interaction was limited to his taking our orders and then delivering them. Half-way through our entrees, he reappeared to ask if everything was OK. In fact, everything was just OK. When dining I always begin with a mindset that the experience is going to be really enjoyable and something to remember. I don't mean that the memory has to invoke fireworks and confetti. No, what I want is for it to bring a smile to my face and a desire to return for more. Neither is the case at La Fontana Del Mar in Strathmere, NJ .
Mary Kay
We had a great dinner with great friends, and the meal and service was excellent! Frankli is the best!
amy
As always we had a delicious meal, excellent service ! La Fontana is always on point - my absolute favorite place to eat !!
Phillyfun
Always enjoy dining at La Fontana Del Mar. Food was delicious, the staff is amazing and the atmosphere was perfect for a beach night get together.
Jim
Excellent meal with terrific service. Parking can be a challenge but definitely worth it!!
We had yet another outstanding meal during our vacation! The fried calamari, artichoke app special, prosciutto and melon special, Spaghetti carbonara, Penne alla vodka, Capellini with lobster, shrimp and crabmeat were our selections and each was supremely delicious!! We dine here often and Food and service are consistently phenomenal!!! Highly recommend!!
Barbara
Our server Joe made the night SO special! He remembered 6 names. Suggested favorites which we all loved and was funny and forthright! That coupled with the usual delightful food and buzzing atmosphere and beautiful night with friends and family! Perfection! Thank you again for a delicious summer 2024! Our favorite restaurant of the summer!
John
Food was good for my wife and I. Appetizer and kids portions are way too small. Waiter wouldn't accept a loyalty gift card claiming I had to use it at their other restaurant at Sea Isle. Very deceptive when I expected $50 off my meal.
DonnaS
Our dinner at La Fontana Del Mare last night was delicious, fun and memorable! We shared both the salad and seafood specials, which were both SUPERB and together, plenty of food. The atmosphere was friendly and fun - we ran into a couple we met at Twistie's two nights prior, and also chatted with the two young women at the table next to us. Service was friendly and professional, our evening at La Fontana Del Mare was a ten! ?
I specifically asked for a quiet table away from restrooms and the wait staff station for two people due to a hearing problem. I also said we were celebrating a special occasion, but nobody ever asked what that was. I don't think the host even read the request/message, because we were seated next to both the restrooms and weight staff station, and a loud air conditioning fan motor which created a very cold draft on us. When I asked if we could move to a table that two people just left, there was push back until I mentioned that I had asked for the above when making the reservation on Open Table. The fruit flies were a major problem there. They were flying around us and crawling into the vinegar that was left on the table. I was so happy I didn't bring any wine, because it just would've been worse. I asked the waitress to remove the vinegar, but some flies remained and flew around the food  My bread plate had a chip out of it and one of the water glasses had a lipstick stain on it. The waitress was very nice and attentive, so I gave her a 25% tip. She took care of the issues, but they shouldn't have been there in the first place. The food was delicious though. I rated it a 3 , because the ambience, etc. was not good. 
Had dinner during our vacation. Sat outside on veranda, service was perfect. Food was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arugula, Ceasar Salad
Overpriced $54 salmon special, purportedly with shrimp + scallops — arrived with only ONE piece of each over average sized, average tasting salmon with smidgeon of sauce; actually politely sent dish back immediately, noting excessive price for skimpy “special” + requesting menu to order something else hopefully more honestly priced. Sweet waitress eventually returned, with a chef sending back the same (not even reheated) plate with a paltry one additional (though decent sized piece of shrimp with the likely same mediocre tasting scallop again). Did I also mention the cheap, store-bought, cold Italian bread instead of usually homemade, FRESH, WARM bread at allegedly finer dining establishment? Take your money elsewhere; shame on this owner? Chef? Likely busy o Lu because few other better eateries open Wednesday and few to choose from in immediate area.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 4
I visited La Fontana del Mare last week, and it was an absolutely delightful experience. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the evening. The seafood dishes were the highlight—so fresh and flavourful. The staff was incredibly attentive, making sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot for a date night or a place to celebrate with friends, I highly recommend La Fontana del Mare. I'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited for the first time and it was simply amazing. The staff were so welcoming and friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. Will defo be coming here again. Thank you again La
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
For purposes of my review, a rating of 2 stars equates to just OK. La Fontana is certainly not a bad restaurant and perhaps on another visit my experience might have been better than just OK. The two things that were not impressive were the chicken parm which was drowned in a very average red sauce and our lackluster, aloof server. To begin with, the thick chicken breast would not have been as tough as it was had it been properly cut and pounded before the breading process. When it arrived on the table, The breast was gasping for breath under a thick blanket of that bland red sauce. Every inch of the chicken was blanketed in sauce. As a result, any would-be crispy edges of the cutlet were rendered soggy and disappointing. Our service was just OK and maybe even a little less than OK as he wasn't very attentive. He delivered our entrees and disappeared without a word. In fact in its entirety, interaction was limited to his taking our orders and then delivering them. Half-way through our entrees, he reappeared to ask if everything was OK. In fact, everything was just OK. When dining I always begin with a mindset that the experience is going to be really enjoyable and something to remember. I don't mean that the memory has to invoke fireworks and confetti. No, what I want is for it to bring a smile to my face and a desire to return for more. Neither is the case at La Fontana Del Mar in Strathmere, NJ .
We had a great dinner with great friends, and the meal and service was excellent! Frankli is the best!
As always we had a delicious meal, excellent service ! La Fontana is always on point - my absolute favorite place to eat !!
Always enjoy dining at La Fontana Del Mar. Food was delicious, the staff is amazing and the atmosphere was perfect for a beach night get together.
Excellent meal with terrific service. Parking can be a challenge but definitely worth it!!
Restaurantji Recommends
We had yet another outstanding meal during our vacation! The fried calamari, artichoke app special, prosciutto and melon special, Spaghetti carbonara, Penne alla vodka, Capellini with lobster, shrimp and crabmeat were our selections and each was supremely delicious!! We dine here often and Food and service are consistently phenomenal!!! Highly recommend!!
Our server Joe made the night SO special! He remembered 6 names. Suggested favorites which we all loved and was funny and forthright! That coupled with the usual delightful food and buzzing atmosphere and beautiful night with friends and family! Perfection! Thank you again for a delicious summer 2024! Our favorite restaurant of the summer!
Food was good for my wife and I. Appetizer and kids portions are way too small. Waiter wouldn't accept a loyalty gift card claiming I had to use it at their other restaurant at Sea Isle. Very deceptive when I expected $50 off my meal.
Our dinner at La Fontana Del Mare last night was delicious, fun and memorable! We shared both the salad and seafood specials, which were both SUPERB and together, plenty of food. The atmosphere was friendly and fun - we ran into a couple we met at Twistie's two nights prior, and also chatted with the two young women at the table next to us. Service was friendly and professional, our evening at La Fontana Del Mare was a ten! ?
Always a pleasure!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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