Fortunato serves upscale Italian food in a pared down but trendy atmosphere. Yes, the semi/rustic style means diners either need to sit close together or shout to be heard. I was one of a weekday evening of a party of three all of whom love to try new food. Starting with the formaggi (cheese platter) to cannoli and semifreddo dessert, we were not disappointed. Each of us ordered a main dish. The vegetarian chose homemade pasta with a creamy cheese sauce; the meat eater, pork Milanese; and I, the roasted whole Branzino. I elelcted to trythis fish for comparison with similar dishes in a favorite Oriental restaurant. Fortunato’s Branzino preparation won hands down for me. The flesh was perfectly prepared - moist, tender, and almost falling off the bones. The side complimented the fish perfectly. I finished my cannoli accompanied by an espresso and a smile on my face.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cannoli, House Bread, Roasted Whole Branzino, Quattro Formaggi
Marcy Fitzpatrick
First time here yesterday. Fantastic service from Gwen. Delicious food at a very fair price point. A bit loud for private conversation, but high ceilings & bare floors are the culprit, not the restaurant's fault. Definitely will be going back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ryan Pacheco
Trevor was amazing! If you want Italian in Roanoke….this is the spot. Food and service is beyond expectations
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LESPAULplayer1014
The wife and I went there for her birthday. We wanted to try somewhere we had not previously eaten. In order to dine there, we had to make a reservation which required a credit card in case you were a no-show. When we arrived, we were promptly seated. The waiter was nice and the service was fast. The atmosphere was loud, however. We had to shout to speak with one another. We had hoped for a nice romantic evening but instead had to shout across the table just to have a conversation. The menu was hard to understand unless you were well versed in Italian cuisine and culinary terminology. The wife's food was nasty, and my pork mileanese was tough. Unfortunately, I can honestly say Olive Garden has better Italian food than this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Patty Stanley
Wonderful Place to Dine. Experienced & Very respectful & Polite Staff. Food is Superb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
Ellen Krasniak
We had a fantastic night out at Fortunato - our best in years. Atmosphere was great - we were sat immediately with our reservation and our waiter was perfect - attentive without being overbearing. Cocktails/food/dessert were phenomenal and our dinner was very reasonable for what we got. This was our first time here but we're looking forward to returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
brisco jones
Food was different but good drinks was tasty
David O'Neal
Hands down the best in Roanoke. Everything my wife and I have had here has been amazing! Our server Josh, is the best we have ever had serve us at any restaurant. Attentive but not annoying, he knows just when to arrive and never overstays his welcome. This place rocks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Backn4th
Had an enjoyable evening out during a business dinner. Atmosphere was 5 star! Service was almost 5 star, however we did feel a bit rushed in getting our food order in before we were even served our cocktails. The food was very good and we will return on our next visit to Roanoke!
Our server was friendly, attentive and considerate. There when he was needed, funny and also careful to not disturb the table when it wasn't necessary. The food was delicious, beautiful and prepared surprisingly quickly. The carbonara in particular was simple (as it should be) but perfectly cooked and seasoned. We'll be back soon.
Excellent! The food was good as always. However, the real thing that set this particular Fortunato experience apart was the service. Gwen was absolutely excellent-attentive without being overwhelming, kept our wine/water topped up at all times, and was overall just a bubbly personality.
VishakJ
As always, Fortunato was wonderful. We had a new server Gwen and she was a 10 out of 10. Orders were prompt, correct and food was so tasty. Can't say anything bad about our experience.
BillH
Had not visited this restaurant in a while and was pleasantly surprised. Wait staff was friendly and helpful. Food was excellent, especially the grilled branzino (fish). The salamedi di choccolato desert was also excellent. Best shortbread I've had anywhere. The chocolate wafer had just the right hint of orange. Will put this place on my regular list of restaurants to frequent. Great location because it's just down the street from its sister restaurant, Lucky's. Had to stop in there for a night cap and visit Kent and Taylor, the best bartenders in Roanoke.
JohnG
We had a wonderful evening. Great atmosphere. It actually looked like they seated couples in one area which more quiet and great for valentines and large groups elsewhere. Don't know if this was intentional or just happened but it was lovely
Nevik
I agree with most of Arif C. Adams review. Cool restaurant with fantastic service in downtown Roanoke. I only had a pizza and a glass of wine, and I enjoyed my experience. I will return.
Fortunato serves upscale Italian food in a pared down but trendy atmosphere. Yes, the semi/rustic style means diners either need to sit close together or shout to be heard. I was one of a weekday evening of a party of three all of whom love to try new food. Starting with the formaggi (cheese platter) to cannoli and semifreddo dessert, we were not disappointed. Each of us ordered a main dish. The vegetarian chose homemade pasta with a creamy cheese sauce; the meat eater, pork Milanese; and I, the roasted whole Branzino. I elelcted to trythis fish for comparison with similar dishes in a favorite Oriental restaurant. Fortunato’s Branzino preparation won hands down for me. The flesh was perfectly prepared - moist, tender, and almost falling off the bones. The side complimented the fish perfectly. I finished my cannoli accompanied by an espresso and a smile on my face.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cannoli, House Bread, Roasted Whole Branzino, Quattro Formaggi
First time here yesterday. Fantastic service from Gwen. Delicious food at a very fair price point. A bit loud for private conversation, but high ceilings & bare floors are the culprit, not the restaurant's fault. Definitely will be going back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Trevor was amazing! If you want Italian in Roanoke….this is the spot. Food and service is beyond expectations
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The wife and I went there for her birthday. We wanted to try somewhere we had not previously eaten. In order to dine there, we had to make a reservation which required a credit card in case you were a no-show. When we arrived, we were promptly seated. The waiter was nice and the service was fast. The atmosphere was loud, however. We had to shout to speak with one another. We had hoped for a nice romantic evening but instead had to shout across the table just to have a conversation. The menu was hard to understand unless you were well versed in Italian cuisine and culinary terminology. The wife's food was nasty, and my pork mileanese was tough. Unfortunately, I can honestly say Olive Garden has better Italian food than this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Wonderful Place to Dine. Experienced & Very respectful & Polite Staff. Food is Superb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari
We had a fantastic night out at Fortunato - our best in years. Atmosphere was great - we were sat immediately with our reservation and our waiter was perfect - attentive without being overbearing. Cocktails/food/dessert were phenomenal and our dinner was very reasonable for what we got. This was our first time here but we're looking forward to returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was different but good drinks was tasty
Hands down the best in Roanoke. Everything my wife and I have had here has been amazing! Our server Josh, is the best we have ever had serve us at any restaurant. Attentive but not annoying, he knows just when to arrive and never overstays his welcome. This place rocks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an enjoyable evening out during a business dinner. Atmosphere was 5 star! Service was almost 5 star, however we did feel a bit rushed in getting our food order in before we were even served our cocktails. The food was very good and we will return on our next visit to Roanoke!
Our server was friendly, attentive and considerate. There when he was needed, funny and also careful to not disturb the table when it wasn't necessary. The food was delicious, beautiful and prepared surprisingly quickly. The carbonara in particular was simple (as it should be) but perfectly cooked and seasoned. We'll be back soon.
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent! The food was good as always. However, the real thing that set this particular Fortunato experience apart was the service. Gwen was absolutely excellent-attentive without being overwhelming, kept our wine/water topped up at all times, and was overall just a bubbly personality.
As always, Fortunato was wonderful. We had a new server Gwen and she was a 10 out of 10. Orders were prompt, correct and food was so tasty. Can't say anything bad about our experience.
Had not visited this restaurant in a while and was pleasantly surprised. Wait staff was friendly and helpful. Food was excellent, especially the grilled branzino (fish). The salamedi di choccolato desert was also excellent. Best shortbread I've had anywhere. The chocolate wafer had just the right hint of orange. Will put this place on my regular list of restaurants to frequent. Great location because it's just down the street from its sister restaurant, Lucky's. Had to stop in there for a night cap and visit Kent and Taylor, the best bartenders in Roanoke.
We had a wonderful evening. Great atmosphere. It actually looked like they seated couples in one area which more quiet and great for valentines and large groups elsewhere. Don't know if this was intentional or just happened but it was lovely
I agree with most of Arif C. Adams review. Cool restaurant with fantastic service in downtown Roanoke. I only had a pizza and a glass of wine, and I enjoyed my experience. I will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Margherita