12/29/08

Family Favorite

by ggsmom

Our family has been coming to La Fontana since the day it opened. We have shared so many wonderful meals celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc. Marcos & his team have always delivered an intimate, unique dining experience. The food is absolutely exceptional. We cherish this restaurant!

• Pros: Exceptional Food, Intimate, Incredible Employees

08/11/08

Delicious Food, Sketchy Parking

by HayleyU

La Fontana is a great place for a date and for a group of people to eat dinner. My boyfriend and I went around 6pm on a Thursday, right after work, and the place was desserted. The staff doted on us but also gave us time to be alone together. They were able to make our food quickly because we were the only guest; I think it was just as they were opening for the evening. My boyfriend loves the chicken marsala and I get the cheese ravioli. Due to the downtown location, parking is a challenge. We usually park in the pay lot by Taco Del Mar. This is an area where the homeless people rule the block. There always seems to be one who tries to get you to give up your paid parking slip when you are leaving so that they can sell it to someone else for cheaper (this is illegal in the city of Seattle). They are not afraid to come up to your car and knock on the windows, or stand in front of your car when you are trying to leave; they have even gone as far as to chase our car before when we wouldn't give up our slip. For this reason, I probably wouldn't bring my parents, grandparents or friends visiting from out of town here. My boyfriend and I have gotten used to it, but it definitely doesn't add to the dining experience.

• Pros: food, staff, the fact that they take reservations
• Cons: parking situation, overall location

03/05/08

Delicious, nice people

by iheartfood206

I happened upon La Fontana about a week ago and stopped in to see the menu, I decided to return with a friend over the weekend.

I must say I loved the food, and my friend did as well, we both regret not getting the specials, but the ravioli funghi and the tortellini cefalu were both fantastic. The caesar salad was great and was far better than the average salad I end up getting around town.

The service was great, I felt earnestly taken care of. And the dessert tray was also pretty awesome.

We split the tiramisu, which was very rich, and tasted great.

I would recommend it, I plan on going back some time soon, I feel like I need to try a lot more of the menu.

• Pros: Food, service, overall I liked it
• Cons: Slightly hard to find, its through the courtyard

02/28/08

Perfect date night

by pmf10

You would never know there is a restaurant in this spot. You walk in through a garden courtyard and take a side door into the restaurant. I was told they have seating outdoors during the summer (I can't wait till then so I can dine al fresco). My experiance was wonderful from the get go, the picturesque setiing wetted my appetite. The service was impecable yet still friendly the feeling was comfortable like being amongst friends. Oh my! The food! It was the best since I was back in New York. The bruschetta tasted so fresh as if the tomatoes were vine ripened, the wine was a great value and delicious. I had the risotto special with chestnuts and sausage so elegant my date had the veal marsala the best I have eaten ever. We finished with tiramisu which was light and full of flavor I would dare say it was heavenly. I am so glad my neighboors recomended this place the evening was perfection. I plan on visiting often.

• Pros: live music on weekends, al fresco dining, family operated
• Cons: parking

11/10/07

Not Sicilian! Simply Awful!!!

by hellobest

As another reviewer we decided to try this restaurant and confirm it tasted like frozen entree. This is not sicilian food. I mentioned some sicilian dishes I make. Leonardo didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I had the cannelloni. The red sauce tasted like a can of tomato paste. There was no taste to the filling. My husband had the special, penne pasta with italian sausage. The sausage and red sauce (lighter consistency then mine) were both simply awful. Leonardo would ask if everything was all right.. He jetted off before you could answer.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Everything! Even the fruit appetizer 3 orange slices/Balls of Mozzarella

08/20/07

Are you kidding me?

by baconhammer

After hearing all of the raves about this restaurant my wife and i decided to try it and I regretfully say, that it was some of the worst Italian food i've had in a long time. This food was like eating something from the freezer section of the grocery store. It was very bland and the attempt and a fine dining experience was failed miserably. I much rather would have spent my money on the spaghetti factory because i know what to expect (tasteless food matter). This restaurant definitely makes my "i tried it, and will never go back" list.

• Pros: music ambiance
• Cons: everything else

05/15/07

Nothing Fancy In A Great Setting

by huskyduck

Nestled in a tiny courtyard in Belltown is this Sicilian styled trattoria with two very small rooms. The menu features traditional Sicilian dishes such as chicken marsala, meat filled pastas and a few risotto offerings. The food is nothing fancy nor is it anything special when compared to newer places like Volterra or Tavolata but that doesn't mean it is bad. Dishes are simply prepared with fresh ingredients and service is swift and courteous. The atmosphere is quite quaint and romantic and would be a great place for a date. The wine list features many different Italian wines that are moderately priced. Wines by the glass are available and the house Sicilian red is especially good.

• Pros: Romantic setting, cozy ambience, moderately priced for Belltown
• Cons: No parking

02/18/07

Great, friendly service and tasty food

by gerickson

I took my date here for a little Valentine's Day dinner this week. I was pleasantly surprised to find the courtyard out front and thought it made for a romantic entry to the restaurant. I was a bit unpleasantly surprised by the size of the restaurant (it's tiny!) and I didn't expect it to be so quiet and intimate. If you're looking for a place that's more fun and loud, head to Mamma Melina's, but this place is perfect if you want to focus on the romantic aspect. The service is AMAZING...my date wanted something that wasn't on the menu and our waiter told us (in a thick Italian accent), "I didn't think they would, but I pushed them and pushed them, and they finally gave in. They will make it for you." Overall, the staff is very friendly and the food itself was delicious. Again, be prepared for the quiet, intimate atmosphere and the small dining room.

• Pros: Service
• Cons: A bit boring

12/06/06

Wow.

by jennw84

That's all I can say. It's not really creative I know, but words inadequately describe the magnificence of this ristorante. La Fontana does to Italian food what gelatto does to ice cream. After eating here, you won't settle ever again for anything less. When I entered into the courtyard, I was a little hestant as to why a restaurant was tucked away like this. Now I understand. It's romantic, secluded, intoxicatingly delicious. I would recommend steering away from the white cream sauces, because there is so much more on the menu that is interesting, bold and unique. You can get a cream sauce just about anywhere, but you can't get food like this anywhere else. Also, don't be shy or polite in saying "Let's just order one dessert and share it." because you are afraid your date will think you are a pig. Order one for each you because the homemade Tiramisu sets a new standard. If you share it with someone else, you will feel gypped.

• Pros: No screaming kids, excellent service, and Tiramisu!!!
• Cons: Street parking and waiting. It's a small restaurant

11/21/06

Very romantic

by mutarp2

This restaurant is very cute. Perfect for a date or just a fun dinner with a small group. It is very small however, so make reservations or be prepared to wait a bit.

• Pros: Romantic, piano music