Send your restaurant reviews to CWIRE! Richard Huxtable Glendale Dining Editor

La Fontana Italian Kitchen
933 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, 91202
Phone: (818)247-6256
Fax: (818)247-7438

Category: Italian
Price: Moderate
Hours: Mon-Sun, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Reservations: Optional

Too much of a good thing can be discovered inside La Fontana, which offers courtyard. style dining with elegance and expertise. Dancing pleasantly in the center of a serene gazebo is a sparkling fountain from which the name of this romantic restaurant is derived.

Nader Sabbah, the owner and a man possessing a natural sense of hospitality warmly greeted us. Maryann McCann and I, her ever-constant companion, were seated at a table whose smooth luminous top of peche marble was unusually beautiful. A cloth of any kind would serve only as a cover to hide this marble surface which was to become part of the atmosphere of our dinner.

Rick, our courteous, easy-going server, brought us soothing appetizers of large artichoke hearts generously filled with an Italian salad of diced tomatoes, sliced avocado and carved slivers of artichoke heart dressed with a delicate oil.

Our Caesar Salad for two was tossed with a mild Caesar dressing whose recipe was a perfect complement to the crunchy pita bread used in place of croutons. To finish to taste, Rick ground for us fresh cracked black pepper.

The menu at La Fontana offers a captivating selection of main courses ranging from lightly flavored for the Pritikin palette to spicy, for those who care to enjoy more of a zing to their meal.

With everything the menu had to offer, Maryann still had her heart set on Veal Francaise, which is prepared with lemon butter and white wine sauce. Although her request was not on the menu, it was prepared superbly Without a moment's hesitation. I prefer seafood and found the baby scallops and broiled shrimp scampi served on a bed of lemon garlic angelhair pasta to suit my taste. Each meal was prepared to perfection.

I ordered spumoni ice cream for my dessert expecting to taste some bits of walnut in this green Italian favorite. Instead I tasted the sweetness of fresh cherries -- this was a delightful surprise. Maryann shared a taste of her raspberry sorbet and we agreed it was excellent.

Upon leaving, we thanked Nader for a wonderful evening. Then we asked Rick to take our picture in front of two harps placed front to front like a see through door to heaven. Rather than leaving it behind us, it will remind us to re-enter the doors of La Fontana very soon.

Prices are a la cart, but it affordable and well worth the quality of food, drink and service. We give it five stars.

La Fontana is located in a very strategic location in Glendale, at 933 N. Brand Blvd. on the corner of Glenoaks Blvd. The newly remodeled Glendale Hilton is located directly across the street from La Fontana, creating an appreciable increase in their business.

Reservations can be made by calling (818)247-6256. Hours open are Monday through Sunday from 11:00AM - 10:00PM. A full liquor bar, Entertainment of pianist Tuesday through Sunday.

Restaurant Review by Bob Sladek and Maryann McCann, ambassadors of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce

URL: http://cwire.com/local/dining/LaFontana.asp
Viewed: 7/5/2008 11:21:23 PM
Last Modified:
Source: Richard Huxtable, Inter Island Design (4/28/2000)
URLID: /local/dining/LaFontana.asp