La Fortuna Restaurant:

A Place To Feel At Home

Every meal is special at La Fortuna Restaurant on Route 6, Bethel, where owner and Master Chef Michael Valeri has catered to guests since 1981, but it is not just for special occasions. Families, business people, couples, and individuals are all warmly welcomed by Chef Michael, his son, Michael Jr, and an attentive staff, whether stopping in for a quick pizza and beer in the bar, impressing a first date, or just enjoying family time together.

The bar and lounge area is the perfect place for an after work martini with friends, to knock down a cold beer or sip a glass of fine wine. Customers can choose between table seating or settling into a comfortable ladder-backed stool at the oak bar.

In the main dining room, floor-to-ceiling murals handpainted by New York City artist Patricia Roth give diners the feeling of being dropped into the Tuscan countryside. The spacious dining room seats up to 110 guests, and flows into a smaller private dining area, offset by iron gates and flowing drapery.

La Fortuna also hosts large parties, special celebrations, and weddings in the banquet rooms off of the main dining area. One large space can be subdivided into as many as four private areas with room for 25 to 200 guests. Each boasts elegantly dressed tables and accessories beneath chandeliers and natural light flowing in through the windows looking out onto the garden patio, where still more guests can be accommodated. A perimeter of tailored evergreens surrounds the lawn area of the patio and seasonal flowers bloom profusely from baskets, borders, and planters. The gazebo, set back from the restaurant, is picture perfect for photographs.

Most importantly, La Fortuna provides the same personal touches and cooked-to-order meals, whether serving two guests or 200.

Along with the atmosphere, it is the food and service that has attracted and kept clientele for 30 years. Personally prepared by Chef Michael or under his watchful eye, the meals are crafted to please the most discriminating palate. It is tight teamwork in the kitchen and on the floor that allows him to do it right, says Chef Michael. Diners should not be surprised to find Chef Michael visiting the dining room, as he finds as much pleasure in knowing the food is fully enjoyed as in preparing it. Michael Jr is always on hand, as well, to ensure that the youngest to the oldest customer has a great experience.

Fried calamari with cherry peppers in a balsamic reduction; or eggplant caprese, with fresh tomatoes, kitchen crafted mozzarella, and a marinara sauce; or the daily soup are popular starts to the meal, and daily appetizer specials mean that regular customers never run out of new things to try.

Main courses can be one of any classic offerings, such as veal or lamb shank osso bucco, or lobster fra diavlo, or lighter fare prepared to allow the honest flavors of Mediterranean cuisine shine through. While Chef Michael believes each dish sent to the table is prepared in the manner best suited to it, he willingly tailors orders to suit a customer’s preference. “You should cook for the customer,” says the chef, and he encourages customers to communicate with the waitstaff, so that special needs are met. Gluten-free pizza, pastas, and desserts are served at La Fortuna.

From rigatoni to gnocchi, every pasta served at La Fortuna is made on site, and paired with the perfect sauce.

Salads, from a delicately dressed Caesar salad to one of simple mixed greens, or fresh vegetable sides, are fine accompaniments to the main courses.

Handmade pizzas have a special appeal for La Fortuna diners of all ages. The La Fortuna is topped with prosciutto, green olives, roasted red and yellow peppers, and Parmigiana reggiano cheese. Seafood lovers will appreciate a topping of grilled scallops, shrimp, and mussels in a red sauce. Marinated grilled vegetable pizza or a white sauce pizza with goat cheese and ricotta are yet other pizza options.

Be sure to save room for Chef Michael’s own tiramisu, a slice of cheesecake, a delicate zabaglione, or any of the other desserts made on premises.

La Fortuna offers luncheon special Monday through Friday, from noon to 3 pm,  and on Sunday, from noon to 4 pm, consisting of a choice of soup or salad, and a selection from one of five pastas, or pizza, at just $9.95 for adults and $5.95 for children under the age of 12. The prix fixe meal of soup or salad, and a choice of select entrées such as veal, fish, chicken, pasta, or a steak option is available at lunch and dinner, for $14.99 per person.

An extensive list of wines from France, Italy, and California to accompany the meals, includes a superb collection of 1997 vintage wines from Napa Valley vineyards, including Insignia, Frog’s Leap, Opus, and Robert Mondavi Reserves. Many wines are available by the glass, and Italian and America beers, as well as a full bar, are served at La Fortuna.

Outdoor dining is enjoyable on the Tuscan garden patio at the rear of the restaurant in warmer weather, where rows of manicured evergreens mute the sounds of any traffic going by.

La Fortuna Restaurant, 37 Stony Hill Road (Route 6) in Bethel, is open for lunch Monday through Friday, from noon to 3 pm, and on Sunday, from noon to 4 pm. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10:30 pm, and on Sunday from 4 to 8 pm. For takeout, to book parties, or to make reservations, call 203-797-0909. For more information, visit the website at lafortunarest.com.