Taste Of The Town: La Fontana, Doral's Newest Authentic Italian Eatery
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DORAL (CBSMiami) – Welcome to La Fontana, Doral's newest authentic Italian eatery straight from Venezuela! Did we say Italian food from Venezuela? Yes we did! La Fontana was founded in South America in 1980 by an Italian restaurateur, who moved there 25 years ago.
Levin De Grazia is the son of the original founder.
"Everything started in Venezuela with my father any my uncles. They created the first La Fontana after that my brothers and I took it over. Now we have 6 restaurants in Venezuela and one here we have plans for two more coming to South Florida," Levin said.
So what's so special about La Fontana? Well, first we'll say its "La Familia!" Old family pictures fill the walls like a treasured memory book.
"Those are all family pictures. You see my grandfather and my uncles," Levin said pointing out old picture on the wall.
The space is comfortable and warm with an open kitchen featuring daily specials served made to order for lunch or dinner.
"Everything is made from scratch beginning with breads, pastas as well as the desserts, as an example of this is our Tiramisu. We make everything from the cream to the cookie," he said.
And what's not made from scratch is imported directly from Italy, such as the cheeses , the olive oils and the prosciutto hams.
So lets mangia! CBS4's Lisa Petrillo begins her "Taste of the Town" with their special Carpaccio. It's marinated in beet juice for 48 hours.
"The Carpaccio is super thin, razor thin. There's a wonderful sauce on top which is delicious then with salad it becomes a perfectly light Italian salad," Petrillo said.
The flour for the dough is also imported from Italy and the Prosciutto and Parmesan Pizza with arugula on top feels like a Tuscan treat.
"The pizza crust is thin and perfect and the salt of the prosciutto gives it a kick. I love the arugula on top. It's a really a refreshing Italian pizza," Lisa gushed.
The La Fontana Signature pasta made with home taglatelle pasta with fresh pesto topped with fresh burrata is a specialty.
"That's delicious! The pasta is super fresh and light and cream of burrata blends with sun dried tomatoes. It's a special pasta," she said.
And finally can you Cannoli? Lisa can! One had mascarpone cheese the other stuffed with chocolate!
La Fontana is opened for lunch and dinner 7 days a week and brunch Friday through Sunday.