La Fontana
Georgina Pellant
La Fontana, Blackpool can be relied upon to deliver all the date night classics: killer wine, flickering candlelight, and lovingly-prepared plates that are big on flavour. Its social media profile might be thin on the ground, but don’t let that put you off investigating this stunning, classically Italian restaurant.
Established in Blackpool town centre for over 30 years, the family-run trattoria is a hit with locals and tourists alike. Cosy and traditional with twinkling fairy lights, roman pillars, a fountain (after which the restaurant is named), and pink shuttered windows, it almost fools you into thinking you’re dining in an Italian piazza at dusk. Look up, and you’ll even find an artistic depiction of the night sky.
Beloved by couples and families alike, owner Franco and his team offer a comprehensive a la carte menu, serving up all the usual pizza and pasta favourites alongside a short list of fresh fish and meat dishes. The house penne arrabbiata provides a heftier-than-usual kick thanks to its spicy ‘nduja and salami, whilst a naughty-but-nice carbonara strays impishly from tradition with the controversial addition of a dyed in the wool British favourite: cream. If you can’t beat them, might as well join them.
As ever, a good Italian restaurant is defined by the freshness of its ingredients. Being on the Irish sea, it makes sense for the kitchen to capitalise on the abundance of fresh fish on its doorstep: and they do. Prawns, mussels, sea bass, salmon and squid all make a prominent appearance on the menu, leaving seafood lovers somewhat spoilt for choice. But there’s plenty for meat eaters too, with options ranging from slow-roasted lamb shank and sirloin steaks, to ragu-stuffed cannelloni and a crispy breadcrumbed chicken Milanese.
The award-winning restaurant also serves its own homemade chicken liver pate cooked with brandy, herbs and cream, and makes its pizza dough daily using premium 00 Italian flour. Prices are affordable, with pizza and pasta dishes around £12-14 and meat dishes over £20.
Drinks wise, you’ll find Italian cocktail favourites including the house negroni and Aperol spritz, classic pre-dinner cocktails designed to whet your appetite. If you’re not fancying a cocktail, though, alongside these you’ll also find a good list of Italian DOC and table wines as well as a few surprise extra additions, such a Provence wine Whispering Angel.
Open Wednesday to Monday, if you’re looking for a quality Italian fix in Blackpool you can’t go wrong with La Fontana. It’s a local favourite for a reason.
