I am an Italian from New York that moved here about 15 years ago. I love the south, but most of the Italian places I've tried have been anywhere from all right to downright bad.\n\nFontanella is an exception. It's a family-owned place, not a huge chain, and it shows through the food and the service. The restaurant is dimly lit and the decor gives a real authentic Italian feel, and there's a special section off to the side for a perfect romantic setting. The staff is friendly, not of the hopped-up-on-Prozac variety, but they make you feel like a regular even if you're a first-timer. We had a party of about 12 and they were very accommodating to our needs.\n\nThe menu is simple; pizza, pasta, chicken, veal, etc. No gimmicks. Prices are in line with competitors at around $10-18. The food is very authentic. No effort is wasted on making the food look pretty and neat like they do in the chains, the taste is enough to impress you. I've been to Fontanella several times but my favorite so far is the veal scallopini, so juicy and full of flavor. Fresh stuff too, even their croutons are freshly made. Oh, and if you still have room for dessert (good luck!) they have AWESOME cheesecake.\n\nOverall, a welcome change from the chains if you want a true taste of real Italian food.
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