Buona Forchetta Heading to Newport Beach

Buona Forchetta will be opening its seventh location this year in Newport Beach, bringing a second location to Orange County after the brand’s San Clemente location opened earlier this year.

The Newport Beach spot will open at 2280 Newport Blvd, Suite 104 at the Peninsula Village , joining current retail tenants Shorebird, Legend Coastal and Rumble Boxing. The new location will offer Buona Forchetta customers with marina views along the waterfront.

Buona Forchetta owner Matteo Cattaneo — originally from Italy — opened the first spot in San Diego to bring a warm, authentic Italian atmosphere to Southern California customers. Since then, the brand has expanded to six locations across Southern California and also includes other concepts like its nonprofit restaurant, Matteo for a Cause, in South Park, San Diego, which donates all proceeds to charity.

Buona Forchetta serves lunch and dinner. The menu features appetizers like fried pizza bites and fried calamari, salads, vegan dishes, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana and an extensive pizza list ranging from classics like margherita pizza to no-sauce options. The menu also includes a build-your-own-pasta option.

The beverage menu features cocktails, a limited beer menu and an extensive selection of wines. The dessert offerings include classic Italian desserts such as tiramisu and cannolis.

While the Newport spot originally planned to open in mid-summer, it is still listed as “coming soon” on the website. It is expected that the location will open at the Peninsula Village this year.

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