New SouthPark restaurant offers interactive tableside dining and fresh pasta

Cioppino ($48) at Fontana Di Vino. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Fontana Di Vino is a new Italian restaurant in SouthPark offering freshly made pastas and interactive family-style dining experiences.

Why it matters: Chef Scott Leibfried brings a fun atmosphere and an engaging menu to Fontana Di Vino, following his time with Gordon Ramsay on "Hell's Kitchen" and his Hawaiian restaurant with Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood, which was destroyed in the 2023 fires, CBJ reported.

Context: Much of Leibfried's extensive background in the restaurant industry influenced his vision for his south Charlotte restaurant. In May, he partnered with Charlotte-based Famous Toastery co-founder Robert Maynard to bring his latest concept to life.

• In addition to spending 10 seasons as a sous chef on Hell's Kitchen, Leibfried has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in London, and owned restaurants in Santa Barbara and Manhattan.

What they're saying: Leibfried tells Axios that while working on his Maui restaurant with Fleetwood, they often hosted unexpected live performances— an experience that taught him the value of creating a space that's bold and full of surprises, something he plans to incorporate at Fontana Di Vino.

• "We have table-side services, which I've always loved my entire life, but you only see them in environments where, you know, there's white gloves and people are wearing tuxedos. Those are the types of things that I think everybody should have the opportunity to experience," Leibfried said.

Some of their specialty dishes can be prepped and explained at the table. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The polenta pour can feed two people. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Dig in: Expect a menu that features traditional Italian cuisine with ingredients like black truffles sourced from Italy and fresh pasta, along with innovative touches such as pinsa — a Roman-style flatbread pizza.

• The restaurant offers multiple tableside activations — such as a polenta pour and veal chop — where the ingredients are prepped and plated in front of you to create an interactive and educational experience.

• Drinks include an extensive selection of Italian and California wines, plus classic cocktails with an innovative twist. Highlights include a sangria topped with sorbet and a lemon drop made with limoncello that tastes like key lime pie.
  

The Campanelle Tartufo ($55) has a pecorino romano, egg yolk, black pepper and shaved molise black truffle from Italy. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The Mortadella pinsa is their take on a Roman flatbread with mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, pistachio and stracciatella. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The vibe: The 5,000-square-foot space has eclectic artwork and indoor bar, table, and patio seating for 160 people. Eventually, they hope to offer weekly live music.

Stop by: Find Fontana Di Vino at 4905 Ashley Park Lane, the space formerly occupied by David Burke's Falcon & Fox, which closed after less than a year in business.

• Fontana Di Vino open Sunday through Thursday 4-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 4-10:30pm.



What's next: By the end of the summer, the restaurant will offer a private counter dining experience served family style. The hope is to also open their second restaurant in Davidson by September.

The wrap around bar has plenty of seating. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Throughout the restaurant, you'll notice murals and eclectic artwork. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios