+1 860-663-1155+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Mon
11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue
11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed
11:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Fri
11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat
11:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
Details
About
Full Italian restaurant serving gourmet pizza, homemade pastas seafood, meats and a lot more greatest wine list in Connecticut Private rooms Great for all private functions outdoor deck and outdoor bar 4 miles from Clinton crossing outlets
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
435 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
67
Average
47
Poor
27
Terrible
38
rwalsh1348
56 contributions
Favorite Review
Sep 2023 • couples
Not sure why it took so long to find La Foresta after living in central CT for 10 years but this place is a gem. Classic family run Italian restaurant. Food was outstanding salad was from their onsite garden entrees were perfect. They have the largest wine cellar in CT we got to tour it with the sommelier whose knowledge and passion for wine was inspiring But the wine list was amongst the best I’ve seen. Values galore. The service was on the mark. We felt like we were welcomed into their family for a special evening. Well done!
Written September 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imaginehd
Madison45 contributions
Feb 2020 • business
Francesco and his brother Mario, the owners, have created your finest dining experience ever. You will enjoy a wide selection of appetizers, main courses and desserts all prepared by an accomplished chef. Each menu item will be beautifully presented as a masterpiece created individually for you by their chef. The quality of the food products and the flavors experienced represent the finest in European Cuisine. The bar stocks any spirit you may desire and the wine cellar has the largest selection in the state. This is THE restaurant to put on your to do list. You will find yourself comparing all other restaurants to the quality and warmth of LaForesta.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drew
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • none
My grandparents recently treated my parents and me to this restaurant for dinner.
Just turning 21, I was looking forward to trying some of their wine (which they have a plethora of). I ordered a glass of the red Douglass Hill, and I was not disappointed. In fact, everyone in our party enjoyed their beverages and cocktails.
The dinner menu offered many surprises for an Italian restaurant. I had the spicy meatballs, which definitely lived up to their name and paired well with my wine. The portion sizes for the entrees are big enough to suffice lunch for the next day, so keep that in mind. The summer specials were spectacular as well, especially if you are a fan of seafood. My entire family enjoyed their food and even took them home. Desserts even tasted fresh and housemade as well.
I do knock off a bubble for a couple of reasons:
1) Upon arrival, we were promptly seated outside under a large white tent and offered water to start. We dined during an 85-degree day with a dew point in the 70s (very muggy). Instantly, we began baking in the heat and wanting to move inside. However, during our meal it appeared everyone arriving was being seated outside as well. At most, they should have fans blowing towards the diners to stimulate airflow.
2) Our waitress for the evening (I forget her name, she was not wearing a nametag) seemed a bit new and possibly overwhelmed. On several occasions, she forgot a drink or two we ordered and failed to clear our plates despite passing by several times. I work as a waiter myself, so maybe I'm being over-critical here. Another waitress was shadowing her and she did a wonderful job of taking care of us. Hats off to her, I wish I remembered her name (she had a European accent).
3) HOT PLATES! Especially for my entree, the lobster mac and cheese. It would've been nice to be alerted by the food runner that the bowl the mac and cheese is served in was scorching hot. I touched the bowl to move it away from the edge of the underlying plate and instantly burned all the fingerprints off my right hand. It took 5 minutes of me holding my water glass before I could begin eating. A mistake on my part, yes, but it is common courtesy to alert guests to hot plates to avoid injury like this.
Overall, we had a positive experience at this restaurant and we plan on returning in the future.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal538622
New York City3 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Just to start, the only thing italian is the name of the restaurant. I’m from Italy, and I think I can judge what real italian food is. I’ll start with the good things. The restaurant has a really good space, and parking lot. Location is very nice. As soon as you walk inside you will quickly realize that there is very little italian fear. Decor overcrowded with bottles and a thick unsanitary area carpet, something you will never see in any restaurant in Italy , or any other authentic italian restaurant in US. Service was ok. We were a party of five and ordered different appetizers and main dishes. They brought out the appetizers with one of the main dishes and the rest at different times. The kid’s dishes came out last when we specifically asked to have them out first, a simple penne al pomodoro that came out overloaded with grated cheese without asking for , and a chicken strips that were dried and hard .
When it came to our dishes, they were overloaded with unnecessary ingredients and salt to camouflage the lack of flavor. Way overpriced. To say that this is italian food, is blasphemy.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth B
Old Saybrook15 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Although my husband and I had heard mixed reviews about this restaurant, we believe we should make our own opinions, and we are usually pleasantly surprised. In this case, we were sorely disappointed. It was our wedding anniversary, so we were looking forward to celebrating with a great meal. The host barely acknowledged us. He offered us the option of sitting on the porch (which he said was heated on this chilly night) or in the main dining room. We chose the porch. As soon as we were seated it was clear that the porch was not adequately heated (the plastic sheeting was not sufficient to hold in the hot air - and it was incredibly loud. So we asked to be moved to the main dining room. The host huffed at us and said that they put people who wear masks on the porch (I was wearing a mask, which I removed once I was seated at our table). He claimed that the porch temp was the same as the dining room - a complete UNTRUTH. The dining room was a comfortable temperature.
We were looking forward to celebrating with cocktails and a delicious dinner. Our martinis were good. But the food left much to be desired. The shrimp wrapped in pancetta appetizer was dry and lacked much flavor. It was difficult to cut the shrimp and the pancetta broke apart into dust! My husband ordered the NY strip steak - it was a large piece of meat that was tough and full of gristle. The worst steak he’s ever eaten. I ordered the braised short ribs, which were tender and tasty, but very ordinary. I make short ribs at home and know how they can be much better than what I had at LaForesta. The servers were pleasant but they neglected to clear our table of our dirty appetizer plates until after we were eating our entrees (we had to stack the dirty plates so that they would remove them).
BOTTOM LINE … we will never return to LaForesta. The food is, at best, ordinary and, at worst, horrible. And the host needs an attitude adjustment.
Written October 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CountryGirls2015
Woodstock5 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We found LaForesta the very first weekend we moved here and have been going there ever since. I can honestly say that we have tried everything on their menu. Love their food, love the servers, and absolutely adore their amazing wine list. The Involtini Di Melanzane is our favorite appetizer. My husband loves the Iceberg Wedge salad and I always order the Caesar Classica. Portions are large and we often share. We love the Vitello Alla Madeira, and they have even substituted chicken for us when they're not busy (we don't ask when they are). The owners are very sweet, and Frank who serves and acts as sommelier is very knowledgeable and is always happy to help you find the perfect bottle of wine. I won't address what I've seen here as less than perfect reviews because I think that they may be motivated by something other than jut to give a review of food.
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony
Orange1 contribution
Dec 2020 • none
I came to La Foresta to have dinner with my brother and the experience was one of the best I've ever had. When you walk into La Foresta you're greeted by a beautiful ambiance of the decor of the restaurant along with staff that are very welcoming. We started off with a handful of appetizers but my favorite has got to be the Zuppa di clams and Gamberi Panchetta. (The shrimp wrapped in bacon over sautéed spinach) For dinner, I had the Filet and Lobster which was amazing and my brother had the Atlantic Salmon which he said was great. I was elated when I saw the wide variety of the wine list at La Foresta so I ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer Knights Valley Reserve RP 91 which paired nicely with the steak. The drive to La Foresta is worth it and i urge everyone to eat here since its my new favorite restaurant.
Written December 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
1 contribution
Dec 2020 • family
My family and I came to LaForesta for dinner Saturday night. First of all we all felt very safe and comfortable as the entire staff was wearing masks, the tables were all 6 feet apart,we even noticed there was even sanitizer on all the tables, even in the bar area we noticed a plexiglass separating the bartender from guests. We felt very comfortable.
As for dinner, we were greated very warmly by the owner, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating to our needs. We choose a wine off of thier tremendous wine list and it was decanted by Frank( wine director). Our dinner was cooked to perfection and the presentation was beautiful as the food was simply delicious. What a wonderful dining experience at such a beautiful and hospitable and very safe restaurant. We can't wait to come back.
Written December 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRJ1963
Essex45 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Made reservations for 8:00 for a birthday dinner. We arrived at 7:45 and said we had reservations for 8:00. Owner rudely just said “go sit in the bar”. We said “while we wait for our table?” and he replied “No, to eat!” I reminded him we had table reservations for 8:00 and he just said “ it is 7:45!” And stomped off and left us standing there. He stopped back a few minutes later to “explain” his remarks. We started to say it was fine but he rudely interrupted and just offered his explanation anyway. Once seated we were never approached by the waiter for close to 20 minutes as the owner never bothered to tell anyone we were seated. ( not waiters fault as he was doing his best to keep up with customers all over the restaurant and was a trooper!) during dinner owner stopped by to talk to everyone but us. Our only sin was to arrive 15 minutes prior to our reservation. As an aside as we waited a party of 6 showed up 20 minutes LATE for their reservation and were happily greeted and shown to their table. Food was good as always but this needless rude behavior cast a shadow over the entire evening. I see several reviews which call out rude and arrogant behavior by the owner and he has not changed his behavior so I guess this review is all for not but I could not let this slide. It would do him well to remember that if he chooses to be the face of the restaurant it would serve him to treat his customers as something more than an inconvenience.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisa s
2 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
Went to the restaurant for a nice early Valentine’s Day dinner . We had reservations and was seated promptly. Waitress came over my boyfriend ordered the surf & turf I ordered the linguini & lobster . No sooner did we order two minutes later the food arrived ? The couple next to us said wow 😯
Shrimp were ice cold ( like shrimp cocktail) the steak was bloody and flipped on its side once ( ordered medium well ) by the time waitress came around send food back 20 minutes goes by no dinner meanwhile mines getting cold waiting to be polite to eat and to enjoy my food with my boyfriend.
Finally I have had enough now no steak knife and waitress was gone couldn’t find anyone else . To clarify she was new so overwhelmed
Went to owner he said she is new and messy up everything
Wait a minute she didn’t mess up order your chef did ! He still keep blaming her
Never again. Not worth the drive or for that matter the cost of the entrees
This place is over rated and no second chances here
Written February 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peridot63
Haddam35 contributions
Jul 2021 • friends
We started with the fried calamari with hot peppers. When it arrived the calamari was tossed and saturated in a marinara sauce. It resulted in the calamari being soggy instead of being crispy. For the entree I ordered the fried oysters. Not sure how they were cooked but they certainly were not fried. They were also very small oysters. The other dinners came with mashed potato and vegetable sides, the oyster dinner didn’t come with any side dishes.
The restaurant seemed to be very short staffed. A number of times a server came to our table to deliver food that was not our order. We had heard rave reviews about this restaurant but I don’t think we’ll be going back.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
Connecticut72 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
Tables are close together. Menus are not paper. The deck is covered over. It’s the same as eating inside. There is bar seating. Indoor dining is also not socially distanced. Nothing is sanitized here. You get the impression from owners that the Covid precautions are unnecessary. Servers are great, though. Owner is rude and dismissive
Food quality is inconsistent
I’m done with this restaurant
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melissa
Cromwell3 contributions
Sep 2021 • family
I dined at La Foresta on Sunday with my family and it was a home run! The filet and lobster was cooked to perfection! My husband enjoyed the Rigatoni Bolognese very much. We were seated outside at first. What a beautiful patio! It began to rain and I asked the gentleman if we could move inside. I felt awful because they looked short staffed. The manager (Marco maybe?) helped us move our cocktails inside. Our server was knowledgeable and helped us with all of our menu questions. My daughter has a gluten allergy and her allergy was treated very seriously. We took our server’s recommendation on a few specials, what a treat!
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank R
Guilford4 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
Be prepared for sticker shock here.
The entrees range in price from $25 to $65.
For $65 you get an eight-ounce filet and a four-ounce lobster tail.
I had the scampi special for $35. The same meal cost $25 at the Fish Tale and the quality is better.
My wife had a pasta dinner, which she said was very 'rich'.
Inside, the restaurant is beautiful. It is too bad the food quality and prices are not.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy S
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • couples
This was my first time eating at La Foresta and left knowing it won’t be my last. I was very impressed with the overall experience and would recommend this Restaurant for your next Dinner out.
The food was delicious and I highly recommend their Fillet - perfectly cooked.
I appreciated the service and care, our Server was attentive and went out of her way to make sure everything was satisfactory.
A very happy Customer, we will be going back for sure!
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 433
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing