WHOLEY RAVIOLI CARRIES ON 58 YEAR FAMILY TRADITION

Traditions.... that is what the Fortuna family had in mind when they opened Wholey Ravioli Italian Ristorante in Galt eight years ago. The first family restaurant was opened in 1945 in Niagara Falls, NY.  "I saw Wholey Ravioli as a way to preserve the family tradition of serving wholesome, home-style recipes at prices the whole family could enjoy." explains David Fortuna, who with his wife Patrice, designed and operate this restaurant in the Galt Plaza.

David's Grandfather, Francesco Fortuna left Rieti, Italy in 1921, at the age of 26 to seek his fortune in America. He was a barber in Italy, having once trimmed the head of the pope, and he worked as a barber in Niagara Falls during the week. On Sundays he worked as a cook for weddings. Francesco met his future wife Clementina in America. They married, and together they cooked.

Francesco trained under his uncle, who was an acclaimed chef in Rome. In 1945, Francesco became a chef in his own restaurant in Niagara Falls. From that day until today, his recipes and culinary skills have been passed down through two succeeding generations. His sauce is made the same today as he learned to make it from his uncle in Rieti. The salad dressing is a guarded family recipe.

Francesco's son Joseph and his wife Carmella, instilled in their children, David, Joe Jr. and Maria the importance of hard work and dedication to what you believe in. The original Fortuna's Restaurant grew to regional renown under Joe and Carm's watchful eye. It is now operated dutifully in the family tradition by Joseph Jr.   Maria, the youngest sibling, is pursuing a career in opera, an aspiration that has led to her performing throughout the U.S. and Europe with major opera companies. David and his family moved to the Sacramento, California area in 1985.

Ensuring family traditions are kept alive is important to both of the Fortuna brothers. "When we were planning our logo for Wholey Ravioli, Patrice and I wanted to include the line "Traditional Italian Goodness" David says. "At the same time, Joe Jr. in Niagara Falls printed a new menu with "Tradition" and pictures of Grandma and Grandpa on the cover. And we never discussed any of this. It shows where our thoughts are."

All food at Wholey Ravioli is prepared fresh and as ordered. No preservatives or artificial starters are used. The oversized raviolis and meatballs are hand made.

A whole meal is included in the dinner price: a salad; choice of soup or Italian greens and beans; entree; and dessert. David is chef in his own kitchen and prepares every meal. He will not compromise quality for convenience, something his Grandfather Francesco taught him early on. "To the person that recognizes the value in a cooked to order meal prepared personally by the chef-owner, the little extra time it takes in preparation is worth the wait," promises David. "Dining should be an experience to be shared with good wine and good company. Today, we have a tendency to get away from that. At Wholey Ravioli, we are trying to offer a place that is comfortable and friendly, a place where you can be romantic or just relax."

Wholey Ravioli is a place just like that. Upon entering, you pass through a stone archway to a little bit of Italy. The dining room has an airy feel to it, with exposed trusses and ductwork that are painted a muted plum that seem to make the confines fade away. Walking past the large fountain that is at the center of the room, you notice the detail that has been taken with every element of the decor. From the carved balustrades and paned windows on the second story over the awnings that cover the booths to the massive stone architectural pieces that frame the windows, a lot of time and thought went into Wholey Ravioli to create just the right feel of an Italian piazza. Espresso, wine and beer is served at a bar that has a front of hammered brass. Theatrical lighting highlights stained glass in the arched windows located over the bar. And everywhere there are angels and musical instruments, a traditional theme in Italian art. In a far corner, a large, hand painted mural framed by stone pillars completes the illusion, transporting  the viewer to the hills of Tuscany. Photographs of street vendors and colorful marketplaces taken by sister Maria on her travels to Italy adorn the walls.

The recently opened outside courtyard dining area allows for dining al fresco. A delta breeze cools the area and wisks away any smoke produced by smokers in one of the area's only smoking-permitted dining areas. "We like to provide a choice for our patrons," David says. "At the same time, we can ensure a pleasant environment for all by having an interior and a section of the courtyard that is smoke-free."

As the original Fortuna's Restaurant enters into it's second fifty years carrying on a tradition started three generations ago, David and Patrice are establishing that same tradition of quality and service in their own west coast version, Wholey Ravioli Italian Ristorante serving Traditional Italian Goodness.