$$$$ • Italiana • Wilmington
Fortuna Cucina Italiana is a contemporary Italian restaurant focused on seasonality, craftsmanship, and high-quality, thoughtfully-sourced ingredients. Its organic-driven menu emphasizes simplicity, traditional techniques, and careful preparation, allowing the natural flavors of each dish to shine. Designed as a versatile, everyday dining destination, Fortuna offers a welcoming atmosphere suited for both casual meals and intimate gatherings, with a commitment to consistency, quality, and understated elegance.The concept comes from restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, a prominent Southeast hospitality leader with over 30 years of experience developing acclaimed restaurants and markets. Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef and Partner Chris Lewnes, whose Italian American roots and classical French training—refined in notable kitchens like Bâtard, Augustine, and Sartiano’s—inform his approach. Together, they deliver refined Italian cuisine with authenticity, precision, and warmth.
