Honestly, if you’re driving down SW Lost River Road in Stuart and blink, you might miss it. La Forchetta in Stuart sits right between a Wendy’s and a Dunkin’ Donuts. It doesn't exactly scream "fine dining" from the parking lot. But that’s basically the point.
Most people in Martin County are used to the polished, waterfront vibes of downtown Stuart or the upscale sheen of Jupiter. Then there’s La Forchetta. It’s a family-owned spot that’s been doing things the "Old World" way since 2009. The founder, Dominic Di Fede, actually had a knack for picking locations that felt overlooked. He’d find these tucked-away corners and turn them into local legends. He passed away in 2020, but his daughter Francesca and son-in-law Gianluca have kept the torch burning. It’s the kind of place where the sauce—sorry, gravy—practically runs in their veins.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Menu
When you walk into a place that has "Pizzeria" on the sign, your brain goes straight to a pepperoni slice. You're not wrong; the pizza is great. But sticking to a slice here is a rookie mistake.
The real magic is in the "Secondi" and the specialty pastas. Take the Chicken Luca. Most newcomers try to order a standard Chicken Parm to "test the waters." Francesca will literally tell you no. She’ll point you toward the Luca—sautéed with shiitake mushrooms and asparagus, topped with mozzarella, and finished in a light plum tomato-wine sauce. It’s lighter than a breaded parm but hits way harder on flavor.
Then there’s the Burrata and Beans. It sounds simple, maybe even boring to some. But they serve warm butter beans and roasted cherry tomatoes around a massive dollop of creamy mozzarella, drizzled with Florida orange blossom honey. You’ll want to ask for extra bread. You'll need it to soak up the leftover oil and honey at the bottom of the plate.
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The Dish with a Secret History
There is one specific plate that never leaves the menu: Penne di Pappa.
This wasn't just a kitchen experiment. It was actually the dish served at Dominic and Rosalia’s wedding banquet decades ago. It’s a mix of sautéed shiitake mushrooms and a homemade Bolognese, but then they hit it with a creamy pink vodka sauce and shaved Parmesan. It’s heavy. It’s indulgent. It’s basically a hug in a bowl.
Why the "Hidden" Location Actually Works
Stuart is a weird mix of old Florida and new money. You’ve got the massive fishing boats at the marinas and the quiet residential neighborhoods of South Stuart. La Forchetta is located at 7820 SW Lost River Rd, which is basically right off I-95.
Because it’s not in the middle of a high-traffic shopping mall, the crowd is mostly locals. You’ll see families celebrating 50th anniversaries at one table and guys in fishing shirts grabbing a quick beer and a veal piccata at the bar. The interior is cozy—trattoria-style—with twinkling lights and a vibe that feels more like someone’s living room than a commercial kitchen.
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- Atmosphere: Casually upscale. You can wear jeans, but the food is white-tablecloth quality.
- Service: Intimate. Francesca and the staff treat regulars like actual human beings, not just table numbers.
- Vibe: It’s loud in a good way. The sound of clinking wine glasses and laughter is the default background noise.
The Reality of Getting a Table
Here is the truth: you need a reservation. Even though it’s "hidden," the secret has been out for years. If you show up on a Friday night at 7:00 PM without calling ahead, you’re probably going to be waiting in that parking lot next to the Dunkin' drive-thru for a while.
They are open for lunch (typically 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM) and dinner (starting at 4:30 PM), but they close between those windows. On Sundays and Saturdays, they usually skip the lunch service and just open for the evening crowd. It’s a small space, so parties of five or more definitely need to call well in advance.
A Note on the "Pizza Side" vs. "Dining Side"
While the restaurant is one cohesive unit, there’s a slight mental divide. You can absolutely grab a high-end Wild Mushroom Ravioli with slow-braised short rib port wine sauce. Or, you can go the casual route with a Mimmo’s Pizza—which is a wild combination of chunky sausage, shrimp, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts.
Yes, shrimp on a pizza. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but in a Sicilian-fusion kitchen, it somehow does.
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Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to La Forchetta in Stuart, don't just wing it. Follow these steps to actually enjoy the experience:
- Skip the standard soda: Check their wine list. They focus on imported Italian labels that pair specifically with the acidity of their plum tomato sauces.
- Order the Pistachio Cream Cake: It’s layers of sponge cake with ricotta cream and powdered sugar. It’s frequently cited as the best dessert in the building.
- Check the Facebook page: They are old-school. They post their daily specials on Facebook rather than updating a fancy digital menu every five minutes.
- Ask about the "Gravy": If you’re a fan of authentic Sunday sauce, ask what’s fresh. Their sauces are made from scratch daily, and they don't cut corners with pre-made bases.
- Park in the back: The front lot can get cramped because of the neighboring fast-food spots, but there is usually more room as you wrap around the building.
If you’re looking for a generic, quiet, corporate Italian chain, this isn't it. But if you want a place where the owner might recognize you on your second visit and the veal is tender enough to cut with a fork, this is the spot. It's a slice of Brooklyn and Sicily dropped right into the middle of a Florida suburb.
To make the most of your evening, call them at (772) 872-7333 to snag a table, especially if you’re heading there during the winter "snowbird" season when Stuart gets packed.