Fern is a new contemporary Italian restaurant located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Opened in 2023, Chef Gianni Scappin and Luciano Valdivia opened their fourth location to offer Chef Scappin’s lauded, contemporary Italian menu, featuring seasonal, local ingredients combined with the highest quality Italian products.
Ulyana
Nothing special about this dinner. I do though appreciate them taking us as walk-ins on a Tuesday when many other places are closed. The beginning of our dinner seemed to be fine. We were seated quickly and greeted by a server within 5 minutes. However, she didn’t introduce herself and dropped off the menu with specials and asked what kind of water we preferred. By the time she brought the water we were ready to order. Two appetizers, two pastas. Cesar salad lacked the dressing, but it’s whatever. Our server came back when our plates were fully cleaned and she asked how everything was and if she can clear the table which we said “ of course” to. Our pastas were taking some time and then our server came up to us and asked if we wanted dessert?? We said that we didn’t get our pastas yet and she was like – oh, what did you get? And then said that pasta should be coming in two minutes. Pasta did arrive pretty fast. After that it was impossible to get our server. She never checked on us. The table next to us was waiting for a while to be greeted by the same server. And they were even ready to order by the time she came up and that’s when we also asked her to bring us a check. Took another 5-10 minutes for her to stop by our table and ask AGAIN if we wanted a dessert menu after we already asked for a check. As industry people ourselves we are pretty understanding and patient, but it was just not it. Could not wait to get out of there any faster.
… moreSmithen Kirken
The servers were nice and attentive except for some woman with a slight mustache who kept giving me creepy stares. The bartender always looked upset and I caught her yelling at her poor gussets and servers. The bussers seemed to be doing most of the work and were all gentlemen and sweet teenagers. I had a talk with the manager and he scared me away before I could finish my food. He was a tall man who reminded me of a scarecrow, name was Ash if I recall. As I went to the bathroom he followed me with a brisk, wide smile that made me switch to a jog. Definitely having management problems if this creep runs the place. Food was delicious though, just expensive and small portions.
… moreLuka Angelica
Husband took me out on a date here. Beautiful atmosphere, you def feel like you’re in the city. And don’t get me started with the food now.. the steak guysss THE RIB EYE!!!!! Coupled with the Cauliflower dish…
I’d go back.
Don’t think about it, just go!!!
… moreChristophe Pourny
Waitress was too young and inexperienced; poor thing! Under age drinking so could not even serve us our drinks. Manager a bit of a jerk trying to prove my that the pen worked to sign the bill! And please some change on the menu!!! It is limited and has been the same for ages
… moreBrendan Coors
Booked a reservation for 7:30 and our table wasn’t available until almost 8pm. Wait staff was kind but the kitchen was totally swamped with orders. Almost nobody in the restaurant was served food for a solid hour. We almost had to walk out before finally getting our meal 1hr+ after ordering. Food was good but the meal was spoiled by poor service. Disappointing given the upscale price & atmosphere
… moreJeffrey Wilson
Very cool place to eat! First timers and Fern did not disappoint – amazing food, great service…Lorraine was our wait staff extraordinaire, helpful and friendly and awesome! Fully recommend if you are in the area!!
… moreCraig K
Family of 6
Went to the Fern for dinner with my two boys their significant other’s and my wife on Saturday evening. 530 reservations seated promptly. Placed our beverage order and a pizza for the table. That all arrived about 15 minutes later. At that time the waitress took our dinner order. She comes back about 10 minutes later and asked us if she could get our order once again because she lost the pad that she wrote the order on. At that time we ordered 2nd round of beverages.
Should have known then this was going to be interesting. About 15 minutes later we asked another waitress if she would find out about our beverages? Shortly after drinks came to the table which we didn’t order along with apps that we didn’t order.
We have now been here an hour and fifteen minutes with just our empty glasses and water. Asked for the Mgr and within seconds he arrived at our table and he took excellent care of us the rest of the evening.
The food.
We started off with the margarita pizza which was OK but not worth $20. We shared the meatballs which were very good as well as the ceaser salad which was good but very small for $18.
My son and his wife had the I think it’s called pappadella pasta and a meat sauce with ricotta cheese which they both enjoyed very much. my other son’s girlfriend had the artic char which she said was pretty good except for the greens.
My wife and son had the pork shanks with an amazing mushroom sauce, which they both loved. I had the rigatoni with sausage crumble, peas, crushed tomatoes and crushed red pepper. Which I thought was pretty darn good. Sketchy service to start, nice atmosphere, prices for apps were kinda high ($18 for a few romaine leaves and dressing seems a bit much to me).
Entrée all at a fair price point.
Mgr did fix the problem for the most part.
We would likely be back.
… moreRebecca Tapia De La Torre
Strangley to my delight this beautiful little secret was delightful. From being kindly greeted at the door to wonderful attentive service ( we were a party of 6 including 2 kids), it just continued into the evening. We ordered the ribeye steak, pizza and the kids pasta. All were well pleasing. The 2 things that were not my favorite were the chocolate pudding for dessert and the basil cooler cocktail. It could be just me, but the cocktail tasted a bit bitter and the pudding tasted just like Jell-O pudding. Def would recommend and will return!
… moreReid Kendall
We love Fern! The new staff members are so welcoming and knowledgeable, and the manager Barbara seems to run a tight ship while always staying friendly and kind. Always a great experience every time we visit!
… moreV T (VT)
Sorry, but Fern did not reach the level of a good place to dine. Service..very sloppy, stacking dishes while eating. Too young to know dining etiquette among other things.food too expensive for what you get. $18 for Caesar salad..lettuce, bread crumbs! Pizza..totally soggy in middle. Hotter than hot in dining room..Manager insisted the AC was on everyone sweating! Unsophisticated, not worth it in an area where they need good food ! If you say something to waiters, they give you that sneering look. I never review restaurants but felt that I had to write this.
… more