The Crudo e Nudo Owner is Opening a Cal-Italian-Inspired Drinking Destination in Santa Monica

While studying the art of pasta making in Italy, chef and restaurant owner Brian Bornemann fell in love with the historic bars he wandered in and out of. 

Set to open Oct. 21, Bar Fortuna is his homage to those treasured memories. 

Credit: Photo Credit Catherine Dzilenski

Fittingly located down the street from his critically acclaimed sustainable seafood restaurant, Crudo e Nudo, Bornemann is giving back to his native Ocean Park neighborhood with a casual and community-driven space for friends and family to gather in the moody and stylish Italian atmosphere. 

Centered around a long white marble bar, Bar Fortuna welcomes patrons to sip on a Negroni (of which there are five variations), a spritz or a specialty cocktail from bar director Noah Castellanos. Wine director JD Plotnick curated a bottle list from emerging talents and generational staples from California and Italy, with the aim to make wine accessible. Plotnick wants wine to be accessible, creating a space where someone can drink an affordable glass of wine in the same place that serves 40-year-old bottles of California Cabernet or rare Barolos.

Credit: Photo Credit Catherine Dzilenski

Aiming to expand into morning and lunch services, Bar Fortuna also features a to-go window spearheaded by Castellanos, which serves four drinks as part of their morning espresso program: espresso, espresso con latte, caffè corretto and a shakerato. Soon, it will also feature a handful of antipasti dishes and sandwiches, with fresh pasta to purchase by the pound. 

Credit: Photo Credit Catherine Dzilenski

Bornemann, inspired by the Italian spots he loved abroad, has crafted a menu of food that is both thoughtful and comforting, with vegetables sourced from local farmers and house-made pasta. Alongside chef de cuisine Jose Morales, who has cooked alongside Bornemann for over a decade, Fortuna will serve dishes like Gemelli with Italian sausage, fennel pollen, grapes and rosemary and Fettuccine Nere with squid, ‘nduja, yellow tomato, fennel frond and lemon zest. 

Credit: Photo Credit Catherine Dzilenski

“Having grown up in Ocean Park and spending my formative cooking years throughout Italy, Bar Fortuna feels like a true culmination of those experiences,” says Bornemann.

Bar Fortuna is located at 2917 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

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