After 14 years, Canaletto Ristorante Veneto has closed at Fashion Island. Owned and operated by the Il Fornaio restaurant company, it served sit-down meals in an upscale setting at the shopping center.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Canaletto over the past 14 years,” began a short statement released to the Register by Fashion Island. “Canaletto’s employees have been given the option of relocating to their nearby Irvine location at 18051 Von Karman Avenue. We will announce a new tenant in the near future,” it concluded.

Many Orange County fans of Il Fornaio were buzzing when the restaurant opened in November 2008 as an enhanced experience of the brand with a seafood-on-ice station, house made pastas, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish, risotto and rotisserie meats.

A Facebook post from the restaurant noted the last day of service was Sunday, May 15, adding, “With the Irvine Company choosing to move in a different direction, we are not able to stay at the Fashion Island location. We have enjoyed many wonderful moments in Newport Beach and, throughout the years, have developed a loyal guest base who we know are going to be as sad to see us leave as we are to be leaving.”

Comments on the post from regulars expressed how bummed they were to see one of their favorite restaurants go. “We had my dad’s 90th birthday celebration there! He was so happy, and it was so wonderful. So sorry to see you go,” wrote Maria A. Moffa.

“Sorry to read this…loved Canaletto. Irvine Company not so much,” quipped Ed Machoskie. “Grazie Mille to you, Canaletto! You gave us so much great food and so many beautiful memories!” said Susan Sinclair-Naraghi.

The restaurant group invited diners to visit the Il Fornaio in Irvine and other locations in Southern California, Northern California and Las Vegas.

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