Restaurants

Antonella's Italian Ristorante wins La Fayette Cognac competition

By Staff Report, posted 2 years ago
Antonella (center) pictured with members of her staff Lead Bartender Francesca “Fran” Forbes (left) and familiar favorite St. Clair Cooper (right). Photo provided by: The FCEDC. 

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is offering a hearty congratulations to Antonella's Italian Ristorante for being the winners of the La Fayette Cognac “People’s Choice” contest. 

The contest, which began in December of 2023,  was created in celebration of La Fayette Cognac and its availability in all Cumberland County-area liquor stores. The La Fayette Cognac was named in honor of Marquis de Lafayette and celebrates the partnership with Fayetteville’s sister city in St. Avold, France and the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to his namesake city.

The contest gave seven local restaurants the chance to showcase their talent and the creativity of the amazing bartenders in our area and also shared the versatility of the Cognac itself, which is best known for being served neat.

Each restaurant created their own cocktails that included the Cognac and the community was able to vote for their favorite online. 

Antonella's winning cocktail: The Chocolate Berry Infusion. Photo provided by: Antonella's Italian Ristorante

With over 200 votes, Antonella's beat the six other participating bars and establishments with their Chocolate Berry Infusion.

The FCEDC offered a special thanks to other competitors: Blue Moon Cafe, Circa 1800, Dirty Whiskey, Gaston Brewing Company, Haymount Truck Stop and Winterbloom Tea for entering the contest and showing off the versatility of this delightful spirit.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

CommWell Health opening new location in Coats; announces retirement of CEO

Graphic courtesy of CommWell HealthCommWell Health, a large private nonprofit Community Health Center, was recently awarded a competitive grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand essential healthcare access in C


Advancing military technology: Dragon's Lair pitch goes from idea to production

Spc. Alexander Soto, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, presents the modular drone case at the Airborne Innovation Lab, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 9, 2026. Soto noted the recurring problem of drones


Hogs & chickens & turkeys, oh my! Sampson County Friends of Agriculture Ag Rally scheduled for March 17

Graphic provided by Sampson County Friends of AgricultureThe Sampson County Friends of Agriculture would like to invite the greater Fayetteville community to their annual Agriculture Rally on March 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Originally organized by