An Italian restaurant not far from home welcomed a very famous guest over the weekend: actor John Travolta took a photo with the owner of Via Canaletto in New Smyrna Beach after apparently dining there. The restaurant proudly posted the photo to their social media on Saturday, to the enthusiasm of the community.
Travolta is best known for his roles in 1977’s Saturday Night Fever and 1994’s Pulp Fiction, among several other starring roles in a career that’s spanned decades. He won a Golden Globe for 1996’s Get Shorty and a Primetime Emmy Award for his producer role in 2016’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
The decision of Travolta to visit Via Canaletto does not seem to be a coincidence. Owner Leon Geller has said that the actor is a friend of his, and has dined at his business on several occasions since it opened last year. He ate there right after getting to the United States from a visit to Paris to watch the 2024 Olympics.
A made-from-scratch veal osso bucco at Via Canaletto. ⓒ Via Canaletto on Facebook
In comments made about his star patron, Geller said Travolta ordered several delicacies including swordfish puttanesca, carbonara, lasagna, and bucatini with meat sauce. His choice of dish is no doubt influenced by his heritage; Travolta’s father is a second-generation Italian-American whose family originated in Sicily.
The next project in Travolta’s storied career is That’s Amore!, an upcoming romantic comedy musical directed by Oscar-winner Nick Vallelonga. He’ll co-star with Katherine Heigl, Christopher Walken, Talia Shire, and William Fichtner.
