Been to Il Forno’s MANY times over 30+ years but this was the first time ever for lunch and, unfortunately, possibly the last. Ordered the Caesar Salad with calamari. The presentation was beautiful and appeared to have a very generous portion of calamari atop the salad. However, upon closer examination, most of what was thought to be pieces of calamari were actually croutons that were cooked golden to be virtually the same color as the pieces of calamari which were VERY few. In addition, the Caesar dressing was served in a small container and was probably right out of a store bought bottle. Definitely not a good value and below average over all. The services was excellent and, yes, there is very ample parking and the ambiance is nice. I’ll Forno’s has been in business for around 30 years and was the go to place in the area for Italian food for many years. People often waited, literally, hours for a table. Back then, there was only one location; basically a small pizzeria restaurant that was BYOB (until recent years) adding to the attraction. The owner, Mike, resisted expending for years, fearing that he’d lose quality control. I believe that there are now two locations; both larger than years ago, and there had been a couple of others that did not make it and closed. After 30 years, there is a lot more competition. Mike would do well to tune up the quality and the portion size, particularly given that the prices have been raised consistently, so that both better resemble the basis for the success he has enjoyed. Of note; the restaurant is no longer located on Airport Rd. in Fitchburg but, rather, is on Electric Ave (Rt. 13) in Lunenburg. The website needs updating.
Cathy F.
Great food, great service, such friendly staff! Mike knows how to make you feel so welcome. Our favorite place when we go out. They have also made a "special" sauce for any meal when requested; including prime rib and seafood. So delicious. Never had a bad meal.
Laryssa T.
They have the absolute best salad dressing. Their steak is always hit or miss... But the dressing makes up for it! Try their Italian :)
Carole C.
Food is overpriced, and sub-par. We just ordered chicken rollitini and a combo plate of lasagna, stuffed shells and whatever that other thing was that came with it. $50+ for both. I could not eat either. Three times I have tried this restaurant, and with three strikes, you are out! Even the bread that came with the meals was unpalatable and is thrown out. Waste of money. Worse italian food ever. I'm hungry. I'd rather stay hungry than try to eat that slop. Sorry, Il Forno. Should be ILL FORNO.
Jay B.
just nowNEW So done with this Lunenburg location!! Last time we went to get dinner to go. Our meals were burnt. I chose to say nothing. Tonight we have guests over for a visit for birthdays. They decided they wanted Ill Forno for dinner. We ordered 4 meal and 4 deserts. I picked it up, got home and realized they missed a desert (Lava cake) I called and excused myself with our company and went back. I was given a dry chocolate cake with no filling. And a side of vanilla ice cream. 2 trips to the restaurant, unhappy guests, and dropping over $120! Disgusted!
Mary Ellen C.
Fourteen of us enjoyed the Easter Brunch today. The food was delicious. Everyone could choose what they wanted to eat and best of all none of us had to clean up. The waitress who brought our drinks was excellent. All around great day with family and delicious food.
BARB MIKE AND SHERI G
Fantastic restaurant. The atmosphere is welcoming and beautiful. The Staff is friendly and helpful. The menu has so many choices. The salads and garlic bread are so fresh. The meals are delicious and so plentiful. I love the chicken with artichokes and mushrooms. The desserts are so good too.
Pete N.
Was there today for lunch food is excellent both my wife and I enjoyed our meals were very good and the prices are very reasonable. We would recommend coming here. The next time we go we will have to for dinner
Yvonne White- H.
Home away from home for 20 years. The food is exceptional and the environment is full of warmth snd ambience. Family oriented and definitely date night worthy. Thanks Mike and team for always providing exceptional service!
Brittney B.
This place is so good. We were seated by a beautiful fireplace. Great service. Delicious food. Wonderful atmosphere!
We've been dining with Il Forno for 20+ years. Usually very happy with all food except cheesecake tasted really off thus time l. Could not tell if it was spoiled or they made it with some kind of sugar substitute. If they used xylitol & your dog likes cheesecake, even a tiny taste could kill the dog. Again, no idea what caused the taste to be really strange, but I threw mine out after a few bites. Kind of a bummer at $7.99 / slice x 2 and we gave a good tip to the driver.
sirpao131
We ordered a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner as catered meal and they screwed it up badly. We didn't get a cooked Turkey as ordered and all the vegetables were bad and fermented. Even the gravy was sour! Il Forno ruined our Thanksgiving Family dinner!
SteaminPete
It has been a long time since we visited Il Forno. We stopped dining years ago due to the quality of the food being served. Last night we were in a bind for a place to go and decided on this. I have to say WOW, the food is back to the way it was in the early days. There were four of us dining and not one of us had a complaint about our food. Our server Robert was excellent. He was juggling some large parties along with us and took care of business. Mike, keep up the great food and we will return.
Carol D.
Very disappointing lunch there today. I had been looking forward to good food because the menu looked great and the reviews seemed ok. The salad was good and fresh and served in a cold plate; but unfortunately my pasta with eggplant rollatini was also served in a very cold plate which of course resulted in cool pasta. Bread, I believe is garlic buttered, microwaved, and wrapped in foil, so it toughens as it cools. If this is typical of the way food is served there, then I do not understand the good reviews. The others in our party also were not pleased with the food served them.
Rachel V.
I seriously cannot get enough!! Every time I eat here, the food is sooo hot, the bread is amazing and it always tastes consistent. I have my whole family hooked!
Been to Il Forno’s MANY times over 30+ years but this was the first time ever for lunch and, unfortunately, possibly the last. Ordered the Caesar Salad with calamari. The presentation was beautiful and appeared to have a very generous portion of calamari atop the salad. However, upon closer examination, most of what was thought to be pieces of calamari were actually croutons that were cooked golden to be virtually the same color as the pieces of calamari which were VERY few. In addition, the Caesar dressing was served in a small container and was probably right out of a store bought bottle. Definitely not a good value and below average over all. The services was excellent and, yes, there is very ample parking and the ambiance is nice. I’ll Forno’s has been in business for around 30 years and was the go to place in the area for Italian food for many years. People often waited, literally, hours for a table. Back then, there was only one location; basically a small pizzeria restaurant that was BYOB (until recent years) adding to the attraction. The owner, Mike, resisted expending for years, fearing that he’d lose quality control. I believe that there are now two locations; both larger than years ago, and there had been a couple of others that did not make it and closed. After 30 years, there is a lot more competition. Mike would do well to tune up the quality and the portion size, particularly given that the prices have been raised consistently, so that both better resemble the basis for the success he has enjoyed. Of note; the restaurant is no longer located on Airport Rd. in Fitchburg but, rather, is on Electric Ave (Rt. 13) in Lunenburg. The website needs updating.
Great food, great service, such friendly staff! Mike knows how to make you feel so welcome. Our favorite place when we go out. They have also made a "special" sauce for any meal when requested; including prime rib and seafood. So delicious. Never had a bad meal.
They have the absolute best salad dressing. Their steak is always hit or miss... But the dressing makes up for it! Try their Italian :)
Food is overpriced, and sub-par. We just ordered chicken rollitini and a combo plate of lasagna, stuffed shells and whatever that other thing was that came with it. $50+ for both. I could not eat either. Three times I have tried this restaurant, and with three strikes, you are out! Even the bread that came with the meals was unpalatable and is thrown out. Waste of money. Worse italian food ever. I'm hungry. I'd rather stay hungry than try to eat that slop. Sorry, Il Forno. Should be ILL FORNO.
just nowNEW So done with this Lunenburg location!! Last time we went to get dinner to go. Our meals were burnt. I chose to say nothing. Tonight we have guests over for a visit for birthdays. They decided they wanted Ill Forno for dinner. We ordered 4 meal and 4 deserts. I picked it up, got home and realized they missed a desert (Lava cake) I called and excused myself with our company and went back. I was given a dry chocolate cake with no filling. And a side of vanilla ice cream. 2 trips to the restaurant, unhappy guests, and dropping over $120! Disgusted!
Fourteen of us enjoyed the Easter Brunch today. The food was delicious. Everyone could choose what they wanted to eat and best of all none of us had to clean up. The waitress who brought our drinks was excellent. All around great day with family and delicious food.
Fantastic restaurant. The atmosphere is welcoming and beautiful. The Staff is friendly and helpful. The menu has so many choices. The salads and garlic bread are so fresh. The meals are delicious and so plentiful. I love the chicken with artichokes and mushrooms. The desserts are so good too.
Was there today for lunch food is excellent both my wife and I enjoyed our meals were very good and the prices are very reasonable. We would recommend coming here. The next time we go we will have to for dinner
Home away from home for 20 years. The food is exceptional and the environment is full of warmth snd ambience. Family oriented and definitely date night worthy. Thanks Mike and team for always providing exceptional service!
This place is so good. We were seated by a beautiful fireplace. Great service. Delicious food. Wonderful atmosphere!
Restaurantji Recommends
We've been dining with Il Forno for 20+ years. Usually very happy with all food except cheesecake tasted really off thus time l. Could not tell if it was spoiled or they made it with some kind of sugar substitute. If they used xylitol & your dog likes cheesecake, even a tiny taste could kill the dog. Again, no idea what caused the taste to be really strange, but I threw mine out after a few bites. Kind of a bummer at $7.99 / slice x 2 and we gave a good tip to the driver.
We ordered a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner as catered meal and they screwed it up badly. We didn't get a cooked Turkey as ordered and all the vegetables were bad and fermented. Even the gravy was sour! Il Forno ruined our Thanksgiving Family dinner!
It has been a long time since we visited Il Forno. We stopped dining years ago due to the quality of the food being served. Last night we were in a bind for a place to go and decided on this. I have to say WOW, the food is back to the way it was in the early days. There were four of us dining and not one of us had a complaint about our food. Our server Robert was excellent. He was juggling some large parties along with us and took care of business. Mike, keep up the great food and we will return.
Very disappointing lunch there today. I had been looking forward to good food because the menu looked great and the reviews seemed ok. The salad was good and fresh and served in a cold plate; but unfortunately my pasta with eggplant rollatini was also served in a very cold plate which of course resulted in cool pasta. Bread, I believe is garlic buttered, microwaved, and wrapped in foil, so it toughens as it cools. If this is typical of the way food is served there, then I do not understand the good reviews. The others in our party also were not pleased with the food served them.
I seriously cannot get enough!! Every time I eat here, the food is sooo hot, the bread is amazing and it always tastes consistent. I have my whole family hooked!