Forno Osteria+Bar
3514 Erie Ave, Cincinnati
(513) 818-8720
Recent Reviews
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Amazing food, our waiter was funny and very helpful with dinner suggestions. Absolutely recommended!
We went for a Mother’s Day brunch. The food was good, but the restaurant was over-crowded. It was causing lots of issues for families with small babies and the elderly.
Loved it!. Staff was amazing manager checked in to see how we were doing. Cute little restaurant,
UPDATED REVIEW: 4-30-25 Dining Experience
The traveling manager, Justin, reached out and invited me back in to try Forno again. This visit was spectacular from service (Maiya was amazing!) to the entire meal and after! We got the Burrata appetizer and a delicious saffron ball appetizer to start. Then, we got the half and half pasta bolognese and wild boar which were full of flavor! We also got a bottle of wine half off for ‘Wine Down Wednesday’! Thank you for reaching back out to make up for the prior birthday visit debacle. I would highly recommend Forno to anyone and also insist that you try their ‘Pope’s Chocolate Salame’ dessert because it is, without a doubt, the best dessert I’ve ever had. You won’t be disappointed!
Original review from my birthday dinner in November of 2024:
Dined with a party of 6 at Forno for my birthday (also noted on the reservation) and was very excited since it was my first time here and the reviews were anything short of wonderful!
I’ll start with what was slightly disappointing and end on a high note:
We were sat by a friendly host and were then introduced to our server. He did not ask if we were celebrating anything nor did he wish me a happy birthday. We were treated as any regular table (which is fine, I did not ask nor expect any “special” treatment). I suppose I was just hoping for a simple “happy birthday!!” enthusiastic verbal recognition or a candle in my dessert (that we were happy to and did pay for). I mean, hey, who doesn’t want a candle or someone to wish them happy birthday?
We had a pretty substantial bill so it wasn’t that we had hardly ordered anything. I will chalk it up to the restaurant being busy during this time. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit disappointing and my friends also commented that he didn’t even say happy birthday or give a candle.
The food was good. I liked my dish and my partner said his was decent. Other feedback from members in my party were “delicious! I want to try another dish now too but I am too full!” and “maybe a bit too salty for my tastes but otherwise good!”
The dessert salami was what blew me away, I wish I could order the entire thing (loaf?) of it, ha!
Not sure I would return to celebrate anniversary or anything, but maybe for a casual meal.
I revisited the store after I left my credit card a previous night. The manager left me standing around waiting for ~25 minutes for her to tell me she couldn't find the credit card on the safe. She walked by multiple times and actively ignored me, knowing I had asked the hostess multiple times for a status update. The least you could have done was promptly told me.
This is one of our go-to places for a cozy, nicer dinner at a not crazy price point. We make sure to make a reservation on Open Table as they're always busy. I don't think we've ever had a bad experience. Highly recommend the meatballs are wonderful, but make sure you get their amazing bread to dip in the sauce.
We used to struggle between getting a meal or ordering one of the pizzas. We found the solution! We get our meals then order a pizza to take home. We heat it up in the oven the next day for lunch.
I will add they have a couple location. The food and service are always good, but for whatever reason, we prefer the Hyde Park location atmosphere. I think it's because here we generally eat at the bar and the staff is friendly face to face.
Service was awful. Didn't automatically come to give us refills, plus the expectation for us to leave a big tip when we were serving ourselves at the buffet. They also had nearly completely empty trays of food at the buffet. To top it all off, we were forced to leave a 'gratuity tip' of 22% because of the holiday occasion. Not only were we not informed of the pre-added tip at all prior to our meal, but it completely defied the meaning of the word gratuity--to voluntarily gift in exchange for a service. Won't be coming back here ever. Lost a customer permanently. What cheap and tacky way to rip someone off.
Food for price was mid, service was not good, but hey I'll give atmosphere to them.
Overall, still leaving a 1 star for this greedy place. Tagged on a 22% Easter gratuity for the meal, which is impossible because a gratuity is done voluntarily. Horrible consumer value, it's really sad that a lot of people who come here don't know they're getting ripped off.
I had an amazing time here. It was a wonderful time for my pallet. The food and the ambiance intertwined was an amazing experience. The tables are set up in an intimate way and my wife and I even made new friends. Additionally, the staff are warm, friendly, and attentive. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
My Asian woman and myself stopped by last night for an amazing dinner, the food was amazing, authentic, and topped with a comfortable, rustic atmosphere. Service was great, we had no complaints. Safe to say my Asian woman will be staying here in the states, after that. Great experience! (Highly recommend the meatballs + focaccia appetizer, gnocchi was an amazing entree)
Restaurantji Recommends
Spectacular! Creamed corn with truffles, omg! Everything is good here. We had pizza and pasta dishes. Also the kale salad was perfection. Our dessert had a basil infusion that was incredibly delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and the service was just right. All in all a wonderful experience!
Got the short rib, Caesar salad, artichoke soup, and the Bianca pizza, It was fantastic and super good quickly becoming my favorite spot
Nice place, good food, service was a bit slow but it's a small restaurant.
Love the fresh and creative Italian food; their braised short rib on parsnip puree is awesome. Great service, especially the bartenders. It's one of my favorites. The only thing I would comment on is that the wine selection, while good, is limited and could offer some better selections.
From the appetizers to the main course everything was magnifico!!!! We started with the Forno Veal Meatballs and Burrata with fresh from the brick oven foccocia. The main courses were Spaghettini Arrabiatta, Cavatelli Al Tartufo, Rosemary Pappardelle Cinghiale and Basil Genovese Pesto Agnolotti. Amazing!!! And we added a side of Roman Style Artichokes. We complimented the meal with Moscato and and Aperol Spritz. But don't forget dessert! Vanilla Bean Brulee with fruit, Tiramisu and a Raspberry Gelato. The atmosphere and open bar where the brick oven is located had an Old World charm with the brown and tan hues. Not a large place, so HIGHLY RECOMMEND making a reservation! Kari was our server and she was top notch. Definitely one of our top 3 Italian restaurants in Cincy ♥️
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