Fornaro Restaurant & Gourmet Pizza is pleased to announce they’ve opened their doors, bringing authentic Italian cuisine and made-to-order gourmet pizza to Coconut Grove. Fornaro is the first U.S. venture for veteran restaurateur, Lorenzo Ramon. With more than 20 years of experience with five critically acclaimed restaurants in Sao Paolo and Bahia, Brazil, Ramon has spent the last year in Miami perfecting his unique twist on his on his unassuming yet delicious traditional Italian dishes.
Nestled on the corner of 27th Avenue South of U.S.1, the vibrant herb garden outside Fornaro’s front door is the first indication that they are intent on serving their guests only the freshest ingredients. Pure Italian tradition has been updated and is prepared to perfection with twists on classics such as Rigatoni Putanesca and their signature Italian sausage bread. Fornaro’s selection of gourmet brick oven pizza features freshly prepared dough, handmade tomato sauce and herbs from their garden. Ramon has sourced the highest quality ingredients from suppliers, focusing
on the freshest local produce when available.
Most notable on the menu is the ‘house dish,’ the Polpettone, a disc made of freshly ground filet mignon, encircling fine imported Italian mozzarella cheese. It is accompanied by a delicate fresh tomato sauce and parmesan. Full of flavor and served Milanese style, the Polpettone is a passion of Lorenzo Ramon.
Ramon says, “Fornaro Restaurant was borne out of my passion for Italian cuisine, and the polpettone has been a labor of love for me. Finding the best cuts of filet mignon, the finest local tomatoes and the perfect mozzarella has been a lengthy but worthwhile process. My goal is to have young children ask their parents to take them out for ‘polpettone.’ Then I will know I’ve been successful.”
The wine and beer list is straightforward and hand-selected to complement Fornaro’s twist on Italian classics. Entrees are priced from $11-$15 and guests can enjoy a selection of traditional desserts, served with carefully sourced coffee that is carefully prepared.
Edison bulb lanterns create a soft light in the restaurant, and are just part of the charming yet chic décor. The black and white color palette is accentuated with hints of merlot and surrounded by treasures from Lorenzo Ramon’s worldwide travels. He wanted the warm and inviting space to feel like an extension of his home.
With their doors now open, they hope that locals and visitors alike will come visit their “house.”
Guests may dine-in or take-out, and ample parking is available in the Grove Plaza lot. Hours are Tuesday – Friday from 12:00 – 2:30 pm (lunch) and Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday from 6:00 until 10:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 until 11:00 pm. For reservations or for more information, call 305.668.8888 or go to fornaromiami.com.
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