Our History
The first IL FORNELLO Restaurant won unanimous raves and legions of loyal customers when we introduced wood oven baked gourmet pizza to Toronto diners. The Toronto Star, NOW Magazine, The Globe and Mail and countless others declared that IL FORNELLO made “the best pizza in Toronto” and over the years the accolades have continued to accumulate, culminating with ZAGAT Guide annually listing IL FORNELLO as One of “Toronto’s Top Ten Restaurants”.
In fact the IL FORNELLO history is one of “firsts”: first to introduce wood-fire baked pizzas; first to introduce gourmet pizza toppings; first to offer gluten-free pizza crusts; first to host “Free Night” community fundraisers; first to fund school snack programs; first chain to be named one of ZAGAT’s “Ten Best” and the list goes on.
Critics and customers alike have cited our consistent quality and exceptional service along with our trend setting menu development that both anticipates and responds quickly to the ever changing needs of today’s diners as the secret to our longevity.
IL FORNELLO continues to set the standards and trends in dining options and in community involvement while maintaining its commitment to quality food and service at affordable prices.
Our Atmosphere
The IL FORNELLO team is driven by a dedication to creating exceptional food and providing outstanding customer service. The combined culinary talents of Executive Chef Ryan Kowalyk, Chef della Pizza Craig Ovenstone and Executive Sous Chef Steven Cuneo have resulted in a delectable balance of traditional Italian fare and innovative new classics, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience for our guests.
For over 25 years IL FORNELLO has successfully operated restaurants in many diverse communities in the GTA providing a welcoming and comfortable environment for our customers.
We have combined our years of experience in exceeding our customers’ expectations in food, service and ambience with the creativity and talents of trend setting interior designers Commute Home and talented graphic designer Marlo Orilla of Biography Design. Together we have created the “new look” IL FORNELLO a comfortable, interesting and genuinely Italian dining experience to those customers in suburban markets looking for a restaurant with a decidedly urban and hip sensibility.
With a bar/lounge component modeled on our very successful sister concept Lusso - which operated on Toronto’s waterfront for ten years and was recommended by the New York Times - and a dining room with a distinctly modern yet comfortable Italian ambience, IL FORNELLO offers a casual, urban dining experience presently unavailable in suburban markets.
Our food
Pizza, pasta, salads, appetizers, entrées, desserts - all Italian inspired, all delicious. IL FORNELLO is justifiably praised for having the best wood oven baked pizza, but we are committed to making all of our menu offerings as enticing as our pizzas. And we don’t rest on our laurels. We are constantly seeking out and incorporating new trends and ingredients for our core menu and our seasonal menu additions.
We pride ourselves on using only the best quality ingredients to prepare a wide range of menu offerings to appeal to both the more sophisticated diner who appreciates a pizza or pasta with a slightly exotic ingredient and the customer who enjoys a basic pepperoni pizza or lasagna. No matter what the preferences, IL FORNELLO is able to accommodate them, exceeding the quality presently available in any other Italian themed suburban restaurant.
Our Future
Our years of experience and conversations with our out of town guests have made it clear that there is a place for IL FORNELLO in suburban markets, particularly those in close proximity to Toronto where the IL FORNELLO reputation is already well established.
However, our location criteria standards are as high as those that govern our day to day operations. Suburban IL FORNELLO Restaurants must be in high traffic areas with the right demographics and will be limited to between 5,500 to 6,000 square feet in high profile areas in either freestanding or endcap locations or mall storefronts with space for a patio.
What is lacking in these markets is a contemporary, urban Italian concept that is casual and authentic offering quality food and service. The fact that IL FORNELLO has been delivering this to Toronto customers for years, that many people living in these suburban areas have in all likelihood dined with us at one time and that the IL FORNELLO reputation is not only excellent, but wide spread augers well for the expansion of the IL FORNELLO casual, urban concept of authentic Italian cuisine.
Our Growth Strategy
Spring 2013 / Park Place / Barrie
Fall 2013 / Lansdowne Park / Ottawa
For franchise information contact:
Sean Fleming
112 Isabella Street Toronto ON M4Y 1P1 seanf@ilfornello.com
647-282-1861
For leasing opportunities contact:
Toby Singlehurst toby@jennum.com 289-430-5027 ext. 315
Read about our Lessons Learned in recent Globe and Mail article