{ news }

Toronto, Ontario – November 12, 2007

IL FORNELLO RESTAURANTS ADDS LOCAL FOODS TO MENU

Nine IL FORNELLO locations in GTA feature locally sourced menu items

IL FORNELLO Restaurants continues its ambitious program of offering their customers delicious menu items composed entirely of "All Ontario" ingredients by announcing today the addition of new local food items to its Fall/Winter menu.

In June of this year, IL FORNELLO committed to offering Weekly Specials created entirely from local, Ontario products from farmers and suppliers practicing sustainable, environmentally friendly and where possible, organic production methods. Executive Chef Owen Steinberg spent weeks finding farmers and producers who could supply the nine IL FORNELLO Restaurants across the GTA with everything from beef to tomatoes to lettuce. The result of Steinberg's hard work was that more than 25,000 IL FORNELLO customers chose to treat themselves to one or more items from an ever changing array of delicious offerings of "All Ontario" foods throughout the summer.

"The biggest challenge was in finding a consistent supply of local products that met our criteria", said Steinberg. "Even though one would think that the large distributors who supply most of Toronto's restaurants would carry local products, at least in season, this is not the case. We needed to approach farmers on our own and set up our own distribution system in some cases."

Now Steinberg has added a new "All Ontario" section to the IL FORNELLO Menu featuring, among other things, Roasted Organic Butternut Squash Soup, Baked Goat Cheese Salad, Grilled Chicken Pizza, Smoked Chicken Rigatoni and Pumpkin Pannacotta. At the urging of IL FORNELLO President, Ian Sorbie, Chef Owen has also created the "All Ontario Burger" made from naturally raised Ontario beef and served with a signature, double garlic, basil mayo and sweet potato fries or a beet, cucumber and Boston lettuce salad in a honey yogurt dressing.

"The addition of an "All Ontario" section to our menu is another milestone for IL FORNELLO," said Ian Sorbie, IL FORNELLO president. "We have prided ourselves on being industry leaders, having been the first to offer wood-oven baked pizza in Toronto, the first to make spelt and gluten-free pizza and pasta options available to our customers with specific dietary restrictions and now the first to promote All Ontario foods in our restaurants on such a large scale."

As IL FORNELLO moves forward with its local foods initiative, it is hoped that more Ontario ingredients will find their way not only onto an expanded "All Ontario" section of the menu, but also into the recipes of other menu items as well. Of course, weekly specials will still feature new "All Ontario" items whenever possible.

And, just in time for those planning a group Holiday Party in December and who would like to reduce their carbon footprint, support the local economy, adhere to the Hundred Mile Diet, or just enjoy delicious food, Chef Owen has designed a Prix Fixe Holiday Dinner Menu of "All Ontario" items available at select IL FORNELLO locations! With Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert choices, there is something for everyone’s taste.

For twenty years, IL FORNELLO has been serving innovative Italian-inspired dishes to Toronto diners. In 2006, IL FORNELLO was honoured as one of the "Top Ten Restaurants in Toronto" by Zagat Guide. With eight locations and a stylish sister restaurant Lusso, IL FORNELLO is a 'must do' dining destination. Visit www.ilfornello.com and www.lussorestaurant.com for menu and location information.

###

For more information on the IL FORNELLO Local Foods Menu, please contact:
Ian Sorbie
IL FORNELLO Restaurants
Tel: 416-920-9410
ians@ilfornello.com