Forno Osteria & Bar – Hyde Park

The original Forno—"as close as it gets without taking a plane." Cristian Pietoso, born and raised in Florence, Tuscany, wanted to create a space that reminded him of home. "Oste" means innkeeper in Italian, and that spirit of caring for guests without pretense defines the experience. The custom wood-burning oven is the kitchen's centerpiece, firing Neapolitan-style pizzas at over 900 degrees in just 90 seconds. Rustic, handmade pastas include pappardelle with wild boar ragout and his grandmother's peperonata. The menu marks historically significant items Cristian grew up eating—each holds a special memory. Desserts like Pope's Chocolate Salame and basil panna cotta. Wine list focuses almost exclusively on Italian selections from Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, and Veneto. Bolo Tuesday (signature bolognese) and Lasagne Verdi Thursdays are weekly traditions.