In Forno Charlestown — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

Booked for the Hamilton restaurant and had to change to Charlestown last minute due to driving around for 30 minutes and being unable to find a car park, on arrival it seemed like a lovely place and we were seated quickly. This is where the good part ends. We were sitting for almost 20 minutes before we were able to get the waitresses attention to order drinks and entrees which is unacceptable given there were only two other occupied tables at the time. What I assume was the manager, was on the phone and oblivious to the customers and the Uber driver waiting for someone’s order. Advised with our booking confirmation that Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are $12 cocktails so decided to be a bit naughty and have a few drinks only to be told when we asked which cocktails were this price, given that there is no menu for it, that only 4 cocktails are available for the special despite this not being advised anywhere. Chose a cocktail only to be told that despite being advised 5 seconds before that it was on the list, the flavour I had chosen made it $20! Even though it says under the one I chose that you have to pick one of 3 flavours!!!! Made a decision right then and there due to the appalling customer service, the outright failure to provide correct information about the menu and the look of the food brought to another table that we wouldn’t be staying and we left to attend another establishment. Was really looking forward to a lovely evening and it was ruined completely! We certainly won’t be returning to see if this was a once...

My friend and I pre-booked online as advised and requested outdoor seating. Three girls walked I before us off the street, the staff put another chair and cutlery at the only table left outside. As we went to be seated, staff member asked if we would mind to sit inside, I said, I would mind as I pre-book for outside. The staff moved a table from inside onto the middle of the path outside for us to sit at. People had to walk around my friend and I. After 1.5 hours of waiting, and 40mins for our drinks, we were advised that our x1 pizza and x1 pasta hadn’t been through to the kitchen, as the iPad died when she was taking order. The girl said she didn’t even check with the kitchen to make sure the order had gone through e through, this was now 8pm. We had a movie reservation at 8:30. They ‘rushed’ our order and had it out to us in 7mins. Chunks of dry chicken in a cold pasta with sauce. Half cooked burnt lamb pizza. Awful service, atmosphere and food, do not recommend. Posted photos of food...

Arrived around 7pm on Saturday night- according to the waitress’s there was no tables available for walk ins however we were welcome to sit across the way at the 4 pines tables. Half the Restaurant was empty with seats available and no reservation signs on them, and it remained this way while we were there.

Ordered the Carbonara and Seafood Marinara. Carbonara tasted comparable to the microwave meals you get and the marinara was unfortunately even moreso flavourless and watery, and it appears the squid/prawns could be frozen as it tasted not fully thawed? Overall quite bland and not something you should expect to pay $30 for.

Never have we sent back food or complained but this time we did and thankfully the ladies were helpful and did refund us for our meals. We are always seeing rave reviews for this place online so perhaps the Charlestown store is letting them down, however we left with a less than desirable experience so not too sure if we will give the main store...