In Forno Hamilton — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

Service = excellent. All staff were happy, helpful and quick.

Atmosphere = relaxed, happy, good music, everyone having a good time. We were in the garden and it’s was lovely out there on a warm night. Great overhead garden and fabulous artwork on one of the walls.

Drinks = I had a cappucino and the Lemon Drop Martini x 2. The coffee was as smooth as silk, excellent coffee. The Lemon Drop Martini was bright, crisp and refreshing after a hot day.

Entree = we had the mixed Arancini - Four Cheese and Boscaiola. I forgot to get a photo but you get 3 Arancini. Beautifully crisp on the outside and on the inside beautifully cooked. The Four Cheese was perfectly stretchy almost oozy loveliness but the boscaiola stole the show. Served with a little green salad with balsamic and a fantastic sauce which I’m going to call a pesto mayonnaise-y thingy. This was lick the plate good.

Mains = Ooooh the pizza! I had the prosciutto and rocket pizza, the base was light and puffy, perfectly cooked the cheese was stretchy, the prosciutto delicious. My dinner date had the lasagne, of course I had to try it. Every layer was perfect - each of them fabulous on their own and enhanced the others...it was somehow delicate...and didn’t leave you feeling over stuffed and bloated. Best lasagne I have ever tried.

Dessert = Ricotta and Choco Dip Cannoli with pistachio. To die for. 2 large beautifully crisp cannoli, the filling was divine. I was only able to eat one so I have a spare for tomorrow 💪🏼

Excellent all round - we will...

We attended for a birthday (party of 6) and had a grand time at In Forno. Food menu was extensive without being overwhelming. You wouldn't struggle to find something to your taste here. Spaghetti Marinara was delicious - seafood was super fresh and great assortment and quantity. Other highlights were Spag Bol and Gnocchi Sorrentino which got great reviews from my friends. Unfortunately cannot recommend the lasanga if you like tomato/bolognese flavours - it was mostly cheese and meat, and tasted more like a kids meal than anything. Garlic bread was pretty good.

The atmosphere is slightly more commercial than my personal preference for an Italian restaurant, however I know it would be perfect for many. It is very clean and modern - and their undercover, indoor/outdoor garden area is lovely - lots of hanging plants (real ones!) and string lights which make it a really nice experience. Drinks menu is QR code only which is not to my preference but can see appeal if you are only attend for a few drinks. Our cocktails were great.

Our server Robin was very professional and super friendly - they made us very comfortable. I had a personal interaction with her while paying and she explained that they had recently updated the menu (I have only been once before, but couldn't quite remember the experience) - if you have dined before, I would recommend giving In Forno another go based on my experience, which did not align with some of the other reviews I have read. Service was very speedy.

Thanks for a great...

Disappointing experience for Valentines Day dinner. Seated against wall away from restaurant, bins taken out along this path as well. Only given one menu to share between two people sitting across each other. When asked for another I was almost given an excuse as to why before reluctantly being handed one - (just print more if its an issue) This really set me up for being nitpicky the rest of the night. Water glasses outside had leaf pieces/ dust in them - consider tuning them upside down. Took 15 mins before being attended to for drinks - restaurant was at about 40% capacity at this point. You could attract more sales by being proactive here as we just ordered everything in one go and were never asked for anything again.

Food was decent, although came out at different times. 1 main then a starter then the last main. Overall food was generic not bad, not great. They did come out shortly after ordering which was a surprise all considering. I know there are some good options though. Lastly, the music is miserable elevator music??

When I visit a restaurant I expect to feel like being there is not a pain for the restaurant. It shouldnt be... its what you do. Staff need to check up on people, give recommendations, replenish drinks and make the guests feel welcome. I did not experience any of the above. This is my third visit and each has been subsequently worse. Unfortunately this may be the nail in...