Forno Cultura — Restaurant in Toronto

I’ve been going to Forno Cultura almost weekly for the last 5 years. I’m editing my review from 5 to 2 stars because this place has changed and I probably won’t be going back nearly as often. This used to be one of my favourite places to go. It’s a bit pricey but the price used to be worth it. The portion sizes, particularly the sandwiches, have gotten far too small to justify the price. It’s become difficult to justify going here with my friends as they don’t want to spend the same high price on half of a sandwich. Eventually I was just walking alone on the weekends for a sandwich. But even as a die-hard Forno Cultura fan I can’t justify it any more. I got a sandwich today and I felt like there was a mistake, like they must have given me the wrong sandwich.

I’ve left my old review here:

I love this place. Great place to meet with a friend for a sandwich and a coffee. It’s a bit more expensive than other bakeries but the difference in quality more than makes up for it.

They have a great selection of consistent sandwiches that are there every day and have a handful of sandwiches that rotate in and out. If you’re there on a weekend and they have the porchetta that day you have to try it, it’s my favourite.

The staff are always so friendly. They’re excited to tell you all about whatever you’re curious about, whether it’s the bread, or the meats, or the cheeses, or the baked goods. The baristas are happy to tell you all about the drip coffee they’ve prepared that day and what sort of beans they’re using for the espresso.

One of my favourite spots in Toronto. Whenever a friend wants to grab coffee or lunch I’m always pushing for Forno. I never...

I ran in while it was raining and while I was scrambling to find my mask in my bag, looked down by the entrance and saw that none of the workers were wearing masks, so naturally thought maybe they weren't enforcing it and ran in without it. Right away I had someone aggressively say "do you have a mask?" and my confused response was "uhh, do you have a mask? Half of you aren't wearing masks". Apparently it's some by-law that allows FOOD SERVICE WORKERS who touch the food you eat all day long not have to wear masks if they can practice social distancing at work. Anyone who's been to the King location before knows they can't. Anyways, I put a mask on (because I was in no way, shape, or form, trying to rebel against the rules), and stand in line. I'm next. Tell me does the guy who yelled at me skip me and go to the couple behind me to take their order. Oh. So I can't question why someone who's breathing on this food all day long isn't wearing a mask because I might not get served? Right. The other person working the cash came by and was really polite and took my order. I felt bad not leaving a tip because he was so nice but there's no way I was going to support that business anymore than I already did by just purchasing what I purchased. Needless to say, during and post covid, I will not be back. You're a front-line service worker, learn how to treat all of your customers with respect, even the ones who...

The amaretti cookies are excellent (very nutty, soft and chewy, not overly sweet) but the rest is hit or miss for me. It’s on the higher end price-wise, and while it’s made with high-quality ingredients, more expensive doesn’t always mean it tastes better.

Updating my review March 2023:

I got a baguette (whole wheat flour, caraway seeds, walnuts) and it was pretty good - the crust is very crunchy and the inside was soft, though a bit oily.

I also got an almond and apricot tart, and while it had almond paste, custard, poppy seeds, and an apricot jam(?) top, it tasted overpoweringly of almond extract (for my taste, anyway).

Pistachio biscotti and pistachio amaretti cookies were excellent. Another biscotti with dark chocolate and nuts had a liquor-type taste which I didn’t enjoy, but I may have misread the label.

Note - the 5 items (baguette, tart, 3 small cookies) came out to about $16.

Previous review:

Their cookies = 5 stars. They’re expensive but totally worth it, they’re obviously made with high quality ingredients.

Their bread = 1 Star. I don’t know if I got unlucky that day, but the outside of the loaf was burnt and inedible. Totally fine on the inside, but it’s a fairly narrow and long loaf so if you cut the crusts there would be very little bread left.

Will come back again for the desserts and see if maybe the bread looks...