Trattoria Il Forno — Restaurant in Leeds

Have loved and been visiting this place regularly ever since it opened, sometimes multiple times in a week. I have been twice since the management changed and have to point out some issues which I hope they will take on board and try to fix, as it would be a shame to lose such a gem of a restaurant. I’ve already heard of several people I know who will now no longer go. First off, they are understaffed. The restaurant is now bigger than before, but operating with the same amount of waiting staff. They were literally running around like headless chickens, and in the process made a lot of mistakes with orders and attention to detail. One of the waitresses could not pronounce any of the Italian words on the menu, it would take only 5-10 minutes to sit down and learn correct pronunciation, not a big deal. She had a rather sour face for someone working front of house, appearing unhappy and not wanting to be there - a smile and bit of effort into learning the menu costs nothing. Secondly, on every occasion I’ve tried no one answers the phone. I tried to book online where the system stated there were no tables available, no one would answer the phone for me to query this, but when driving passed to go to the Italian down the road we noticed empty tables- went in and got seated no problem. The tables did not fill up for quite some time, you will lose a lot of business if you do not fix the online booking system or at least make a bigger effort to answer your calls. The menu is the same, and although I feel the portion sizes have slightly diminished - the pizza is still as good. The chicken in the risotto was reheated and a bit dry, not the same as before. Because they were so busy running round looking panicked , no one came to ask how everything was. After not listening correctly and getting part that main wrong, the solution by the waiter was to remove the service charge. With the service charge being optional anyway, and with the lack of service compared to what we are used to from this place, it would not of been paid anyway, I feel this was a sneaky trick which we didn’t fall for. Trying to cut corners and cheapen the deal, it never felt that way before. All in all, I will come back but I hope for your sake these critiques are taken constructively and you seek...

The worse service I have ever had in a restaurant. Pre ordered a week before and they didn’t have all the starters or dessert available. Complain to why we had to pre order and the girl basically said it’s not her problem. So much attitude. Huffing and puffing when we chased up food and we could hear staff moaning about us checking the bill. which was wrong as we were overcharged. Very unprofessional.

Reply to the owner

It wasn’t just that tho they didn’t have our pre order cos they told us the manger never told them and wasn’t where it should be.

There was no cheese cake which was on a pre order and the waitress said they would of made more if they had know about the pre order.

But your saying it was because you had supply problem. Which if that was the case it would of only took a phone call with the contact number we provided on booking the table.

There wasn’t much choice for dessert as they didn’t have enough for everyone.

They was only so many of this and so many of that.

The huffing and puffing from the waitresses and saying Jesus Christ to everything is not acceptable.

The list goes on and one of our party had a dirty knife dropped on her coat and the waitress just said Jesus Christ. No apology.

It wasn’t the wait for the food altho, there was one meal very late coming out with everyone else’s. then after a good long wait they bring out the tomato pizza sauce for the calzone just as I had nearly finished. The crème brûlée’s were forgotten about and came out after and they didn’t know how many. Even tho that was on the pre order and we confirmed again.

The bill was wrong then we have you complaining to us that you don’t have time for this.

All it need was to be polite as manners cost nothing.

Having Jesus Christ yelled no wonder we didn’t say much again was unapproachable and your staff member saying it’s not her fault or her problem it’s the manager who not here cos he ill is not acceptable.

The only positive thing I can say is the male waiter was the only one with a smile and polite manner.

He would of been a better person to run the restaurant while...

Been wanting to come here since valentine's day this year, but our booking got cancelled due to covid. Came here for a date night with my girlfriend. I booked a table online prior to my visit. When we arrived they took our temperature and showed us to our covid safe booth. They gave us time to choose our drinks and brought them swiftly, I ordered a pint of coke and my girlfriend, a water. The water arrived with 2 glasses and a bottle so that we could refill. I ordered the salmon linguine and my girlfriend ordered a mozzarella pizza, we shared the garlic dough ball starter. The food was heavenly, the garlic dough balls were so soft and we were given a side of sour cream, they were very moorish. About 10 minutes after we finished our starter, our food arrived, it smelt amazing. The salmon linguine was served beautifully with and I was offered cheese and pepper as a topper. My girlfriends pizza looked amazing, we were sat in the middle of the restaurant with perfect view of the pizza oven so we could see it going into the stone baked oven. It was authentic Italian, the cheese on the pizza pulled and tasted delicious. A small pizza is 12 inches and is totally worth the money. She couldn't finish the pizza, but we were given a takeaway box so that we could finish it at home. My linguine was to die for, they were not stingy with the salmon, you could see it all throughout the meal and it was succulent. The tomatoes in the dish were a nice change to the taste, zingy, refreshing but not overpowering. It came with a side of lemon so that you could apply if desired. Overall, I could not fault the service and the price was not bad either, I will definitely be coming back again, I just wish I...