Forchetta Italian Eatery — Restaurant in Largo

This was our first time visiting, and we came as part of a large group. Unfortunately, the experience started off poorly. Despite the extreme heat it was 110° feel like today, we were told we had to wait outside until our entire party arrived. Once we were finally seated, we were placed in a long, narrow room that felt uncomfortably warm, easily around 80°, because the AC had just been turned on per the waiter. Apparently, they shut it off when the restaurant closes, which makes little sense since it takes more energy to cool a hot space than to maintain a steady temperature.

When it came time to order, we ran into more issues. One of our guests has an allergy and requested eggplant without red sauce, substituted with scampi sauce instead. We were told they couldn’t accommodate the request because everything is premade. That was surprising, if the eggplant already has sauce on it, wouldn’t it be soggy? That gives the impression that dishes are simply reheated, possibly even microwaved. There were no options to swap sauces on any pasta dishes either, which is disappointing, especially for someone with dietary restrictions. She ended up eating something she didn’t want, and unfortunately, it didn’t taste good either.

When my dish arrived, it was bland and underwhelming. The gnocchi didn’t taste fresh, and the presentation left a lot to be desired (photo below). On top of that, the room was still hot and uncomfortable, and most of us were sweating. I was honestly just ready to leave.

Overall, the lack of flexibility with simple requests, questionable freshness of the food, and the uncomfortable environment made this a one-time visit for us. There are much better Italian spots...

5 Stars – A Hidden Gem That Feels Like Home!

Forchetta is hands-down one of the best Italian dining experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment you walk in, you’re embraced by an atmosphere that feels more like a warm family gathering than just dinner out. The owner is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and genuine — you can feel her passion and pride in everything from the food to the ambiance. It’s that authentic Italian hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family from day one.

The servers are truly top-tier — professional yet personable, funny, friendly, and exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu. They create such a fun and relaxed vibe, all while delivering white glove service. You can tell they care deeply about your experience.

Now the food… wow. Every dish is made from scratch with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The flavors are rich, balanced, and unforgettable. I’ve never been to Italy, but with the owner being Italian herself, I can confidently say this must be on par with true Italian cuisine — if not even better in some cases. From the pasta to the sauces to the desserts, it’s perfection on a plate.

We’ve become regulars, and each visit is just as amazing as the last. Forchetta is a rare gem — a blend of exceptional food, passionate people, and genuine hospitality. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience.

Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. You won’t...

Higher-End Italian Done Right

Every neighborhood needs that local Italian restaurant where you can get your basic pastas like lasagna and pasta Bolognese. Occasionally, though, you want a little more gourmet Italian. Forchetta does that nicely.

Opened recently, the atmosphere is very nice. Staff are uniformly helpful and pleasant. The menu is extensive—larger than most places want to tackle. A shorter menu usually means that the restaurant can do all the items very well. In any case, with some guidance from our waiter, we were able to choose some excellent items.

The wines by the glass seemed a little pricey. Unfortunately, only the grape variety was listed on the menu with no winery mentioned. I’m sure the server could have told me, but it would be better if listed on the menu. Complimentary bread service was much appreciated since it is getting rarer and rarer. We started with the eggplant parmigiana appetizer. I’m more used to an eggplant rollatini for an appetizer while the eggplant parmigiana is usually an entrée. In any case this appetizer was very good. For entrees we had the chicken piccata and the red snapper. Both were delicious. It was nice that the plates included a good serving of fresh vegetables. I would have appreciated a serving of pasta with a Bolognese sauce on the plate to complete a nicely composed meal. We were able to take some of our entrees home to enjoy the next day.

I wish great success for Forchetta and I’ll look forward...