Osteria Forto — Restaurant in O’Fallon

Dined here last night and can't say enough good things about this place. Finally a true upscale dining experience in the O'Fallon/St. Peters area. It's clear why this place has glowing reviews and you have to reserve in advance - the food is amazing. The worst part was having to choose between all the great options. I had the Rigatoni Cardinale and highly recommend it. Generous portions of seafood (lobster, scallops, shrimp) and an amazing white wine tomato sauce...definitely very good value on this dish. My wife had the filet which she ordered medium rare. It was a very high quality cut which was cooked perfectly, and priced consistent with the market. We had 3 glasses of wine combined - the wine list has good choices also priced consistent with the market. We were so full we could not get to the desserts, but they sounded amazing and I heard they're to die for. The space is "cozy" (a little tight but that's how many high end restaurants are); however, it's comfortable and very nicely remodeled. The noise level was fine, no need to shout at each other or even raise our voices even though the place was full. The location is good - sure it's in a strip center, but so is Paul Manno's in west county - there is ample parking. Our server was very friendly and on top of things. She was dressed slightly more casual than I would have expected, but made up for that with her service and personality. What really struck a great impression with me was the involvement of the owner. We were first seated at a table very close to another group. He accommodated our request to move to a different table. And he came by a couple of other times, to drop off drinks and box up our leftovers. On top of that, he wrapped the Styrofoam containers in saran wrap to keep anything from leaking - I wish everywhere did that! This place is newer and potentially still getting the staff into their groove as this isn't the typical dining establishment for the area. Fingers crossed it stays here and at this level for a long time. I was surprised by the experience of the one individual who gave this a 2 star review. That's clearly an anomaly and they should give Osteria Forto another try. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a good fine dining experience and amazing...

As a frequent patron of elevated dining experiences across continents, I arrived with high hopes and a palate attuned to nuance. The concept here is ambitious, an intimate Italian-inspired setting with a focus on warmth, depth, and culinary storytelling. Unfortunately, the execution fell short in several key areas.

Cuisine The Meatball Bolognese flirted with excellence but lacked the cohesion expected at this price point. The sauce carried a pleasant depth, yet the meatballs themselves felt underseasoned and texturally flat. Bread service, often a hallmark of Italian hospitality, was a disappointment. What arrived was dry, dense, and devoid of the rustic charm or olive oil pairing one might anticipate.

Water Quality A surprising misstep: the water had a distinct musty undertone, which detracted from the overall sensory experience. In a venue aspiring to fine dining, even the water should reflect care.

Ambience Daylight offered a gentle welcome, but as evening settled, the lighting became impractically dim. Rather than evoking intimacy, it created visual strain. A modest increase in ambient lighting would preserve mood while enhancing comfort. Additionally, the table layout felt overly compressed. Conversations from neighboring diners were unavoidably audible, compromising any sense of privacy.

Service The staff were the evening’s saving grace, attentive, gracious, and impressively knowledgeable. There was, however, a subtle air of apprehension, as if navigating behind-the-scenes tension. Their professionalism shone through nonetheless.

Overall Impression This establishment has heart and potential. The vision is clear, but refinement is needed. With adjustments to lighting, acoustics, and culinary consistency, it could evolve into a...

Such a great addition to OFallon! My husband and I decided to try this restaurant out last minute. Per the reservation online, they had an opening at 8 pm. We headed there early with hopes to be seated faster. The host was incredibly nice and helpful. After a short wait at the bar (with friendly service as well!), we were seated at a table.

The dining area is quaint and beautifully decorated. Although a smaller dining area, we had PLENTY of room and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Our server, Erin, was fabulous. Very well spoken, knew the menu well and had some great recommendations.

My husband had the Pinot Noir and I had the Pinot Grigio. Both were well priced and refreshing.

We ordered the meatball bolognese and the eggplant appetizers. They were with different sauces. I really enjoyed tasting both! Would order again!!

We shared the Forto salad - which was plenty to share!! It was incredible! Very hearty with the vegetables, which is always my favorite.

My husband had the salmon and I had the tortellini. He said his salmon was the best he’s had in a while. Tortellini is my go to and I’m pretty judgy with it. It was amazing!! Full of flavor and the perfect amount of sauce. We had so much food and had plenty to take home, which they wrapped up nicely so there was no spillage.

The owners came by our table to see how everything was. They were friendly and talkative. The whole vibe was on point.

Fabulous place for a girls night out, for a nice family dinner, or even a romantic date night.

5⭐️s across the board. Will...