Forno 301 — Restaurant in Scottsdale

I came in on a Friday afternoon with friends that raved about this new Italian restaurant in our neighborhood. It wasn’t busy with only 2 tables with patrons. The bar was empty-so we chose to sit at the bar. We really weren’t greeted—but given menus and water a few minutes later. No mention of the specials or asking if we would like something to drink. I was parched and needed a 7-up or a soda badly. After 10 minutes —our server was clearing tables and I asked her for a 7-up —she said we didn’t have 7-up —we use coke products. So I said can I have a sprite please. She brought me a sprite and my friends ordered a glass of Cabernet and a cocktail. My friend asked for the wine to be best on their list and for a stemless wine glass. ( she is almost blind and didn’t want to spill it). After waiting another 10 minutes our server brought the drink and wine in stemmed glass —so we requested a stemless glass again. Meanwhile our friend with the cocktail goes outside (not with the cocktail) to smoke. We get the stemless glass of wine And order our food ( we knew what our friend wanted —that was outside). I also asked for another sprite. Meanwhile my friend taste her wine and said it didn’t taste or smell good. I taste it and it was definitely an old bottle and taste like vinegar We get our server’s attention and tell her. The Italian owner comes out and ask my friend what the is the name of the person outside—she says that’s my husband——the owner says I want to talk to you both. He is saying this while opening a new bottle of wine—pours himself a taste and then serves my friend in a stemmed glass. Then he goes outside to find my other friend. Meanwhile Im still waiting for a refill on my sprite and feeling very uncomfortable and not very welcome. They come back in and my friend sits at the bar and the owner goes behind the bar and approaches us and I asked him his name —he shushed me and pointed his finger at my friends and started to reprimand them quite loudly something about him going into the kitchen the last time they were there. That he takes care of his staff and he is not allowed in the kitchen. It was so rude the way he said it. My friend said I wanted to tip the kitchen (apparently he gave the staff a 100.00). Then the owner storms off !! Meanwhile I asked for another sprite and my friend for a stemless glass. Our food starts to come out and I asked for mine to please be put into a go container and can I please have another sprite (still waiting on my 1st refill). I admit the food looked delicious but I had never experienced such an unpleasant, unwelcome experience ever in my life. I got my to go container and finally my refill but not any type of apology. I don’t understand why the owner didn’t keep this outside when he went out there. I went home without an appetite and stressed out after a...

This was a pleasant surprise! We loved Slice eat, especially in the earlier days. It did go downhill some in the later days. When I saw that it had closed I was bummed but figured that was the end of it. Not long ago I drove by and saw the "Forno 301" sign and got excited. I'd heard great things about the Phoenix location and knew the owner had a hit there so it made sense to keep the concept going as it was already successful. My wife and I dined in and sat at the bar. The Italian gentleman tending the bar was super friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant and menu. Not sure if staff work in this and the Phoenix location but the service here is on another level than Slice Eat offered. That was a fast casual and this is more sit down dining. We were impressed with how well they all seemed to keep things moving including the kitchen. We had to order the pizza and mista salad as those were favorites from Slice Eat. They were the best of what we remember and more. I also ordered the pesto gnocchi and can say it was the best I've ever had. The gnocchi were lighter and fluffier than I've had which was a delight. The pesto was the essence of basil and fresh garlic. I will absolutely order that again. The bartender poured some limoncello for dessert, which we loved. They are really going above and beyond here and want return business. There won't be any issues getting that here. The dining room isn't large so maybe plan ahead or opt for the drive thru that offers the same menu. I'm so glad they didn't give up on this location as we really needed more options like this in the area....

We went here because of all the rave reviews. When we arrived we were a little hesitant because we saw it had a drive through. Is this fast food Italian? We faced our fears and went in. We were surprised to find a bar and a modern restaurant. We sat and started wondering again when our waitress came complete with a fast food headset. Kind of a confusing mix of impressions were coming at us. Then we ordered, and we were so glad we stayed. Their house Cabernet was excellent. The Caprese salad was fabulous, and included Prosciutto, which was a great add. I don’t know why it was so good, it just seemed like all the ingredients tasted better than normal. I ordered the pizza with lots of meat. The name is a long word starting with an “S” that I couldn’t pronounce, so I pointed to it. It was also very good, again all the ingredients including the crust just seemed a little better than normal. My wife ordered the Ravioli with Sage and Butter. I never order food with sage or rosemary because I feel like I’m eating perfume, but after I scraped off the sage it was quite good. Our only disappointment was with the quantity of ravioli. $16.50 for 6 squares of ravioli just seemed out of place compared to the generous portions of salad and pizza. And the service from our fast food waitress was so-so. Anyway, we really enjoyed the food and recommend you look past the drive through and...