It’s always nice to be invited along to an opening night, and The Man Bird and I were really looking forward to the re-launch of Il Forno (formerly Giorgios) on Shefield Road in Chesterfield. Yet again, it’s confession time: we haven’t been here for nigh on a decade! The last time we visited, we brought Mummy Bird along for Giorgios ‘half price pizza and pasta’ offer that ran on Sunday and Monday. In true ChezVegas style, the locals wanted to know one thing: would this fab offer still be running under Il Forno? I’m happy to report that, yes, it will!!
However, we need to get back to the buzz of relaunch night… guests were welcomed with glasses of fizz to toast Fran and Ricardo’s success (as well as the news that a brother or sister is imminent for the gorgeous Esmeralda, currently cooking in Frans’ tummy <3). The large bar is well stocked with wines, spirits and lagers, as well as some tasty cocktails that I indulged in as the evening progressed: hello, Aperol [Italian] Spritz and Margarita.
A very talented vocalist was providing live music and her efforts were thoroughly appreciated by the assembled guests. We sat at a long table and soon made friends; our immediate neighbours, Nicky and Chris were marvellous company, so huge thanks to them for making the evening even more pleasurable.
Raffle tickets were selling fast, with the monies raised going to the Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Prizes included a Spa Day for Two, Food and Drinks Hampers and tickets to Matlock Farm Park, which His Nibs won! We don’t have young children, so put them back into the draw, which Chris then won; being in the same predicament as us, he and Nicky decided to give them to the young children on another table.
Food was served buffet-style, and people wandered up at various intervals to load their plates with all manner of temptations. Il Forno is named after the impressive wood-fired Pizza Oven that was producing some seriously tasty Pizzas, and also that it is an authentic Italian restaurant. Lovers of Italian cuisine will be grinning at the Lasagne and Chicken in White Wine; both were ridiculously good! The colourful salads had fruity Olives in and properly silky Mozzarella that served chilled Mediterranean dining vibes, and the Arancini were beyond magnificent – His Nibs and I both said that we’d be returning tout-suite (I don’t know how to say PDQ in Italian) …probably for the half price evening!
Cheers to you, Fran and Ricardo on the relaunch of Il Forno; The Man and I wish you much success. To book a table at Il Forno, call 01246 455245. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Il Forno is open 5pm-9pm Thurs and Fri, 5pm-10pm on Saturday, Noon-8pm on Sunday, and 5pm-9pm on Mon.
