Il Forno Italian restaurant recently was acquired by new owners and partners, Mat Tran and Chef Giorgiono Vignali.
Chef Giorgiono has been chef of the restaurant since its inception, and intends to keep the same high quality of homemade recipes and ingredients for which Il Forno has become known.
Sicilian-born Giorgiono came to the Valley nine years ago, and apprenticed under a master chef at an Italian restaurant in Scottsdale. “My mentor told me that to be a good chef, you must make sure every dish coming out of your kitchen is right and looks perfect, and that is a standard I continue in honor of him,” Giorgiono said.
“He puts pride in every dish,” said Mat, “and we intend to keep our pricing decent, so customers get their money’s worth, as well as enjoyment from their meal.”
How Mat and Giorgiono formed their partnership was somewhat serendipitous. Last February, Mat was laid off from his job after 12 years as an IT engineer with a local company. His job was on-site assistance to IT customers. “I love dealing with people, and I just didn’t know what I would do next,” he said.
Mat’s wife, Tracy, owns Pho Nhat, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Tempe. So, Mat was familiar with the restaurant business. Giorgiono happened to be dating his wife’s sister. One night, when they were all together, Giorgiono suggested, “Why don’t you try helping people in another field—like helping people to get something good to eat?”
The idea blossomed, and Mat and Giorgiono now own and operate Il Forno together. Giogiono is the chef, and Mat takes care of the business side, and, of course, frequently moves through the restaurant to chat with patrons and make sure diners are enjoying a good meal.
In addition to made-from-scratch raviolis, pasta and bread, homemade mozzarella and Italian sausage, Il Forno offers a variety of pasta dishes and Italian-inspired entrées, wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and salads, as well as a complete bar.
Il Forno is located on the west side of The Home Depot shopping center, at Power and McKellips roads, near Dunkin Donuts and Sports Clips. Hours are Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For orders or information, call (480) 807-0888.