Gran Forno Bakery On Las Olas

Reviews 4

TR

Tracy A

RATS INSIDE THE GRAN FORNO BAKERY! Would you still eat from Gran Forno if you saw rats (yes RATS) inside their Las Olas storefront where they do the baking? Please know that I take no pleasure in this post. That said, last Thursday night after dinner (about 10:00), my wife and I were walking along Las Olas and stopped in front of Gran Forno because we saw a guy working in the back - we thought it was cool that we could see the bread being made from the front window. After a couple of minutes we were disgusted to see three rats (not mice…RATS). The first rat walked along the inside window ledge directly in front of us and down under the bread baskets that were stacked under the large table in front of the window, then over to the right corner to drink from water that was leaking from a hose rolled up on the floor. We also noted that there were a lot of breadcrumbs and what looked to be yellow stains (like urine) on the inside window ledge. We saw a second rat run across the floor a little further back inside the bakery room. And we saw a third rat hanging out under a machine just a few feet from us at the front window. And this was all in the space of a couple of shocking minutes. I tapped on the window to get the attention of the guy that was working in the back. When he came to the front to see what we wanted, we told him that we had just seen three rats inside the bakery room where he was working. He replied that he had been working since 6:00 AM, was focused on getting an order done for the airport and that he would “take care of it tomorrow”. Really? As you can imagine my wife and I were shocked by what we saw. But unfortunately, the guy working there didn’t seem to be phased by it at all. If you know anything about rats, you know that where there’s one, there’s usually more…a lot more. And we saw three rats in the course of a couple of minutes inside the bakery with many of the lights on. I’m sure some people might assume that I’m just an unhappy customer and making all of this up. But I’ve never bought anything from Gran Forno. In fact, since we live in Boca Raton, we never even knew Gran Forno existed until we had dinner in Las Olas last week and just happened upon it while on a walk. Unfortunately, my wife and I were so shocked and disgusted by what we were seeing that I didn’t even think to take a video with my phone. I wish I had so I could have posted it. I do not wish to cause problems for anyone. I’m just a concerned citizen and I think people, especially potential customers, as well as the health department, should be aware of what we saw. :-( I have no reason to waste my time making this up. I simply can’t stop thinking about the potential health hazard this presents to customers of Gran Forno. And I cannot believe that such a well-established bakery is operating with rats inside of its bakery room. Just think how filthy the bakery must be. I did try to email the bakery, but received no reply. I also tried to contact the owner, Leone Padula, on Facebook. But he hasn’t replied either. I planned to go back to Gran Forno at 10:00 at night to see if I see more rats. But I simply haven’t had the time to drive back down there yet. I would expect to see more of the same. If anyone lives closer and is interested in corroborating my story, I’m sure the community would appreciate it and like to read your comments. Thanks

JO

Joel Lippman

I am only giving 4 stars for the bakery goods which are to die for. Some of the things are absolutely delicious. I dont care for everything especially the service and the little lady who seems to be the mgr. NOT a nice person to me! Always seems to have an arrogant attitude like you used to get in a French restaurant years ago. Like she was doing me the favor to separate me from my hard earned money. Went in there this morning at 8:30 to get something I love and was told it was in the oven and didnt know when it would be ready. Well I bake and that is pretty much not true. I spent $30 for a few items I mean a few went back later and spent $11 more for 2 pizza slices. Its just delicious. Its expensive. Bought 1 lb. of asst. cookies a piece of quiche (tomato & bacon) delicious & some kind of stuffed piece of pizza for my friend also delicious. I was disappointed about no sfogliatelle though. They are scrumptious. One of the best things I have eaten in my 65 years as a resident of this planet. So I went back after going to the beach for a few hours at 10:30 and was then told we dont have that today. I said really? Why did you tell me they were in the oven? Just to get me out of you face? They even know I go there there most days in my electric chair because I am disabled. Mgr. lady doesnt even say sorry for your trouble nada, nothing. Just like too bad so sad MFer. Come here pay our ridiculous prices and get treated like crap. Not my style. I dont expect much these days but my goodness is there no accountability just because you run an upper class bakery on Las Olas? I got treated better in Publix on Andrews ave. yesterday. Yes I will go back but dont think I will leave anything in their tip bucket. TIP also means courteous & thoughtful. They have never been that but today was over the top. And I am pissed I didnt get my sfogliatelle. Boo hoo!

A

A Private User

Gran Forno is a pearl in an ocean of posh, expensive restaurants that dot Las Olas. Ive been in the area for years and only took notice of the joint a few months ago, but glad I did. "The best pizza" is usually an overused, trivialized cliche that any pizzeria can claim hold to, but Gran Forno deserves it. I assume THIS is what authentic, italian pizza tastes like. Tomato sauce can make or break a pizza (hear that, bucca di beppo?!), and theirs is the most natural tasting Ive ever experienced, I dont know if they make it on the spot or not but it sure tastes like it. Even better than their pizza is the chicken pesto sandwich, served on a crunchy ciabatta bread - nothing comes close to it, and you can taste the individual ingredients, from the pesto sauce to the olive oil. The ambiance is really nice, like a small comfy cafe in Europe. It seems like a good number of patrons go for the coffee, I havent tried it yet but its in the plans. My only gripe is the waiter staff, they seem impersonal and distant - more like food servers than actual waiters and not too concerned about their patrons wellbeing (bordering snobbish). But that doesnt take my star away - Id add 5 more if I could. Forget Anthonys coal-burned pizza - Gran Forno has the real deal!

AB

Abbie N

Eggplant Parmesan is wonderfully delicious and the portion is huge! Baked goods are always fresh. The bread is worth the indulgence. Its easy to find, I come here early and never have an issue finding street metered parking. Coffee is nothing special but its tasty. Indoor and outdoor seating. Comfortable indoor ambiance. Being able to see the bakery action is always a focal point when I bring guests. Staff however, never friendly, no matter how big Im smiling they seem inconvenienced. The eggplant is what keeps me coming back.