🍕 Il Forno Bello Pizzeria – a new concept from Horatio ‘‘Lacho’’ Hernandez, one of the Valley’s most venerable pizzaiolos – has opened in northeast Mesa.
It takes over the one-time cantina building in front of Mexican restaurant Rancho de Tia Rosa on McKellips, halfway between Lindsay and Val Vista.
Hernandez, if you don’t know, was James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco’s right-hand man at Pizzeria Bianco for nearly two decades. He later helped launch Craft 64, currently Arizona’s top pizzeria according to 50 Top Pizza’s annual ranking.
Il Forno Bello’s streamlined menu offers seven wood-fired pizzas ($21-$29), including Il Lacho with mozzarella, parmigiano Reggiano, candied pancetta, spicy jalapeño, and hot honey.
Two antipasta plates, two salads, and two desserts round out the options.
Il Forno Bello, which means ‘‘The Beautiful Oven,’’ features a special house-reserve balsamic vinegar made in Moderna, Italy, in small batches and aged for 12 years.
Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
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