"Fornino Park Slope is a throwback, the sort of restaurant that will appeal mostly to those who still think of Manhattan as 'the city,' and who rarely cross a river to get to work," says Sam Sifton in his one star review of chef Michael Ayoub's return to Park Slope. Despite its expansive menu, most critics have focused (unfavorably) on Fornino's grilled pizza. Sifton doesn't dissent, loving pretty much everything until he comes to that controversial item, which "may be the restaurant’s weakest suit. The pies at Fornino Park Slope have thin crusts, in some cases almost shatteringly so, and they can lack the purity of flavor that characterizes the wood-oven versions at the Williamsburg location. Sometimes they don’t work at all. A plain margherita pie, for instance, sits flat and crackly on its plate, devoid of yeasty flavor; it felt in the mouth a little like a pizza made with saltines." more ›

We've been big fans of the brick oven pizza at Williamsburg's Fornino for years, having co-hosted a series of wild pizza parties at the establishment. So it was with great enthusiasm that we welcomed chef/owner Michael Ayoub back to Park Slope, where he recently opened another Fornino in the exact same space where operated one of his first restaurants back in the '90s. But this is not your grandhipster's Fornino: The menu is expansive, boasting a wide array of antipasti, pasta, and entrées, all under $20. Highlights include the Caramelized Onion Tart with Hudson Valley goat cheese and black olive; the Three Cheese Ravioli; and the Roasted Duck Breast with cherries, white balsamic vinegar and spinach. more ›

Attention parents: I Trulli will not serve your kids buttered macaroni. In an attempt to ween parents off their dependence on oversimplified children's menus, restaurateur Nicola Marzovilla took to the Times to announce, "Children’s menus are the death of civilization." Bold words in a city where much adored Fornino was almost boycotted for not having one. But Marzovilla argues that if children are old enough to eat out, they're old enough to try new things. “It’s about nutrition, it’s about family; you go right down the line. And the children’s menu is about the opposite — it’s about making it quick, making it easy, and moving on." more ›

There's a breeder rage outbreak on Yelp over the new Fornino in Park Slope. The pizza joint, which also has a restaurant in Williamsburg, just opened and the parents in the neighborhood are outraged that there's no children's menu. FIPS points to some of the reviews, which make mention of $16 ravioli dishes—too high a price for some people to spend on their flesh and blood miracle of life, apparently. more ›

This week, check out mouthwatering gelato-on-a-stick at popbar, French brasserie fare from Plein Sud, backyard BBQ at Diablo Royale Este, and Fornino's new Park Slope location. And be sure to check out our deluxe photo spreads on two gorgeous new bars: Cienfuegos and Painkiller. more ›

Now that the warm weather is bringing food truck patrons out of hibernation, some brick-and-mortar restaurants have begun complaining about their mobile competition. Brooklyn Paper reports on growing tension on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, a hot spot of truck activity with favorites like Endless Summer and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, where restaurant owners are blaming the trucks for bad business. more ›

Last night, Gothamist and Slice had our second pizza party at Fornino in Williamsburg. We want to thank those of you who attended and hope that everyone had as much fun as we did. Michael Ayoub and his staff served up a whopping 360 pies--18 different types, from the margherita classica to a decadent tartufo pie--over the course of the evening as well as some other tasty treats including fresh mozzarella and a black truffle amuse bouche. more ›

What and How Much: All you can eat pizza, unlimited drinks (beer, wine, soda) for $32 ($30 + ticketing charges, yo)Like the first Gothamist-Slice pizza party at Fornino, there will be a mozzarella making demonstration by Chef-owner Michael Ayoub following the pizza gorging. more ›