Il Fornaio Goes National, Opens in the Reston Town Center
Chef Claudio Zorloni takes the reigns at the Company’s First East Coast Restaurant
RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The kitchen passed its tests, the staff has been trained, and most importantly, the oven has been blessed. Il Fornaio opened its doors for business today in the Reston Town Center in Northern Virginia, the company’s first East Coast location. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly, Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, and Greater Chamber of Commerce President Penny Pompei helped cut the ribbon at a morning ceremony with Il Fornaio President Michael Beatrice, Managing Partner David Carteni, and Chef-Partner Claudio Zorloni. The ribbon cutting was followed by the slicing of the restaurant’s signature, mouth-watering first loaf of ciabatta bread.
“It was always our plan to open on the East Coast, but we had to find the perfect place. The Reston Town Center is it,” said Michael J. Beatrice, President of Il Fornaio. He also thanked the community leaders for their support.
Chef-Partner Claudio Zorloni hails from just outside of Milano and heads the kitchen, which serves lunch and dinner seven days a week and will begin brunch on weekends in September. Signature dishes at Il Fornaio include the fresh pastas made daily on-site, like the Fettuccine, Ravioli, Gnocchi and Cappelacci; seldom-seen artisanal pastas from Italy, including Capunti and Paccheri; and the authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a 22-oz certified Angus porterhouse steak.
Il Fornaio is Italian for “The Baker,” and comes to Reston via California where the company’s restaurants have received numerous accolades. The classic Italian restaurant features authentic regional Italian food made from scratch. Il Fornaio’s dedication to authentic Italian recipes can be traced back to the original Il Fornaio baking school, founded in 1972 in Lombardia, Italy to preserve authentic regional recipes and the traditional art of Italian artisan baking. Il Fornaio celebrates the regional cooking of Italy with the monthly Festa Regionale, featuring a special menu focused on one of its regions. The Festa celebrations in Reston will start in October, the first being both Il Fornaio’s and Chef Zorloni’s native Lombardia.
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana is located at 11990 Market Street, Suite 106, Reston, VA 20190. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11:00am – 11:00pm; Friday, 11:00am – 12 midnight; Saturday, 10:00am – 12 midnight; and Sunday, 10:00am – 11:00pm. Ample free parking is available in nearby lots and on the street. Reservations are recommended and are available at www.ilfornaio.com or by calling 703.437.5544.
To request menus, renderings, photographs or more information about Il Fornaio, please contact Danielle Piacente, Linda Roth Associates, LLC at 703.417.2702, danielle@lindarothpr.com.
