Where to begin… when Forte first opened, my friends and I were so happy, finally we didn’t have to drive to Birmingham to have French food. 9/10 times the old Forte was great.However, I was very hesitant to return after looking at the menu. Begrudgingly, my friends talked me into trying the “new” Forte, and boy was it a huge letdown. When we arrived at the table, we could tell the kitchen had started to shut down due to not many people in the restaurant. The chefs were visibly agitated that we were there. The appetizers were barely ok, the charcuterie was not worth the price for the small amount of food, the shrimp tasted good, but were very small.The entrees were absolutely terrible. My pasta was congealed together, and chewy. During one point in the dinner, my friends and I looked at each other and said, this is terrible.It’s such a shame a place with such a nice environment can not deliver. It has so much potential, but a management and chef change is in order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Molly Stephens
Don’t mean to be over critical but we ordered several martinis with dinner that weee served in highball glasses almost like a shot because they were out of glasses. We aLeo ordered white wine, and 3 glasses came in a white wine glass and 1 in a basic red wine glass. Food was fine. My thing with glasses is part of the martini and wine experience is having the right glass. This is not an inexpensive place - they should have enough glasses to serve their drinks right or come back and give customer option to change their order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Dana Patrick
Fantastic new menu, best staff in town, drinks are superb, ambiance is A+
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Seth H.
We came to visit our daughter and wanted to take her out somewhere nice (poor college student). After having one of the worst experiences ever at Dillard's Chophouse the last time we were in town for parents weekend, we decided to go on a recommendation from a friend and give Forte a try. I wish we had gotten the recommendation sooner. From the minute we sat down until we paid the bill the experience was excellent. While the food was outstanding, the service was even better. Our server Daniel was extremely attentive and not once did we have to ask for anything. He had quite a few tables but made us feel as if we were his only one. Every drink and dish we ordered were outstanding and we've decided that from now on, anytime we are in town we will be sure to eat here (we've already made our reservation for when we return in September). if you want the best Tuscaloosa has to offer this is your place. Amd if the manager of Dillard's happens to read this you may want to make a reservation and ask for Daniel....I think you could learn something.
C Miller
Started off with drinks on the top floor. Great drinks, service and appetizers (cheese board and sliders). Terrific start. Dinner downstairs was incredibly disappointing. Steak was ice cold and still arrived with the smoked paprika we asked to have removed. Allergies!!! Daughter had plain pasta that was raw and was charged full price for the bolognese entree ($27 for uncooked pasta). Sous chef came out to explain that’s the price whether you get the bolognese sauce or not. Had to argue to have the steak removed from bill with him. Very rude and then saw him smoking out back after the meal. I guess that’s why everything too so long to serve and was uncooked and or cold. He wasn’t managing the kitchen. Spoke to a manager on way out but but she was the banquet manager, no others onsite, and just listened to my issue and said sorry though agreed that the price of the pasta and having to argue to have the cold steak removed wasn’t right. Was second time here and won’t be back, ever. The worst meal we’ve ever had in Tuscaloosa. Closing soon for sureParking: it’s parking
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amirmahdi Navabi
This place is so good if anyone said otherwise they’re lying. It is a bit overpriced but it’s worth it ?♂️.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
amanda lipscomb
We just visited for the valentines night special. From the complementary champagne to the dessert ever bite was outstanding. Complements to the chef and staff to deliver such a beautiful menu on a high volume night. While yes it was busy the wait for the food was completely worth it. The tiramisu is the best I’ve had in my life it was light and fluffy and so flavorful, the chicken Parmesan was crispy and cooked to perfection as well as the steak my fiancé had. If you haven’t tried Forte yet i 1000000% recommend you can tell the work that goes into creating their menu and the passion they have for food! The staff was so kind and attentive to us all night so we will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner forte!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stuart Hartley
We enjoyed the new menu! Service was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Ryan
I just saw the new menu. What on earth were you all thinking!? You've destroyed probably the best and most unique restaurant menu in Tuscaloosa. The last thing Tuscaloosa needs is another menu full of carbs and pasta. Was a frequent customer but likely won't be back until you get a menu actually worthy of a high end restaurant.
Food: 1
Ashley Cannon
First time dining with new chef in place. Loved everything!! The bolognese was off the charts fantastic! There were multiple large parties dining, and the staff was top notch. The server even gave us a complimentary bottle of wine since he felt like things were taking longer than they should. We will definitely be back!!!!
The new menu was amazing!! The chicken parm and the bolognese were both wonderful. Nice portions and so tasty. The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff was friendly. Loved everything about our meal and will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy Newby
Family was at the restaurant two hours and left before food arrived. Very disappointed with Management as we had reservations and after a very extended wait were advised there were only two cooks. Waited over 30 more minutes and we were exhausted with the entire ordeal and left.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Kendall Gunnels
Ended up having to leave before food even came to the table. Only 2 cooks and the manager was “annoyed” at our concern, although we’d been waiting for 2 hours to eat!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Tracy Bevis
We sat for two hours, and never received our food. We left the restaurant hungry and went to Whataburger. I am very disappointed in the management. Group of 9
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tracy Harrison Bevis
Manager is terrible! We waited over two hours and decided to leave. There were only two cooks for a Saturday night. We never received our food. Would not recommend.
Where to begin… when Forte first opened, my friends and I were so happy, finally we didn’t have to drive to Birmingham to have French food. 9/10 times the old Forte was great.However, I was very hesitant to return after looking at the menu. Begrudgingly, my friends talked me into trying the “new” Forte, and boy was it a huge letdown. When we arrived at the table, we could tell the kitchen had started to shut down due to not many people in the restaurant. The chefs were visibly agitated that we were there. The appetizers were barely ok, the charcuterie was not worth the price for the small amount of food, the shrimp tasted good, but were very small.The entrees were absolutely terrible. My pasta was congealed together, and chewy. During one point in the dinner, my friends and I looked at each other and said, this is terrible.It’s such a shame a place with such a nice environment can not deliver. It has so much potential, but a management and chef change is in order.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Don’t mean to be over critical but we ordered several martinis with dinner that weee served in highball glasses almost like a shot because they were out of glasses. We aLeo ordered white wine, and 3 glasses came in a white wine glass and 1 in a basic red wine glass. Food was fine. My thing with glasses is part of the martini and wine experience is having the right glass. This is not an inexpensive place - they should have enough glasses to serve their drinks right or come back and give customer option to change their order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Fantastic new menu, best staff in town, drinks are superb, ambiance is A+
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came to visit our daughter and wanted to take her out somewhere nice (poor college student). After having one of the worst experiences ever at Dillard's Chophouse the last time we were in town for parents weekend, we decided to go on a recommendation from a friend and give Forte a try. I wish we had gotten the recommendation sooner. From the minute we sat down until we paid the bill the experience was excellent. While the food was outstanding, the service was even better. Our server Daniel was extremely attentive and not once did we have to ask for anything. He had quite a few tables but made us feel as if we were his only one. Every drink and dish we ordered were outstanding and we've decided that from now on, anytime we are in town we will be sure to eat here (we've already made our reservation for when we return in September). if you want the best Tuscaloosa has to offer this is your place. Amd if the manager of Dillard's happens to read this you may want to make a reservation and ask for Daniel....I think you could learn something.
Started off with drinks on the top floor. Great drinks, service and appetizers (cheese board and sliders). Terrific start. Dinner downstairs was incredibly disappointing. Steak was ice cold and still arrived with the smoked paprika we asked to have removed. Allergies!!! Daughter had plain pasta that was raw and was charged full price for the bolognese entree ($27 for uncooked pasta). Sous chef came out to explain that’s the price whether you get the bolognese sauce or not. Had to argue to have the steak removed from bill with him. Very rude and then saw him smoking out back after the meal. I guess that’s why everything too so long to serve and was uncooked and or cold. He wasn’t managing the kitchen. Spoke to a manager on way out but but she was the banquet manager, no others onsite, and just listened to my issue and said sorry though agreed that the price of the pasta and having to argue to have the cold steak removed wasn’t right. Was second time here and won’t be back, ever. The worst meal we’ve ever had in Tuscaloosa. Closing soon for sureParking: it’s parking
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This place is so good if anyone said otherwise they’re lying. It is a bit overpriced but it’s worth it ?♂️.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just visited for the valentines night special. From the complementary champagne to the dessert ever bite was outstanding. Complements to the chef and staff to deliver such a beautiful menu on a high volume night. While yes it was busy the wait for the food was completely worth it. The tiramisu is the best I’ve had in my life it was light and fluffy and so flavorful, the chicken Parmesan was crispy and cooked to perfection as well as the steak my fiancé had. If you haven’t tried Forte yet i 1000000% recommend you can tell the work that goes into creating their menu and the passion they have for food! The staff was so kind and attentive to us all night so we will definitely be back soon! Thank you for a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner forte!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We enjoyed the new menu! Service was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just saw the new menu. What on earth were you all thinking!? You've destroyed probably the best and most unique restaurant menu in Tuscaloosa. The last thing Tuscaloosa needs is another menu full of carbs and pasta. Was a frequent customer but likely won't be back until you get a menu actually worthy of a high end restaurant.
Food: 1
First time dining with new chef in place. Loved everything!! The bolognese was off the charts fantastic! There were multiple large parties dining, and the staff was top notch. The server even gave us a complimentary bottle of wine since he felt like things were taking longer than they should. We will definitely be back!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The new menu was amazing!! The chicken parm and the bolognese were both wonderful. Nice portions and so tasty. The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff was friendly. Loved everything about our meal and will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Family was at the restaurant two hours and left before food arrived. Very disappointed with Management as we had reservations and after a very extended wait were advised there were only two cooks. Waited over 30 more minutes and we were exhausted with the entire ordeal and left.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Ended up having to leave before food even came to the table. Only 2 cooks and the manager was “annoyed” at our concern, although we’d been waiting for 2 hours to eat!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
We sat for two hours, and never received our food. We left the restaurant hungry and went to Whataburger. I am very disappointed in the management. Group of 9
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Manager is terrible! We waited over two hours and decided to leave. There were only two cooks for a Saturday night. We never received our food. Would not recommend.