John Z.
Yelp
I had many recommendation for Gran Forno, both from Yelpers and 'real life' people (including one doctor.) After several visits, it's easy to see, and taste, why. The windowed right side is the actual bakery, with bread-making machines of wonder on display; and on the right, the actual display/eatery section. A wall of gorgeous fresh-baked loaves, another the menu, all fronted by displays of both their savory and sweet offerings.
My first visit was just a look-see as it was before dinner, and when I said I was eating and just wanted to try a cookie, the owner was nice enough to offer me a sample of one. (It's #2 on the list below.) He also said they had been open since the mid-90's, well beyond being just a "new find." I've made group returns four times since then; the top four eatings highlights are:
4) Tangerine tart. At first it didn't come across as that interesting, but we all enjoyed it the more we ate it. Bright burst of tangerine segments.
3) Their assorted panini, this of ham and provolone on ciabatta. Overall great sandwich but that chiabatta bread was the highlight.
2) The almond/strawberry jam cookie (mentioned above.) A 'thumbprint' cookie filled with oozy strawberry jam, made with almond flour and encrusted with sliced almonds. OMG good. Pricey at $1.75 but totally worth it. And :drumroll: ...
1) Their chocolate/caramel bread pudding. Seriously folks, one of the better desserts I've ever enjoyed. A wedge of bread pudding with strata of chocolate and walnuts (and maybe some apple?), draped in gooey caramel and festooned by slivers of dark chocolate. Every forkful was a mouthgasm. Not 'too' sweet. Be still my heart.
I've yet to try their lemon cake, which my doc swears by. And, a couple of the other cookies were more just OK (the heart-shaped ones and the petit four.) And, please note, their offerings vary on a day-by-day basis, probably more for my personal experiences as I've been there early evening.
But a nice latte or tea, a couple of excellent sweets or panini, on their curbside seating, enjoying delicious baked goods and the pulse of Las Olas at G.F. has been a consistent pleasure. I wish they were walking distance, but for now they're still worth the drive.