Forno Santo brings modern Italian dining to Tulsa's 'Santa Fe Square'
A vision comes to life
Earlier this year, crews were still laying tile and finishing construction inside what would become Forno Santo.
The restaurant, whose name translates to “holy oven,” opened Easter weekend in Santa Fe Square.
“This is our newest Italian concept. It’s our second Italian concept,” said Lindsey Gifford, Vice President of Hospitality for the McNellie’s Group. “It’s obviously huge, more European inspired. Elliot (Nelson’s) been really, really excited about this one.”
The oven takes center stage
At the heart of the restaurant is a hand-tiled Marra Forni pizza oven imported from Italy.
The oven reaches temperatures of more than 700 degrees, allowing Neapolitan-style pizzas to cook in just minutes.
“The pizza oven, people have been just loving it,” Gifford said. “One, it’s beautiful. It came to us from Italy. It’s hand tiled.”
All pizza dough is made in-house before being stretched to order. Among the most popular options is the mortadella pizza, while a mushroom pizza features wild mushrooms sourced locally.
A menu built around Italian favorites
While pizza may be the centerpiece, the menu extends well beyond the oven.
Appetizers include whipped ricotta, prosciutto and melon, and sausage with polenta. During lunch service, guests can order sandwiches such as a mortadella sandwich, Italian sub and caprese.
Dinner offerings include chicken parmesan, bolognese, lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs made with wagyu beef.
“There are a lot of traditional favorites that you’re going to recognize, but there’s some really fun, modern twists on some things as well,” Gifford said.
One example is the restaurant’s lasagna, which is served as layered sheets rather than cut from a traditional casserole dish.
Designed for gathering
The restaurant’s design features red leather booths, detailed tile work, and a prominent central bar.
Forno Santo also offers multiple service styles. Guests can enjoy full-service dining, while a counter provides a quicker lunch option during the week.
“Counter service, take a number, grab a sandwich, pizza, salad,” Gifford said. “Come have it out on our plaza, take it to go, so it’s a really easy casual option.”
The restaurant is open seven days a week and also serves as a gathering place for visitors to Santa Fe Square, including the weekly Midweek Market held on Wednesdays at the plaza throughout the fall.
Forno Santo is located at 503 E 2nd St S, Tulsa, OK 74120