Forno Cultura MOCA
Forno Cultura in MOCA is the sixth outpost of popular Italian bakery and cafe.
Occupying the first floor of the old aluminum factory-turned-gallery, this simple counter exists to feed and caffeinate contemporary art lovers and locals on Sterling Road.
This biscotti bar is definitely the most basic iteration of Forno, resembling their Biscotteria in Union Station more closely than the original location on King.
You'll see this well-lit Forno immediately upon entering MOCA. Head past the gallery's array of geometric communal seating to peruse their 24 different type of cookies.
Sleek seating by the floor-to-ceiling windows make for an ultra-relaxing spot to nibble on some Italian baked goods.
Alongside six different type of biscotti are classic almond cookies and three different types of gluten-free amaretti like pan forte and torta caprese.
You can buy any of these cookies for $6 per 100 grams.
There'll be four different types of Forno's interesting loaves of modular bread being made in rotation, including a squid ink bread.
Right now there's the Filone, bread made from durum wheat semolina, and the Brioche Curry made with olive oil turmeric.
Also available are some great snack options that move beyond sweet snacks, like a selection of Italian cornetti ($6.50).
Forno's classic Savoury PLT sandwich ($6.50) on sourdough with pancetta, arugula, swiss cheese and house aioli is always delicious.
The brioche breakfast sandwich is a decadent bread buttered on both sides with cheese, arugula, and a fluffy piece of egg.
As the second location of Forno to offer a pour-over program (it started at Biscotteria), you'll find a couple of approachable coffees and one feature roaster that rotates every four to six weeks.
A pour-over ($4) from Tokyo roaster Fuglen or a full-bodied Guama roast is the caffeination you'll need to take you through all five floors of MOCA.
A latte goes for $3.70, if consumed in the cafe.
As much a part of MOCA as it is its own entity, this Forno doesn't differ much from other locations of the Italian bakery with its distinct and high-quality coffee and cookies.
Hector Vasquez