A new Roman Italian restaurant is joining Chelsea’s dining scene with the opening of Forno D’Oro, a family-run establishment led by Naples-born Master Pizzaiolo Chef Salvatore Olivella.
Located at 196 Eighth Avenue, the restaurant officially opened its doors today, offering a menu centered on traditional Roman and Neapolitan-inspired Italian cuisine, handcrafted pizzas, and an emphasis on family-style hospitality.
For Chef Olivella, the launch represents more than a new business venture. The restaurant is a family affair, with three of his nephews traveling from Italy to help operate the establishment, bringing generations of culinary tradition directly to New York.
“Opening Forno D’Oro today is especially meaningful because it is about more than food—it is about family, tradition, and bringing a piece of Italy to Chelsea,” Olivella said in a statement. “To open this restaurant with family from Italy by my side makes this moment incredibly personal and special.”
Chef Olivella was born into a family that operated a historic pizzeria in Italy and has spent more than 25 years building a career focused on authentic Mediterranean cuisine and traditional Italian pizza-making techniques. Throughout his career, he has worked with restaurants in New York and abroad, specializing in styles including Vera Pizza Napoletana, Pizza al Metro, Pizza al Taglio, and Roman-style pizza adapted for American diners.
At Forno D’Oro, those traditions form the foundation of a menu that emphasizes artisanal preparation, premium imported ingredients, and classic Italian recipes.
Beyond pizza, the restaurant aims to create an immersive dining experience through its design, cocktail program, and hospitality. Guests can expect a range of offerings that include prix fixe menus, family-style dining, private events, and hands-on pizza-making classes designed to introduce diners to traditional Italian techniques.
The concept reflects a growing trend among New York restaurateurs to offer experiential dining in addition to traditional sit-down meals, creating destinations that combine food with cultural storytelling and interactive experiences.
Chelsea has become one of Manhattan’s most competitive restaurant neighborhoods, with new concepts regularly opening alongside established dining destinations. Forno D’Oro hopes its emphasis on authenticity and multigenerational family ownership will help distinguish it in the crowded market.
The restaurant’s name, which translates to “Golden Oven,” reflects its focus on artisanal pizza and old-world craftsmanship.
While many Italian restaurants emphasize regional specialties, Forno D’Oro centers specifically on Roman cuisine while incorporating influences from Chef Olivella’s Neapolitan heritage.
With its combination of traditional recipes, family involvement, and immersive hospitality, Forno D’Oro is positioning itself as both a neighborhood gathering place and a destination for diners seeking an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Chelsea.