The Corner at Charlestown Square landed themselves a brand-new foodie joint in August and we decided to drop by to see what all the fuss was about. Hungry and craving some Italian eats? Drop by In Forno at The Corner.

What comes as the second venue for the In Forno brand, with the original space set just off of Beaumont Street in Hamilton, Charlestown welcomes the unrivalled Italian flavours (and extensive cocktail list) with open arms.

With Harry Malhi at the helm once more, the second iteration of In Forno continues with his enthusiasm and passion for offering unique dining experiences and authentic Italian flavours.

Rubbing shoulders with Rascal Burgers, Jim’s Malaysia, 4 Pines, One Tree Coffee, and Lee’s Yum Cha, In Forno is the newest addition to The Corner’s foodie lineup.

The Corner is Lake Macquarie’s premier dining precinct, and with the addition of In Forno adding to the alfresco dining experience, there’s no longer a reason for Lake Mac residents to travel all the way into town for a mid-week meal.

“I want to focus on a more dining experience here at The Corner as opposed to grab-n-go. I want people to enjoy a proper dinner, enjoy some Italian wines, and listen to the music,” Harry said.

Almost three years since opening the Hamilton venue, Harry started looking within the Charlestown area for his second space about 12 months ago before officially signing the lease on this space here at The Corner in December last year.

“There is nowhere in Charlestown that has a main street like Beaumont Street is for Hamilton. I had the option to choose from the South Piazza at Charlestown Square, or here at The Corner. I came through here at night-time and fell in love with the lights – they’re the same style that we have at our Hamilton space.”

Eight months of fit-outs later In Forno Charlestown officially came to life with a jam-packed VIP evening kicking things off on the 31st of August, 2023.

The cosy space had a complete renovation and comes complete with a fully stocked bar, an open kitchen space (with a brand new woodfired pizza oven), and those iconic Italian colours dotted throughout.

So, what’s to expect on the menu?

The food offering remains exactly the same as the Hamilton venue. For those not well-acquainted with the OG offering, let us take you on a bit of an In Forno culinary journey.

There are more than 20 pizza flavours and 15+ pasta options to choose from, and salads and other sides for days. Nibble on starters like Tomato Basil Bruschetta, Chilli Prawns, or a Meat & Cheese Board. The collection of main dishes includes ribs, as well as chicken, veal, and seafood, and dedicated kids meals. The jam-packed range of desserts includes Tiramisu, Creme Brulee and Nutella Crespelle.

“We want to make sure we cater to everyone – kids, the health-conscious, the big eaters, and even the seafood lovers.

“We have plenty of items on the menu to choose from, so even if you visit 10+ times, there will still be items on the menu you haven’t tried before.”

The drinks menu continues with its big and bold offerings including a HUGE Italian (and local) wine feature, plus 30 different cocktails and cocktail specials happening throughout the week.

“When you try to go into a shopping centre, a lot of people think we’re a chain and based in Sydney. It’s really important for people to know that we started here in Newcastle.”

Continuing on his mission to offer some of the best authentic Italian eats in Newcastle, Harry has plans to continue to add delicious new creations to the menu – but the question is, what’s next?

To understand what all the fuss is about, drop by the newly-opened Charlestown venue and taste test the In Forno goodness for yourself.