Bocca Ristorante
Italian · Downtown Birmingham · $$
4.6(386)
Italian · Birmingham, MI · $$$
Forest is an Italian restaurant in the Birmingham neighborhood of Birmingham.
“I had the pleasure of dining at Forest today, 26 February 2026. It was a great experience from start to end. I was able to reserve a table the same day and was immediately greeted and sat down by the host. The server for my table, Jamie, who was an absolute delight, was at my table no more than 3 minutes after sitting down and introduced herself as well as noted down any dietary restrictions. The atmosphere upon entering and sitting down was warm and inviting. It added to the overall experience. The restaurant was not busy at the start. It was quiet and cozy. When it comes to food, they offer a great variety of dishes, with a decent selection of starters, sides, pastas, and main courses. One section that caught my eye is the drinks, which I asked Jamie about. I was recommended a tasty mocktail, the Rock & Rye which had a good balance between sweet and bitter. While it tasted lovely, I believe I would have enjoyed a different drink more. That is why I rate it a 4.5/5. For tonight’s dinner, I asked Jamie about a few of the dishes, which she was well informed about as well as offering me some daily specials including the tomahawk and truffle pasta. I ended up going with their mushroom soup as a starter and the lasagna for my main course. I was then served complimentary bread which was fluffy on the inside and had a light crispness to its exterior. It was sprinkled with a light amount of salt on top to amplify the flavor. It came with a side of extra virgin olive oil for dipping which tasted phenomenal. The bread gets a 5/5 from me. It was now time for the soup. The mushroom soup truly took me to a different world. It had a generous amount of truffle grated at the top and smelled very earthy. The mushroom flavor was pronounced, with a subtle spice in the background that elevated the dish. This soup breaks the rating scale earning a 6/5. Once I was finished with my soup, my lasagna was ready and was served with a decent amount of parmesan grated on top. My only disappointment for the night was the lasagna, while the flavors all around were amazing, it felt like the pasta was overcooked as it did not hold itself together. Overall, it was a good dish. I just wish it was cooked a little less on the pasta. I would give the lasagna a 3.5/5. To end the night, I decided to skip dessert and drink a cup of tea. Overall, Forest is an amazing restaurant, with great service, and a nice ambience. The menu choices are fitting for a wide variety of people making it a great place to visit for a date, as a solo diner, or even as a family. Jamie elevated the experience with her knowledge of the menu and quick service. I would rate the experience a 4.5/5. My only recommendation regarding service is to supply servers with a table crumber to remove crumbs when transitioning from dinner to dessert. A small detail that would add to the overall experience. A big thank you to the management for the great execution, and a big thank you to Jamie for the smooth and speedy service.”
“Def a bit more upscale and wonderful restaurant My favorites; beet salad, baked Alaska, the thin fries with Duck and butter beans My not so favorites (my personal opinion) - tuna being over flavored by sesame oil - “lamach” pasta with shrimp being too salty - tiramisu missed the traditional coffee flavor”
“Went again and this is the best restaurant in Michigan! Shadi has the best recommendations and is so helpful!! 10/10! Went again and this is the best restaurant in Michigan! Shadi has the best recommendations and is so helpful — truly above and beyond. 10/10! On this visit, we tried the Black Rice, Farm Egg, Arancini, Rigatoni Bolognese, and Truffle Pasta — every dish was exceptional. The rigatoni noodles are so fresh and springy they could rival (and honestly beat) any I’ve had in Italy. The arancini were impossible to stop eating—crispy outside, creamy inside, perfectly seasoned. The farm egg dish was unlike anything else—rich, delicate, and wonderfully balanced. And the black rice remains just as bomb as before: umami-packed, savory, and deeply satisfying. This was one of the most elegant and well-balanced meals I’ve had in Michigan. Everything—from the presentation to the pacing—felt thoughtful, fresh, and celebratory. We started with a spread of appetizers: the black rice with cobia was deeply savory and beautifully textured, while the fritto misto was crisp and bright without being greasy. The yellowfin crudo was a standout—fresh, lightly sweet with strawberry and citrus, and plated with precision. The shaved Brussels sprout salad with pine nuts and feta brought a perfect crunch. For mains, the vongole angel hair was light, garlicky, and full of briny clam flavor, while the filet was cooked to perfection—tender, richly sauced, and deeply comforting. We shared the home fries with garlic aioli on the side, and I’d order them again just for the dipping sauce. To end, the baked Alaska was not only stunning with its torched meringue shell and birthday candle, but also balanced in sweetness and texture. The surprise of pistachio ice cream (I think?!) on the side was a lovely touch—creamy, lightly nutty, and refreshing. Service was warm and attentive without hovering. The ambiance feels elevated but never stuffy—just enough buzz in the room to feel lively. ✨ Pro tips: • Come hungry and plan to share. • Ask about the ice cream flavors—they’re not always listed but worth trying. • Perfect for a birthday or intimate group dinner.”
“We had an absolutely spectacular evening at Forest in Birmingham. The new fall menu has finally been released, and every dish we tried was outstanding — beautifully presented, creative, and packed with flavor. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in every detail, from appetizers to dessert. Our server, Lisa, could not have been better. She was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. She struck the perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness, which made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. Forest has truly raised the bar for dining in Birmingham. Between the elevated menu, stunning atmosphere, and impeccable service, this restaurant is a must-visit. We can’t wait to come back. What can I tell you this is probably my most favorite restaurant. Great service great team, not to mention a great chef also, but you just can’t beat any pasta recipe. Jamie was her server amazing everything was was delivered by team members as soon as it was finished.”
“The food and service were both good. We did pay $34 for maybe 12 pieces of gnocchi. But it overall it was a good experience. Loved the butternut agnolotti and baked alaska.”
735 Forest Ave #100, Birmingham, 48009, United States
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