LIFE

Heart-shaped pizzas a big hit in Maple Shade

Tammy Paolino
@CP_TammyPaolino
Chef Gelacio Morales and Lauren Echevarria, who work together at Forno, are thrilled with the response to Gelacio's hand crafted heart-shaped pizzas.

If you think the most romantic thing about a pizza is getting your husband to concede on your favorite topping instead of his preferred pepperoni, the folks at Forno Pizzeria & Grille want to show you just how amorous pizza can be.

No, it’s not oyster pizza — or pizza in Florence, alas.

But it is a whole lot better than a box of candy hearts.

Pizza chef Gelacio Morales began crafting heart-shaped pizzas for the Aldo Lamberti group restaurant in Maple Shade in 2009, as a fun way to mark the holiday. Those pies were simply decorative, and customers could do little more than snap photos.

Of course, they loved them.

Fast forward to 2016, and heart-shaped pizzas are just one shape Morales looks forward to creating for Forno customers. In fact, the cheesy (literally!) Valentines have become a tradition.

“He does them all by hand,’’ says Lauren Echevarria, assistant manager of the eatery, adding that Morales also likes to create shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day, pumpkins for Halloween, breast cancer awareness ribbons and even American flags.

Chef Gelacio Morales works on a heart-shaped pizza at the Forno Pizzeria and Grille in Maple Shade. The pies have become a Valentine's Day favorite.

Morales estimates he hand-carved about 150 heart-shaped pizzas last year. The pies are available to eat in or for delivery with all of the usual toppings. (The plain cheese pizza is $2 extra if you want the heart shape, and to-go orders must be ordered ahead).

On the day we visit, Morales has created a traditional cheese pie, a veggie pie topped with fresh broccoli, and a display-only pie heaped with rose petals. Staying within the spirit of the season, he’s also shaped the restaurant’s garlic knots into a fourth heart.

“It’s just a sense of creativity,’’ says Morales about what inspires him. He adds the restaurant needs extra staff on hand to keep up with demand. He says he gets too busy cutting and shaping to watch people react to the pies.

“Ever since I come here, I want to make pizza so bad. I started making something different for every holiday!’’

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend, the heart-shaped creations will be sold on both Saturday and Sunday this year.

Heart-shaped pizzas come with various toppings at Forno Pizzeria in Maple Shade.

So, has anyone ever popped the question over one of Morales’ romantic creations?

“Not yet,’’ says Echevarria, “but it still may happen.’’

Most romantic so far was one customer’s request to have the pizza delivered to his wife in Philadelphia, an area Forno does not ordinarily serve — but did in the spirit of the occasion. (“We will consider special requests in advance,’’ says Echevarria.)

Not all the pies are for lovers, of course.

“I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like pizza!’’ says Denise Earle, marketing director for Aldo Lamberti’s family of restaurants. “With kids, it can be hard to get out for a Valentine’s Day dinner.’’

“Kids love it, too,’’ says Echevarria. “It’s a sweet gesture. People are much more aware of how they spend their money these days. It’s practical — and it fills your belly!’’

A tomato and broccoli pie will steal some hearts at Forno.

If you go

Heart-shaped pizzas will be available Saturday and Sunday at Forno Pizzeria & Grille, 28 Church Road, Maple Shade. Plain pies are $14, plus tax and gratuity. Call ahead to ensure availability at (856) 608-7711. 

Forno Pizzeria & Grille recently introduced many new menu items including shrimp scampi, ahi tuna, short rib ravioli, fried Brussels sprouts, pork belly sandwiches and a short rib sandwich. Visit FornoPizzeria.com.