Al Fresca Ristorante

Reviews 4

TE

Terrie Marr

AWRFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE POOR OWNERSHIP I spoke to the owner Erika a year in advance to reserve a portion of the back room for my daughter’s rehearsal dinner. I had been researching other restaurants but while I was there I decided to look at the back room since there was a rehearsal dinner going on at that time. The tables were set up in a square shape so all the guests could see each other and converse. I decided this would work. I placed the $100 deposit a year in advance. A week prior I had to email Erika since she had not sent me the official rehearsal dinner menu which the small choices off the menu the bride and groom had chosen and the final count of 28 guests. Finally, she sent it to me after a few more conversations initiated by me to get them. The night of the rehearsal dinner the bridal party and their guests arrived before myself and my husband. Once I arrived I was stunned that the tables were arranged in a different format as I had stated to Erika and seen. The tables were in a u shape and I and my husband were facing a wall and with one person in front of us and the bride and groom were on separate ends of the u. AWFUL! The waitress said that Erika was not in and that no one said to arrange them any way. I asked to speak to a manager and she directed me to the owner who was the chef and he came out of the kitchen. I told him this is not the way I arranged it with Erika and he said, "well it looks like they are all having a good time", I asked him to please arrange the tables the way we discussed with his wife Erika and he pretty much refused. I finally had to insist and he got very upset with me. I also suggested that he offer the people who were drinking a drink on the house since they would have to move and wait for the tables to be arranged the reserved way. He flat out said NO! at this point I started to walk away and said ok then please change them. Everyone had to get up so the waitresses could fix the tables. NEXT the nightmare continued. I also arranged with Erika via email that we would be responsible for all the appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts but the everyone was responsible for their own liquor. As I started to eat my appetizers and salads I asked for my first drink and notice that the waitress did not ask me for my credit card or cash so my husband asked how they were keeping track of everyones liquor tabs and she replied, "oh I was told you were taking care of it". I about fell off my chair. My husband told her that we were not responsible for the liquor and she said that she asked someone in the party and they said the bride’s parents were paying for it. I was fuming because the bill was over $430.00 at this time. I told the waitress we were not paying it and she said, "well how am I going to find out who drank what and who owes what”? I paid the bill and the liquor bill BUT send an email to Erika for which she said, "when can you come into the restaurant so we can discuss what happened?" I said that I would not be able to travel 30 minutes to them when they should be calling me. Days went by and one afternoon the owner (chef) called me and was very arrogant and indignant to me. I was only until my husband spoke on the phone that he changed his tone. He told me that yes, I did tell Erika that I was not responsible for the liquor bill but that it was my responsibility to get the money from my guests to pay for the liquor tab! I should have known this. Are you kidding me! This isn’t our first meal with a large group and never has it been decided for me on getting the money for the liquor bill. There were so many things wrong with this place!! I guess if you dont mind being treated like you’re not needed and that the customer is always WRONG then you’ll like this place! I could have gone anywhere for my daughter’s rehearsal dinner but boy do I REGRET picking this UNPROFESSIONAL PLACE. I have owned my own service business for over 16 years successfully because no matter what the CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT OR YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN BUSINESS!!

FR

Frank Serafini

I Had lunch there today, bread was very fresh, sausage pepper and onion sandwich and "homemade meatball" sandwich, both with hand cut fresh potato French fries, which were very good. The problem I had was the main ingredient portions in the sandwiches. The seeded rolls were fresh and large and neither of us needed that much bread, not their problem, but we both took the top of the bread off to eat open faced with a fork. That is when we discovered the portions. The sausage sandwich was just that, one sausage, sliced the long way, in thirds. The three pieces fit on one side of the cut in half roll, but, a good portion of peppers and onions to hide them. There were three slightly smaller than golf ball meatballs on the other sandwich, plenty of sauce to cover them. Very soggy, not my "home made". So I commented to the waitress about the portions, "I dont know, I didnt make them, Ill ask the cook" was her response. She came back with the check, came back for payment, returned the card and said, "thank you, come again". I think not. She offered no word from the cook. Glad I only got taken for $30.00. All she had to do was offer an explanation or an "Im sorry". Now I will not give a second chance or an endorsement.

NI

Nikos Lipsanopoulos

I noticed some people in their reviews comparing this place to Italian restaurants in the North End. Please dont do that you are giving the North End restaurants a bad reputation. This place doesnt even come close to North End quality and authenticity!!! I ordered the fetuccini Alfredo with chicken. You would think simple right? Fetuccini was way over cooked and overwhelmed with way to much Alfredo sauce from the jar (definitely not home made I know what home made Alfredo sauce tastes like). In addition they dont make pizzas! What Italian restaurant doesnt make pizza? Anyways I am new to the neighborhood and am looking for good places to eat. Definitely will not be going back to this place. They obviously have no idea what real authentic Italian food tastes like. I mean if you cant get fetuccini Alfredo right....and its so simple to cook fetuccini and make homade Alfredo sauce...the only good thing was the Parmesan cheese they graded on my aek feel dish. That gave it a little taste.

DA

Dana DiMarco

From the tasty glass of Mondavi Cabernet to the Pollo Farfalle, every aspect of this meal was fantastic. I was greeted immediately upon walking in. I found a comfortable seat at the bar & soon found myself in the gracious hands of Lauren. I travel for work 3-4 days/week so a good meal goes a long way with me but fabulous service is what makes a restaurant experience memorable. It was an absolute pleasure to carry on in conversation with Lauren as she whizzed around the bar. It was obvious that this is a locals home away from home when its time to watch the Sox & eat exceptional Italian food. Overall, Im certain Ill visit again & hopefully have enough room for dessert next time. Kudos to Al Frescas back of the house for a great meal & thank you Lauren for making a stranger feel at home!