Al Forno Restaurant
| Address: | 577 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903, USA |
| Phone: | +1 401-273-9760 |
| Site: | alforno.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | Closed 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 4–10PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
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Justin Kemp
Ok so last night my wife and I went to Al Forno for our 1 year wedding anniversary and we could not make reservations so we just went there. When we got there we had asked if we could have table for 2 and they said we have 1 table available and you will have to be done within 1 hour because it was reserved for another party. Now I am saying to myself I thought they did not take reservations for parties less that 6. This table was off on its own and only sat 4 people max. Anyhow the point is that they put us at a table that was referred to as the CHEFS table. What a joke! Boy were they right about that. The table was basically the worst table in the place because it was in the kitchen. We felt like we were total outcasts and we should have started to help the waiters out by taking orders out to tables. I eat out 320 days out of the year and I am very familiar with fine dinning and this place was one of the worst experiences weve ever had in our life. Note to the owner: Dont try to increase the seating capacity by putting your customers in the kitchen at the "chefs table" on the second floor because it is just very bad for business. My wife and I will never go there again and we will never suggest anyone else to go there either.
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A Private User
I am not sure where to begin... My husband and I went to Italy on our honeymoon. The food was beyond delicious. The pasta was fresh and always aldente, the sauces were always packed with flavor and the vegetables were crisp. Since having visited, we have never been impressed with any Italian restaurant... that is until having come here. We dined with another couple and they were just as blown away. Our dining experience started with a super friendly waiter. He suggested a few of his favorite things and we ordered away. We started with the pizza and it was exquisite. Then the PASTA- OOOMMMMGGGGG!!!! I honestly paid more attention to the descriptions and ingredients than the names.. Both were shells one had lots of different cheeses and the other had pumpkin. They were both ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!! For dessert we shared a brownie ices cream sandwich and an apple tart. Both were sublime. I cannot say enough about how wonderful a dinner we had. It was a dream come true for this mother of two who used to fine dine every weekend and now fine dines on rare occasion. Five stars all the way!
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A Private User
Over-rated and overpriced. This is a good restaurant, but hardly a great one. The location is nice and the room is pleasant, but prepare yourself for food that is overly-laden with fat. Butter and olive oil are fine in moderation; they shouldnt necessarily be oozing from every dish. This excessive reliance on fat makes can make dining a slog and leave you feeling uncomfortable the day after. Watch out for servers descriptions of specials: they recite everything from memory--and do the same with orders. That may seem a feat, but dont be surprised if they forget some key ingredients that colors your dining experience. Even the written descriptions leave something to be desired when it comes to accuracy. Things arent always as stated. Sadly, they arent always as good as you would expect at these prices, witness the soggy pizza we had and the hand-churned ice cream that was neither smooth nor flavored in accordance with the menu. Prices are over-the-top by most measures. You should be able to eat as well, if not better, for two-thirds of what youll spend here.
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A Private User
Terrible service. Mediocre food. Incompetent, arrogant, condescending waiter. Had to ask for bread. One member of our dining party received her meal after all others had finished theirs. Two meat orders had to be turned back for insufficient cooking. As a result, 2 members of our dining party never ate anything. Www were subsequently charged forfood that we had ordered but never received. The great reputation that this restaurant has is a myth. If this is the bestmRhode Island had to offer, I cannot imagine what future dining experiences in this state might be. The total experience was disastrous, and the management seemed NOT particularly concerned, or willing to rwdeem itself for this dining party in any way. Our experience was one of the worst. If this is Rhode Islands best, I dont look forward to dining anywhere else in this state. On a scale of. 1-10 with ten being the highest, Id give Al Forno.s a negative 3 and I do NOT recommend it to anyone. Their reputation for fine dining is a myth.
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Stephen Bradley
Very good food, prices to match. The menu is small and focused, the food is fresh and delicious. The prices reflect both the popularity of Al Forno, and the level of food and service. This place is a local legend and is very, very busy. Like, "90-120 minute wait" busy. They do NOT take reservations except for parties of 6+, but you can call ahead and get on the seating queue. Contrary to some of the reviews I read online, the staff was very friendly and warm. So were the customers seated next us; the tables are pretty close together, making it easy to interact with strangers if you choose (but harder to have a completely private conversation, if that matters to you). Al Forno loses a single star for not taking reservations. With the total bill for two people coming to about $150 (with wine and dessert), and considering the potentially crazy wait times for the privilege of paying that bill, its time to start accepting reservations.
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Meaghan Ladd
Headed to Providence with our college-bound child last weekend. Had been advised to make Al Forno a top priority so attempted to make our way there on a very rainy, heavily trafficked Friday evening and got hopelessly lost after being misdirected by the Concierge at our hotel. Called Al Forno,because even our GPS/iphones were confused,and not only did they patiently direct us to their amazing restaurant,but they held a table for us,as well. Marie,from Al Forno,literally stayed on the line with us on a busy Friday evening until we got our bearings. Unbelievable. We finally arrived to enjoy a charming, relaxed restaurant, gracious staff and absolutely delicious food. And despite huge turnover,we were never rushed;a combination that is next to impossible to find. Thrilled that we can become "regulars" over the next 4 years!
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Art vandaley
Used to be very good years ago but now it feels like a tourist trap. Sometimes there are very long waits, they like to sell drinks, the staff kind of have that they are doing you a favor attitude. They are now kind of infamous for not taking dishes off the bill if you send them back, even if its totally their fault. Food is expensive, 25 bucks for a real little pizza (super thin but does not cover a dinner plate) and sometimes little choice of type too. You dont want a Pumpkin pizza? Too bad if that is what they got! Good meal if your business is paying for it.... Otherwise you can do better, certainly for the price you can do better. They did inspire to recreate their pizza on my grill though. Cost me about 3-4 bucks using fresh local mozzarella and sauce I bottle made with fresh local farm plum tomatoes.
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K Holce
When our waiter, John, touted the place as "the birthplace of the grilled pizza," it sounded a little gimmicky, but we were intrigued by the house made pepperoni, so we ordered it. It was delicious - crispy, saucy, cheesy and covered with flavorful thinly sliced pepperoni! I followed it with the lamb lasagna special - a slightly deconstructed version with loads of ricotta and several moist, well-seasoned lamb meatballs. The hubby ordered the veal wrapped in prosciutto, which was tender, drizzled with a wine reduction, and served with layered potatoes. To finish we shared the apple crisp. The crispy, sugary exterior surrounded thinly sliced, tender apples with just the right blend of sweet and tart. We would drive the 90 minutes from home just to come here again!!
