There's Italian restaurants and then there's Italian restaurants
Al Forno is a genuine Italian restaurant with proper Italian staff and the food shows it
I've got an Italian wife and she only eats here around Kingston
Quite pricey but quality is good that you can look to part with some pounds
I had the pleasure of dining at Al Forno for lunch, and I must say it was a delightful culinary experience that left a lasting impression. From the moment we entered the establishment, we were greeted with warm hospitality, setting the stage for an enjoyable meal.
First and foremost, the menu at Al Forno offered a wide array of delectable options that catered to a variety of palates. The pricing was remarkably reasonable, making it accessible to a broad range of diners. It certainly left me eager to return and sample more of their enticing dishes.
The meal commenced with a pleasant start as we were presented with an appetizer of garlic oil that was nothing short of remarkable. The infusion of garlic into the oil provided a delightful burst of flavor that was both aromatic and delicious. It was a memorable beginning to our culinary journey.
Moving on to the beverages, I must emphasize that the coffee at Al Forno was an absolute standout. Its rich and robust flavor profile was a testament to the care and quality put into each cup. It served as a perfect complement to the forthcoming courses.
Now, onto the main course, the pizza we ordered was a true testament to the art of pizza-making. The crust was perfectly crisp, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. What truly elevated this pizza to excellence was the outstanding tomato sauce. Its balance of acidity, sweetness, and depth of flavor was simply exceptional. It showcased a level of culinary craftsmanship that is rare to find.
Another highlight of the meal was the calamari. Cooked to perfection, it was tender and crispy, served with a delectable dipping sauce that enhanced its overall appeal. It was a testament to the kitchen's dedication to maintaining high-quality standards.
However, as with any dining experience, there were minor areas of improvement to be noted. One such aspect was the volume of the music in the restaurant. While a vibrant atmosphere can add to the overall experience, the music was at times excessively loud, making conversation a bit challenging.
In conclusion, our lunch at Al Forno was a delightful culinary journey filled with memorable flavors and impeccable service. The reasonable pricing, exceptional garlic oil, outstanding coffee, and remarkable tomato sauce on the pizza all contributed to an enjoyable dining experience. Although minor adjustments in music volume could enhance the overall ambiance, it is clear that Al Forno has a lot to offer to both local diners and those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience. I eagerly look forward to returning to this establishment to explore more of their culinary treasures.
Lovely restaurant in the heart of New Malden. A Frank Sinatra tribute act was singing during our dinner service & he was really good. Knew how to get the crowd singing & dancing along. The food choices were so good, it was difficult to choose what to eat! I opted for the chilli prawns to start with lamb shank as a main. Both dishes were flavoursome & presented well.
I recently tried 'Tagliolini Nordic'. I don't know why the name is Nordic. So, while ordering the food, I was a bit confused.
There were pork and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. It was savoury as I think. If they offered more funghi options, it would be perfection!
BTW I'm thinking of revisiting here!
Always the best experience at this Al Forno! My partner and I came here for the first time last year and we’ve been coming back ever since. The pizzas are amazing, drinks are delicious and the starters are fantastic!!! The customer service is always so good, the owner is so lovely!
Came here for my birthday this evening, the food was great as usual the staff are super friendly the owner is such a great guy & we have booked for a night with Sinatra
Loved it, great wine selection, great food, great atmosphere, and definitely going back again 😋 😀 👌
We come here when we are in the area, a proper no-chain family Italian restaurant. Authentic Italian meat and fish dishes plus pizzas and pasta. Good wine list too.
Awesome find along New Malden High Street! Went for Sunday lunch and we loved all our dishes.
Great family-run Italian, that consistently makes very good dishes. We particularly like their friendly and attentive staff, who made our children feel very welcome.
First visit and definitely won't be my last. Risotto best I've had in ages. Service was good and staff were pleasant. I always enjoy Italian food and Al Forno did not disappoint.
I am writing this review having just eaten at the Al Forno restaurant in Wimbledon, an experience I will not be repeating. Having eaten at Al Forno in New Malden on and off for over 20 years, I have to say this restaurant never disapppoints. The staff are super polite and welcoming. The food has always been of a high quality and generously portioned. I could not recommend this restaurant highly enough. Having experienced poor service and quality of food elsewhere, I will in future stick to where I now know is best. Al Forno New Malden, I love you.
The best meal out I had in a looong time. The chicken was cooked amazingly, the sauce was out of this world and the potatoes were unbelievable. The whole thing was just perfect. I'm very fussy with food, but this place definitely exceeded my expectations. Good job to the chef and the owners. I'll come back any chance I get. Thank you !
This is one of my favourite Italian food spots in London! Great Service, Great food and they have live music every month, but it is in high demand so you may need to book well in advance! If you like red wine go for the primitivo.
Celebrated my 60th birthday with some friends here and we had a really nice time. It was a Saturday night so the restaurant was busy but somehow not too noisy which was great.
Although the service was slow, I must admit, it was very,very busy. The place was full, and people were waiting to be seated. A little bit loud for my liking, but you could still hear yourself. The food was fantastic, really tasty.
Book before you go.
Again another excellent meal. Have been here for years and is the only restaurant that never disappoints. Sunday lunch was awesome. Calamari starter cooked to perfection...veal milanese beautiful. ..chicken with mushrooms and spinach superb...kids pizza mmmmm...and prawn linguine fantastic...only disappointment was I saw a table next to us order the fillet steak and I wish I had ordered that as well....it was massive!!! I love this restaurant!!!!
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