- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Al Forno Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
577 S Main StProvidence, RI 02903
Neighborhood: Fox Point
(401) 273-9760
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 5 pm - 10 pm
Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
156 reviews for Al Forno Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"We shared a wood grilled pizza appetizer." In 22 reviews -
"I had the "Dirty" Steak special - perfectly cooked..." In 17 reviews
-
"But the biggest shocker was the cinnamon ice cream sandwich." In 3 reviews
Loading...
156 reviews in English
-
Review from Jason S.
Boston, MA
4/16/2012
I love you Al Forno! Thank you.
My wife and I come to this restaurant every three months or so. It is on the expensive side if you add in desert and drinks, but worth it!
I have tried the dirty steak which you will find a lot of reviews on. It is not my favorite, but it was pretty good.
We absolutely love to start with the margarita pizza. Then move onto the five cheese pasta dish. They've made it with squash, asparagus, but the best is with the corn during the summer months!
We've been told on previous visits they get all their veggies from a local farm. It is a great experience. Just make sure you get their early because their is a line for a reason. It is yummy!
Enjoy!!!
ps. get the blueberry tart when in season! YAY -
Review from Laura B.
Fall River, MA
5/20/2012
I'm still mad at myself for being unaware that Al Forno existed until just two months ago. My husband and I have dined here twice since having it recommended to us and each time it's been fantastic. Taking the advice of Yelpers who've dined here before, both times we ate here we ordered a pizza (margarita and spicy) and a dessert (pear tartlet and the cranberry shortcake). The pizza is super thin, slightly charred and covered in a layer of oil but in no way is it burnt or greasy. While I'm not sure it belongs on the "best in the country" lists that critics have placed it on, their pizza is like nothing else I've eaten in Rhode Island before- even the pizzerias on Federal Hill don't make pies as delicious as Al Forno does.
It's also worth noting, contrary to the experiences of other diners on Yelp, my husband and I have dined twice on Saturday nights and been seated immediately. When we came in last night there were a few large parties waited to be seated who had made reservations but since there were only two of us we got a nice little table with a window into the kitchen right away. I will happily eat at Al Forno again, and the only reason I haven't given it a full five stars is because of the pricing of the wine and appetizers/salads- both have a tremendous mark-up compared to local restaurants offering the same for less. -
Review from Sohini R.
Updated - 4/18/2012 1 photo
We had a friend in town and were very excited to take her to Al Forno. We arrived on a Tuesday evening to a lovely bustling crowd. The food was delicious, but we left frustrated.
I tend to lean toward veggie options, but am omnivorous; one of my dining companions does not eat meat. What left us frustrated is how many "signature dishes" Al Forno has that can't be altered. One salad has a vinaigrette that involves bacon and we asked for the dressing on the side and were told the dressing could only be put on the side for one salad on the menu. What?! Although our waitress assured us everything was made to order, the lack of accommodation annoyed me and made me equate Al Forno's salad with pre-mixed salads I might find at a cafeteria.
After experiencing the same explanation for a couple more dishes, we were then reminded we had to place our dessert orders with the entree because they are made to order as well. Our friend almost lost it. Granted, she was jet-lagged from a flight from Britain, but I felt embarrassed for Al Forno as well.
The food was very good - I enjoyed the lightness of the rib-eye meatballs, and the lavender panna cotta was perfectly executed.
I never thought having things made to order would feel so tyrannical. I didn't anticipate downgrading my previous review, but my conclusion about Al Forno is that the food is lovely, but something about the service/philosophy makes me annoyed. To put it bluntly, I left feeling like Al Forno deigned to let me eat there. Not ideal.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/4/2012 ROTD 4/4/2012
After a foiled attempt to eat at Al Forno soon after Christmas (45 minute wait and the bar is full?!… Read more »
-
-
Review from Rob M.
4/14/2012
Al Forno is not a pizza place. But the best advice I can give is to order off the pizza menu here. Since Al Forno is such a nice restaurant, people naturally feel uncomfortable doing so. My suggestion is to get over it.
Whenever I have dinner here, I order one of the grilled pizzas and whoever I am with does not. Inevitably, my dining companion and I trade bites. Without fail, we always conclude that the pizza is better than anything else on the menu. Resembling an artist's palette, the pizzas even look better than anything else on the menu, too.
It never would have occurred to me to order pizza at such a nice restaurant, but for critic Alan Richman's glowing review. He ranked Al Forno number 18 on his list of the best pizza in the United States.
Order the grilled pizza with roasted eggplant. I have also enjoyed the calamari pizza. -
Review from Denise T.
Riverside, RI
5/9/2012
Perfection!
-
Review from J B.
Kauai County, HI
5/7/2012
4 stars for the food! 1 star for the service and pompous attitudes of the staff. My girlfriend and I thought it would be an ideal place to celebrate and instead it turns out that this pretentious place is full of Providences elite and snobby and I am not talking about the guests. Too bad this review is about the staff instead of the food - which was terrific but expensive.
-
Review from Andrew A.
Wakefield, RI
4/28/2012
Went there based on recommendation of a friend, the Pizza was truly amazing and the Ice Cream Sandwich was to die for. The bartender also made a bloody good Manhattan. It's a bit on the pricey side but for food like this it was well worth the price. You get what you pay for. Some of the other dishes looked fantastic and I look forward to going back. Make sure you look at the dessert menu as you have to order the dessert when you order your main food, it's made to order for each individual customer!
-
Review from David C.
Manassas, VA
3/30/2012
I came to Rhode Island this past week for a difficult family situation. I was accompanied by two of my aunts to help with my task. At the end of a trying day, nerves frazzled, I made an executive decision. There would be no dinner of bellybusters and coffee milk. To Al Forno we did drive. It was still early, so we were seated promptly. For appetizers we ordered local oysters on 1/2 shell,and mussels with frites, along with some good Belgium beer. For our entrees, we had braised beef rib ravioli,and a side dish of roasted Brussels sprouts.The outstanding food is accompanied by outstanding service, which I would categorize as formal with a casual backbeat. The waitstaff make it a point of pride to know the menu, the origin of the ingredients, but they're not in your face about it. A nice end to a difficult day.
-
Review from Joseph X.
Resevoir, Providence, RI
4/13/2012
A la carte a la expensive I got the pork it was so raw it looked like pork tartare but it is a nice place
-
Review from Steven A.
Warwick, RI
1/20/2012
I've resisted writing a review on Al Forno because, as of this moment they have 144 reviews up on Yelp and most are 4 and 5 stars. So, it seems to me that the last thing the world needs in another rave about this long standing Providence superstar.
Yet, I am compelled. You see, I've just returned from the road. I have been cursed with a professional life style which requires me to attend several trade shows in the January/February time frame. As I write this, I am home from two weeks in New York, Atlanta and Dallas only long enough to do my laundry and hit the road again.
I have learned the insiders' track for most of the towns I land in and feel qualified to critique. Whether you are entertaining clients or just trying to let loose, you find the right spots, even in cultural wastelands such as Atlanta. Mind you, these are fine cities. Each has their culinary traditions and claims to fame. Who among us, with sanity, would knock the restaurant scene in NYC or argue the merits of a great cut of beef in Big D?
So, when I visited AF earlier this week it was with perspective.. and I can say that it remains not only my favorite spot in Providence but my perennial "topper" when arguing the merits of our fair city with the unenlightened in far away places.
There is a consistency of excellence which underscores the entire experience at AF. What makes it most remarkable is how they continue to deliver at the same high level they have since day one. There is a comfortable elegance without pretense in the air. An attentive, intelligent staff makes me feel appreciated. I can pronounce everything on the menu. And when my meal arrives, I know the kitchen staff was smiling when they plated it. My considerably high expectations are always met or exceeded by the mood, the brood and the food.
Family take note. While on my death bed, you may ease my suffering by delivering my last meal from Al Forno. Whether by solid or intravenous means, I can't imagine a better base with which to enter the light. And if there is a God, I hope he'll be standing by a big, hardwood grill upon which sits a Dirty Steak just for me. -
Review from Brad P.
12/13/2011
Al Forno gave me a seasonal pumpkin pizza and it ruled. They didn't slice it for me, which is fine because I like to cut my pizza slices into rhomboids and silhouettes of celebrities.
This is serious pizza. There are other things on the menu but they are all outshined by this pizza. -
Review from Simon O.
Providence, RI
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
My wife (being the best wife that there is) took me to Al Forno for my birthday this week. I've been excited to go since we have lived in Providence, but intensely long waits or large groups have always sent us elsewhere. This visit, however, the stars aligned and we were seated immediately (!).
The setting was excellent: clean and interesting without being distracting. If you wanted to look at the walls there were neat details to look at, but it was put together in such a way that your attention wasn't called away from your fellow guests or your plate.
We split a pair of small plates (cod fritters and the cured meats plate) and, as recommended by my fellow Yelpsters, one of their grilled pizzas. The cod fritters with smashed avocado were really outstanding (plus a bonus sauce: aioli?) - fresh, interesting textures, a nice play on the classic New England 'fry something from the ocean' tradition. The salami plate was a little strange in its presentation - layers of cured meats flat on a plate, with some olive oil across the top - but it was delicious, so you can forgive a strange plating.
Much has been said of the grilled pizzas: ours was as good as everyone else's, they really shine with this dish, and I wouldn't hesitate to order it again.
We also dove into a pear and walnut tart for dessert: it was huge, we still have some in the fridge. It is still delicious, three days later. You have to be decisive, ordering dessert at the beginning, but go for it.
The service is the kind of service you have to think about before you can comment on it - that is, present and helpful but not obtrusive and thus not memorable. Exactly what good service looks like.
We'll be back! -
Review from Justin S.
2/3/2012
Al Forno was already venerated in my dining universe before I even came near it. Disciples preached the wonder that is Al Forno to me whenever I was in earshot (or almost that frequently). I repeatedly heard about the fantastic flatbread pizzas, the creative entrees and the elegant atmosphere. Seriously, people who I heard I am a (somewhat) frequent visitor to Providence couldn't control themselves and virtually instructed me to run there as soon as possible. With that, I came to Al Forno expecting the best. That isn't what I experienced, but it was still a good experience overall.
First, expect a (long) wait. We came in around 7pm on a recent Saturday night and put our names in for a table of four. We were told the wait would be about two hours and were ushered upstairs to the bar area to wait for our table, and wait (and wait, and wait) we did. During our wait, we ordered a round of martinis from the bar which was a veritable Waterloo. The bartender was, to put it lightly, inept. He severely botched our simple cocktail order on the first round, but got it right on the second. The attitude I received from the bartender would be cute if this were Moe's Tavern, but it isn't, and at that rate I could stand in Kennedy Plaza with a $3 forty from 7-Eleven and be treated more civilly by vagrants. Stop acting like I'm asking you to walk to Spain to get olives when I request proper garnish in my cocktail. In any case, our martinis kept us occupied to pass the time while we waited... For two-and-a-half hours.
We were finally seated in the downstairs dining room around 9:30pm, and by that time we were all starving. Barring our unfortunate encounter with the bartender, I found service at Al Forno to be exceptional. Our server came over to take our orders and to introduce the specials. We ordered a flatbread pizza to start, and I had the spicy Italian sausage with mashed potato entrée. My sister had orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe in tomato cream sauce, and our friends had the dirty steak (special), and the Italian sausage and pork chop entrée. All of our food was good, though someone in the kitchen has a heavy hand with sauce, and my sausage/potato entrée was literally drowning in whatever brown gravy they top the dish with. Other than that, the presentation is beautiful, and the portions are surprisingly generous (I noted many other diners taking doggie bags home). For dessert, we ordered the chocolate bread pudding and a pear-almond tart special, with ice cream, all of which was great (and again, large portions). Overall, the cooking is enjoyable, though not ground breaking - And I'm still sold on Bob & Timmy's for flatbread pizza (Oops, did I say that out loud?).
The dining room is beautifully decorated, well-lit and not too noisy or crowded, which lends itself to conversation well. To conclude, the reason I don't consider Al Forno to be a superlative restaurant (in contrast with that of so many people who recommended this place to me) are the detractors that marred my experience here. The aforementioned tribulations, the above-average-but-not-mind-blowing-food, and what I would consider to be a very high price point don't necessarily add up to a place I'd gladly wait two-and-a-half hours for again. I have dined in many other Providence restaurants and can say that this is high among the best in town. With that, Al Forno is worth recommending for what ended up still being a good experience, but beware the caveats which befall the experience here. -
Review from Mary P.
Providence, RI
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
i ate here on a rainy fall evening and was initially welcomed by a valet gent who rushed out with an umbrella as i dashed in from the rain... thoughtful (and attentive) indeed..!
we did not have a reservation, but were able to fit right into a charming upstairs table with a sweet view of the river.. my dining companion and i opted to share a smorgasbord of items over having individual meals... a delightful way to experience some choice dishes..
i was most intrigued by the proposal that the kitchen would individually hand craft my dessert... which must be ordered in advance of the meal... not one to frequently order dessert, the personal touch definitely inspired me to do so.! AND they offered one of my favorites, a simple pear tart...
our waiter encouraged us to consider sharing pizza, 'a popular diner's choice'... ever eschewing the 'popular' route, this of course lead me away from such an item... (i grin)... instead we opted for the bruschetta, a refreshing arugula & avocado salad, a scallop entree, and a side dish of brussels sprouts... the perfect blend of items...
each item was well prepared & perfectly served... an avid fan of arugula, i was hoping for a bit more flavor in the salad... although the horseradish did offer a nice punch... the scallop dish is not currently on the menu, so i've forgotten the specific preparation (writing this several months later)... i DEFINITELY remember that they were plump and delicious... and well complimented by the brussels sprouts...
our server was friendly & attentive... and not too concerned that we lingered a long while over each dish... remaining in our seats as clean up had begun..(!!) this was primarily due to the delightful elegance of our shared pear tart... with fresh cream... flaky crust and all... worth the wait...
i shall definitely make a return trip... especially if they ever offer a flourless chocolate torte... (wink) -
Review from Diane S.
Providence, RI
12/3/2011
I haven't been to every restaurant in Rhode Island, but this must be one of the best in the entire state (certainly top 2 of any restaurant I've been to in RI).
We ordered a Margherita pizza to start, and it was so delicious. I was reluctant to order the baked pasta with tomato sauce because I feared it would be too simple, but it was phenomenal. It was served very hot and had a gooey/crispy factor that only improved upon cooling down. My companions had bacon wrapped rabbit stuffed with dates, gnocchi with sausage, and spaghetti arrabiata with clams, and they were all delicious, especially the rabbit.
We had the chocolate bread pudding for dessert and it was out of this world.
It is really hard to describe how great the food here really is. The majority of the ingredients are locally sourced. The drinks are expensive but VERY strong.
When we arrived, the wait for 4 was 2 hours (we were seated within 1 hour, however). The only negative was a bit of an attitude problem from the upstairs bartender (they inexplicably do not have Johnnie Walker blue label, which is surprising for such a high end place), but the waiter was excellent and very attentive.
This place is worth the expense and worth the wait. -
Review from Sandy D.
Salem, NH
9/7/2011
While my husband and I were in the Providence area, we thought we would check out the restaurant Al Forno. We had seen their menu online, but didn't see any prices, so we thought we'd check it out.
We arrived around 6 pm on a Saturday and walked in the garden area. There didn't seem to be anyone greeting people so we kind of wandered around, feeling like idiots and finally found a gentleman standing in a hallway behind a closed door. I asked if the way we came in was the wrong way, and he said no. I felt like I went through a corn maze to find someone to ask for a lousy menu. He gave us the menu, and at the same time said "you know the wait is 2 hours". Wow, was that a snooty response! Well, that was good to know, but we had already eaten an excellent meal, and just wanted to check the menu and facilities out.
While we were looking at the menu, I looked through and adjoining window to what appeared to be one of their dining rooms, which looked like a long narrow room with long tables, like something in a cafeteria.
I can't review this place for food because we would never wait for 2 hours to eat, and then according to the posts I've been reading, be given a time limit to eat, especially after waiting 2 hours to get in. Who would ever order dessert at the same time they're ordering their appetizers and entrees?
We go out to relax and enjoy really good food. Based on my first impression, the only thing this place would give me is a headache. Anyone got any Excedrin? -
Review from Ettya F.
9/7/2011
You know what I love about Al Forno?
The Grilled Pizza Margarita.
And the only way to describe it is from the top down:
The top drizzling of olive oil lends a nice, richness to the pizza in both flavor and color.
The duo of cheeses is just enough to barely coat the pomodoro. The slightly, sharp, saltiness of one cheese melts into the creamy, succulent, softness of the other. These cheeses coat a subtly acidic, slightly sweet pomodoro, with hints of basil, thyme and rosemary.
And the crust is perfectly grilled with a subtle woodsy flavor and a slight crunch in all the right places. Golden in color and smooth in texture, this crust is the best you will ever experience. The edges are crisp, and though it is thin, there is enough crust to hold the toppings without letting them slop over the sides, somehow maintaining its texture even in the middle of the pizza.Listed in: FYI: How to Make Some Fall in…
-
Review from Kay R.
7/23/2011 ROTD 10/1/2011
Al Forno's is a Providence institution. This is a phenomenal restaurant that marches to the beat of its own drummer: so come with an open mind.
One: no reservations. Walk in, maybe you'll wait, maybe you won't (yeah, you probably will). Be prepared to saunter up to one of their bars (indoor and outdoor) and spend some time relaxing with your companions over a cocktail or two. This is an all-evening meal, not a 'before the 8pm performance' dinner.
Two: the staff is really young. "Don't you have your PSATs to study for?" young. Not the entire staff, but a large enough proportion to make me question if Al Forno's offers a boarding school for those wanting to to get into the culinary biz. Don't get me wrong - these guys are still great, but they are somewhat lacking in experience which can cause a few wrinkles now and again in the flow of your meal.
Three: get dessert. It must be ordered with your meal- but pace yourself through the mandatory grilled pizza and whatever else your little heart desires; portion off your entree for left overs if you must, but get dessert!
Four: go more than once and always try something different. On this week's visit I ordered the pappardelle with rabbit. Definitely fresh, homemade ribbons with eye-rolling sauce and flavor. We split two desserts between 5, and it was the perfect end.
Five: in the summer, sit outside if you can. Gem of al fresco Providence at Al Forno!Listed in: Fantasy Draft... Food!, ROTDay-Away!
-
Review from Donisha L.
Middletown, RI
1/15/2012
A friend invited me to come along and I am glad I did. She made a reservation for 6 because if you try to walk in with a party of 5 and under you are looking at a 2 hr wait. There isn't really a hostess so don't be surprised if you walk in and there is a full lobby of clueless people (BTW the lobby is REALLY small). Just wait until one of servers/hostesses comes by to confirm you or your party are present. *ADVICE* TRY TO GO WITH A PARTY OF 6 OR MORE, IT'S LESS OF A WAIT AND PORTIONS ARE HUGE SO YOU CAN SHARE.
The vibe in the restaurant was mixed. It was upscale but I saw a lot of families. I wore a mini dress but I saw people in jeans. To be safe you can never go wrong with business casual.
After our party of 6 was seated 30 minutes late, the host gave us a free appetizer pizza for the inconvenience. I am not sure what kind of pizza it was but is was delicious! We all decided to order different meals and share and I am so glad we did. The portions were huge and all 6 of us were able to try something new. One friend ordered the rabbit with dates, it's a little on the sweet side but delicious. It's decedent, so although you only get four, it's more than enough. Another friend ordered the scallops. They were fresh, flavorful, and huge. They also have a special called the "dirty steak" and I don't think I have had a steak so delish it melts in your mouth. I ordered the pasta with tomato, cream and five cheeses. It's such a simple pasta dish, creamy, cheesy, and not in the mac and cheese kind of way. It's a little heavy but worth it. I am eating leftovers as I type this (it's even better the second day).
It is advised to order dessert when you order dinner because everything is made fresh. Whatever you do, ORDER DESSERT! We ordered the cookie platter, chocolate bread pudding, and coconut cookie sandwich although the "cookie" was actually a brownie. I don't know how they made cookies so high end but it is. The assortment of cookie were warm, soft and flavorful. The platter also came with candied citrus and I was in love at first bite. The bread pudding is dark chocolatey goodness, warm, soft and huge. I only had a bite of the ice cream and it was different, i love coconut but i really couldn't taste too much of it.
I don't consider Rhode Island a big player on the food scene but after dining at Al Forno it makes me excited to see what else Providence has to offer. -
Review from Stephanie P.
Central Falls, RI
Yes, yes, yes! This is the place if you want a nice meal with a quiet, charming atmosphere. Let me say, when you go- be ready to spend some time and cash! Not because the service is slow or the food is expensive, but because you will want to savor everything that is brought to your table- AND you should try to order as many menu items as you can afford to eat! Everything here is amazing!
When my husband and I go, we plan to spend a nice evening and a pretty penny. If they have the zucchini flowers- you MUST get them! They are stuffed with a lemon-mint ricotta that is out of this world. The clams alforno are the next thing to order- simply delicious! We always order a pizza too! Don't worry about it, you WILL eat it all! It is the lightest, most decadent pizza I've ever had.
Typically we will order the dirty steak and a pasta as our entree- every pasta is good, but the dirty steak is great! To finish off our gluttony, we order whatever specialty tarte they are making in house that night. You should order your desert early because they make them to order. One night (in the summer) we had the specialty tarte that was an heirloom tomato tarte and tasted like pineapple. To this day, it is the best desert I have EVER eaten! -
Review from Kel S.
1/17/2012
Where have you been all my life Al Forno? Well, I had heard the reviews, but did not expect the experience we had! We had the pear and endive salad, margherita pizza, and a cosmo and french martini which were made by our amazing bartender, Leigh! The atmosphere was lovely - marble bar, chabby chic chandeliers... just a perfect little spot. I will look forward to going back!
-
Review from Mitch K.
6/5/2011
Ate at Al Forno for the first time (even though I have lived in the RI-area for over 30 years!) and I plan to make this a regular special-event place to go. It was wonderful all around, the calamari pizza appetizer was to die for, my delmonico steak house special was delicious (only served medium rare, the way it should be), and my rhubarb upside-down dessert was top notch. The waitress received a little more than 20% as she was so knowledgeable about the menu...her personality was understated but she was excellent.
For those complaining about the wait, get a group of six and you can make a reservation. Ours was at 5pm and I was told that we needed to be out by 7pm as they had a time-limit in effect this weekend, but we never felt rushed and left our table around 7:15pm (sure enough, we saw the next group of six patiently waiting for our table).
Bravo! -
Review from Penny M.
Updated - 8/17/2011
O.K. - we just HAD to go back ....we actually spent the afternoon at the Culinary Arts Museum (at Johnson and Wales - a WONDERFUL way to spend an afternoon!) and headed to Al Forno after. Thankfully, we arrived about 5 minutes before 5:00 (opening time) - by 5:45 the parking lot was packed and people were waiting for tables and this was on a Tuesday evening..... (get the hint?)
You MUST, MUST try the ricotta stuffed, fried zucchini blossoms - I must say that I have been very privileged to dine in many spectacular establishments over my lifetime - but I have NEVER tasted anything as delicate, flavorful and satisfying as this dish..... My husband, who was "poo-pooing" my choice of appetizer recanted his criticism the moment he tasted my dish (tee-hee!)
As before, service was impeccable, food was perfection in taste and presentation......I only wish we didn't have to drive 2 hours to get here....but we'll be back and very, very soon! :-)1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/13/2011
As we begin our tour of colleges with our teenage son, we have vowed to discover a new restaurant in… Read more »
-
-
Review from Bill H.
San Jose, CA
4/30/2011
Terrible experience today. Al Forno
needs a new 'seating host'.
Arrived from out of town - party of three to visit this fabled restaurant (guests from California and Arizona).
Upon arrival at 4:50, the host announced a one hour wait time. We merrily went to the bar. After one hour, we returned and inquired about the table. Host was very rude, said "didn't I tell you it was an hour", and we went back to waiting. After another 20 minutes we inquired again, but noticed our name was already crossed out on the waiting list. He said we would be next. After another fifteen minutes, we noticed that he had "uncrossed out" our name, and had called in the manager, who ordered us a thin crust pizza (which we shared with a very hungry guest waiting for her 70th birthday dinner). After another ten minutes the sat us at the BAR!!! At that point we were late for our next event, and had a salad, 6 raw oysters and some garlic bruschetta. Two hours 30 min later and a pathetic meal.
The topper of the event was that the seating host told us "oh my co host accidentally cross you off the list". Rather than apologize for us inquiring about his mistake and being rude once, ignorant once and incompetent once, he threw his fellow worker under the bus.
I suspect the food is really good here. But we didn't have luck getting past the troll under the bridge. -
Review from Mike E.
Chevy Chase, MD
2/9/2012
We just ate here last weekend, and were utterly impressed by this restaurant. From start to finish, everything was pitch-perfect. Granted, it was one of a handful of meals my wife and I have had without our kids in tow, but then again, we wouldn't have come here with them.
We ate there on a Saturday night, and got there pretty close to five after a long day exploring Providence (it was our first visit to the city). We were seated quickly on the second floor, as the restaurant was maybe 1/2 full at this point. It was full soon after we arrived. The beer list is modest at best, but then who really wants to drink beer with italian food? We ordered some reasonably priced glasses of wine (chianti and pinot noir off the list).
We started with a daily special, a pizza topped with mushrooms, capers, green onions and other yummy items (cant recall the specifics other than delicious!). My wife had some farfalle pasta with squash and proscuitto and I had the spicy clam roast. Both were fantastic -- the farfalle sauce was delicate yet incredibly flavorful, and the clam roast, my god, that was good. Pairing the mashed potatoes with the spicy sausage, clams and onions makes an amazing meal. Desert was one of the pre-ordered dishes for two, apple crisp. Our server said it was Ina Garten's favorite, and since she was my mom's favorite foodie, we had to try it. Again, another fabulous dish.
Each course was as good if not better than the previous, something that doesn't happen enough in restaurants these days. Nothing felt indifferently prepared, and everything was well seasoned, but not in such a way as to knock you over with spice or salt. This restaurant is reason enough to schedule a trip to Providence!!! -
Review from Jay E.
Providence, RI
1/7/2012
Al Forno's is a Rhode Island icon, just like Del's Lemonade and Newport Creamery! We visited with a group of 12 and the staff was very accommodating. We sampled various appetizers and pizza and couldn't be more impressed. An awesome place for groups or a dinner for two. Highly Recommend!
-
Review from Michelle B.
Boston, MA
7/5/2011
The food was very good. Grilled pizza-- amazing . The bar staff sucked! Waited 10 mins at the bar before they ask me if I wanted a drink- another 5 mins for my wine.-- they used a hot watery glass directly from the dishwasher. --ruined my drink!! Then I noticed the bartender removing a fruit-fly with a straw and then serving the glass of white wine ( the wine that had the fruit fly)
Don't sit at the bar!!!!! -
Review from Yunji L.
OMG!!!!!!
If I die tomorrow, I will eat Al Forno tonight!!
We went to this place when I was at Providence visiting my sister. The desire to eat good food runs in our family so we were on a quest to find the best dinner for the night. We've been reading good reviews for this place for some time so we headed there.
If you are a New Yorker visiting Providence, don't try to walk here. I tried it and had to cross a highway, tread through mud, and felt very unsafe. All the cabbies in Providence know Al Forno.
They have a nice seating area with huge skylights cozy setting with candle lights. They also have seating on the side with a bar and larger tables upstairs. Now.. on to the food~
Grilled Pizza!!! So good! Very thin yet crusty. Did not get soggy at all even after a while. I like the scallion they put on top of the margarita pizza.
Roasted duckbreast!!! So tender and juicy!! The hoisin sauce glaze and kumquat marmalade was perfect!!
Banana mascarpone tarte!!! This is a dessert made from heaven!! Perfect sweetness and creaminess and the tart was oh so buttery~ You have to order all your desserts when you order the entree so they have enough time to make you dessert from scratch.
This restaurant makes you long for more even as you are eating it!! After I was done with the whole meal, I was wishing to rewind time so that I can relive the entire meal!! YUM!!!Listed in: Must try it's so good!!
-
Review from Tony Y.
Providence, RI
6/15/2011
I had a friend visiting from out of town: the perfect opportunity to try Al Forno. It turned out to be ... meh. Not bad, but not particularly special.
Ambiance/Service:
=======
When we arrived, there was a bit of a wait (5--10 mins), and the bar area was pretty busy. We ended up standing where the entrance, bar, kitchen, and main dining area intersect; it was pretty awkward since it seemed like we were in the way of all the servers. Plus, the host didn't really acknowledge us. Anyway, I ended up getting the attention of a server, and he found us a table. The waiter for our table was really nice. Aside from him, everything about the place made me feel out of place---kind of fancy, in an old-money kind of way.
Food:
=======
We went with a safe appetizer: Fried Calamari, which was pretty delicious. It had a really good Arrabbiata sauce (think: spicy tomato sauce) to go with it. I had the "Linguine with Creamy Egg, Duck Bacon, and Pea Tendrils"---basically, Spaghetti Carbonara with duck bacon. I have a sweet spot for duck, so I was really excited to order this dish. Unfortunately, I didn't think the duck bacon tasted any different than regular bacon (don't get me wrong: I love regular bacon, but I was hoping for something a little different). More importantly, the dish was over-salted. Not terribly over-salted, but noticeable. My friend had the "Braised Pork Shank Filled Ravioli", which was pretty good, but not spectacular.
Summary:
=======
The food was pretty good, but not that exciting. And the ambiance just wasn't my kind of thing. I'd try it again if someone wanted to go, but I won't be the one suggesting it.
Other:
=======
Also, if you're going there on foot, note that the front entrance is actually on South Water St., not South Main. I took my friend down South Main, which is just the back of Al Forno and a few abandoned-warehouse-looking places. -
Review from William H.
Providence, RI
5/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The meal was delicious and the service excellent. I've been a few times now and each time I really loved my meal. I've had some of their salads as well as some of the pastas. I loved the gnocchi and the lasagna. I'd go back for either one!
I've only tried some of the wines by the glass but looking forward to going back and sampling some unusual italian varietals.
Note: its a bit of a hard place to find. But, if you can find the Hot Club, you're good to go! -
Review from Hilary H.
3/17/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Tucked in a cozy corner booth with candles and a fragrant Chianti, I had one of the most delicious Italian meals of my life. Now, I'll tell you straight up I'm not the biggest pasta fan (I know, I know), but DAAAAAY-um, this gnocchi was so good, I ate till my belly was stretched to the max, and then I ate some more.
I haven't yet mentioned my bacon-wrapped-dates and kumquat salad. This item alone is worth another trip to Al Forno - I practically licked my plate clean! Now, these dates were HUGE - about the size of an egg (for reals). Each one was sprinkled with gorgonzola, wrapped in a nice, thick, meaty slice of bacon and then seared or broiled or something. These little orbs of delight were placed among endive leaves, and drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette and then - the piece de resistance - the sliced kumquats. Holy hell, this thing was a revelation! I wordlessly ate and ate and ate until it was all gone, practically in a trance-like state. Delicious food just does that to me.
The hus had the lasagna - a lazy-man version with meatballs and loose pasta in a shallow dish. He cleaned his plate, too, and ordered a second glass of Chianti while we just sat there enjoying what we'd just experienced.
The service was impeccable, too - not a once was my water glass empty, I didn't ever have to search for a waitron, and everything was timed perfectly.
I also like that they have a parking lot - it just makes things a whole lot easier that searching for a spot or paying a valet like we do on the Hill. So, this is my Italian spot from here on out, kids. It's authentic, classy, and delish. 'Nough said. -
Review from Cole J.
Madison, WI
6/17/2011
Sad, this is what passes for high dining in Providence.
Overall, the portions are excessive, the dishes tend to be crudely drawn together, lacking in technique, and the service is mostly amateurish. It would be nice to see a little more finesse come out of the kitchen, and a wait staff that is more experienced (and trained).
On the good side, pasta can be delicious and - as long as you order lightly - a nice place to grab a glass of wine and an entree on the way home as the sun sets. -
Review from Kelly L.
East Greenwich, RI
12/10/2011
DInner last night at Al Forno was delicious as usual. We shared Baked Pasta with Three Cheeses, Fettuccine with Duck Bacon and a side order of Meatballs. The staff was attentive and as always it was a great experience!
-
Review from nate C.
Somerville, MA
7/28/2011
In a city that it is almost impossible to get a good meal Al Forno is the one and only place where you can get consistently good food.
Pizza and pasta both very good.
The food is quite simple. The way food is often best.
Real deal Italian. -
Review from Brannon I.
Brooklyn, NY
9/24/2011
OK, here's the deal: go to Al Forno, get a pizza and a glass of wine. That's it. The pizzas are the best thing this place has going for it, and you'll spend around 30 bucks plus tip. We got the grilled pizza with native corn - explosive flavor, perfect crust, slightly spicy.
Don't bother with the ridiculously overpriced pastas, salads and desserts. We got one of the baked pastas with pumpkin: good, not great. They say the pasta is homemade but the shells had the consistency of store-bought pasta. The caesar salad was uninspired. And the dessert - basically a brownie topped with homemade coconut ice cream - was delicious, but obscene at $14.
The bill, with tip: about $110. We left thinking about all the outstanding restaurants in Providence where we could've eaten three times for that amount.
But we'll still be back for the pizza! -
Review from Ellen F.
Somerville, MA
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I want to begin by saying that I don't know why anyone would review a restaurant where they had not eaten. We have wanted to go to Al Forno for years but haven't because we knew that it was difficult to get in.
A few weeks ago we were in Rhode Island for another errand and since we had some time decided it was a great opportunity to try Al Forno. We did not regret it. It was a Tuesday, a few minutes before 5:00 and we were the second ones in line. The place opened just after 5:00 and we were led to a lovely table in the garden. We wanted everything on the menu of course but there were just two of us. Because we expected the portions to be smaller, we both ordered salads to start. We could have easily shared just one salad since the portions were even too big for two people to share. For entrees, I had the Eggplant Al Forno, which was simply the best eggplant dish I'd ever tasted. It did not have the dreadful breading that most eggplant dishes have. My friend had a wonderful summer pasta with pea tendrils. We also had the same dinner the next night, because there was so much food that we took at least half home. These dishes were some of the best we'd ever had in any restaurant. Although the prices are high, since the portions are so large you can do some serious sharing.
We are going back this week with two more friends and definitely plan to share more of this superb food. Al Forno has been in business for more than 30 years and people still start lining up before 5:00 pm on a Tuesday night. That should tell you something. It's not a tourist attraction--it's about the food. -
Review from Shauna M.
Providence, RI
12/1/2011
OMG. That's definitely how I have to start this review. This was one of the best meals I've had while in Rhode Island. The intense flavors in the more nuanced dishes (spicy clam roast with homemade sausage) and the simple, clean ones in the straightforward dishes (squash blossoms and the zucchini and parmesan salad) were exquisite. And I can't even discuss the shear sublime-ness of the beets and frites and fresh pasta dishes -- it's like how you must refer to Voldemort as he-who-must-not-be-named. Too glorious for words. Hmmm maybe that simile doesn't work quite right? But you must go for the pizza, pasta, antipasto and terrific cocktails at the bar. It's just sensational and sensual. I'm grateful for this sexy little place.
-
Review from Francesca H.
Hamilton, OH
8/3/2011
Many high expectations from several people telling me all about how Al Forno is their favorite. Finally I had an excuse to go with some work friends. We all love food but overall the experience was somewhat ho-hum.
Atmosphere was minimal but cozy... added with the tables are pretty close to each other. Definitely not kid friendly. Host was friendly. Waitress and asst waitress (??) were attentive but not annoying. The service was pretty perfect on that front.
We started with wine and we had a picky "I get headaches with red wine" person so we went with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Frankly, the wine list was short on the white wines... not really their thing. One person did get a wine by the Cabernet glass for $10 and they loved it. Surprised the waitress didn't recommend a Chianti at an Italian restaurant, but okay....
The menu is definitely creative.
We tried the Squash Blossom as an appetizer and we didn't finish it. It has a ricotta filling, flash fried, and in a red sauce. Not really much of a taste.
Then for the entrees... we had the Special Cod, Special Dirty Steak and the Corn Pizza. Corn Pizza was the biggest hit with layers of taste and a bit of spice in it. Dirty Steak was flavorful but not as amazing as I expected. The cod dish was good but not real unusual.
Lastly, the prices... just a little too over the top. Come on, $20 desserts for 2? That is just too much. Out of principal, no dessert for us.
Would I go back? Sure... but I'm not seeking it out. -
Review from Lauren C.
Warwick, RI
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've had "Al Forno Guilt" for quite a while now. Seeing that it's supposedly an RI institution, I was always a bit ashamed that I'd never been. We remedied that a few weeks ago by making the leap and going.
One of the reasons we had never been is that I had heard nightmare stories about the long wait. So we headed over, arriving at 5:15 on a cold Saturday night, hoping the crowd stayed home. We were wrong. There was already an hour and a half wait. This is one of the reasons I just cannot give Al Forno 5 stars. The wait was incredibly long, they don't take reservations, and the waiting area isn't all that comfortable. We found a little nook in the upstairs bar and had a drink while waiting. The bar got incredibly crowded and it was pretty uncomfortable after an hour of standing around moving out of the way of people heading to the bathroom.
However, once we were finally seated all was right with the world. We got the pumpkin pizza - really, really delicious. Nice thin crust and the sweetness of the pumpkin went unbelievably well with the salty marinara.
I had the duck which was delicious. Just be sure you are a fan of sweet food if you are going to order it (I am!), as it has a really sweet sauce and sweet gnocchi with figs inside. The hubby had the special, I believe it was pork shoulder and that was incredible. Even better than mine. I really don't have any complaints about the food whatsoever.
We finished with the cookie finale. Interesting selection of cookies and a nice way to end the night.
Service was great...our waiter was very busy but we never felt neglected. I'd go back again but really try and get there at 4 to avoid the wait. -
Review from Katie W.
Boston, MA
12/22/2010 ROTD 12/28/2010
One word: AMAZING!
I have been coming here for years either crashing my parents anniversary dinners or meeting them half way between Boston and CT for a good meal.
I have never had a bad meal here, ever! And I have tried close to everything on the menu.
Here are a few favorites, lets start with appetizers.
Clams Alforno -- just spicy enough and the clams are tender and flavorful. Make sure to ask for extra bread for the broth (my favorite part!)
Caesar Salad -- creamy, garlicky, that slight kick of anchovy really hits home. The crouton are soft with just a little crisp which I love.
Pizza -- crispy, tasty, love the shaved scallions on top, all in all amazing.
Now onto the main courses --
Any duck dish can be summarized by one work: Crack. I can't stop eating it no matter how full I am.
Linquini with cream sauce, pea tendrals, and smoked duck bacon -- a sophisticated version of carbonara and delicious
Cheater's Lasagna -- tastes like your grandmothers, the ultimate comfort meal for me
Dirty Steak Special -- So tender and has the spicy kick in the sauce that gives it that special taste.
And the grand finale of course is their tart's for dessert. My all time favorite is the pear walnut with cream anglaise....doesn't get much better than this folks.
To top all of this off, I love to come here to see my 4th grade teacher who is a long standing bartender and it is always a treat to see her!
PS-- Get here at 5 on the dot since they don't take reservations or expect to wait at least and hour to get a table!Listed in: Top Chef New England
