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Alfredo's Italian Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1989 Cheshire Bridge RdAtlanta, GA 30324
Neighborhood: Morningside / Lenox Park
(404) 876-1380
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11:30 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
121 reviews for Alfredo's Italian Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"but wow the garlic bread is AMAZING." In 41 reviews -
"My sea bass entree stole the show." In 8 reviews -
"Filling, but not too heavy and tasty as hell." In 3 reviews
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121 reviews in English
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Review from Peter S.
Atlanta, GA
3/31/2012
Alfredo's feels comfortable like a favorite shirt. Simply put, the place is very welcoming. From the staff to folks you meet for the first time you feel as though you are amongst friends.
I had never been to Alfredo's so when a friend suggested our regular group dinner outing go to Alfredo's I was all in. I was not disappointed.
The garlic bread lives up to its well deserved reputation. As I enjoyed my fourth piece I could hear my grand mother admonishing 'don't fill up on bread now!'. It is served browned, light and crisp, infused with butter and of course the most wonderful garlic one can imagine. And it is a great starter.
For my appetizer I enjoyed the mushroom soup. It is a white soup due to it being cream based and it is littered with chunks of mushrooms. A hint of sherry premeates the soup and when you bite into some mushroom it envelops the tongue. Delicious.
For dinner I chose the lasagne which was delicious. A generous portion of noodles which contained alternating layers of ricotta cheese and savory seasoned ground beef. All topped with their signature red sauce which I found to be quite good. If they bottled their red sauce I'd buy it.
A friend ordered the 'Padrino' which is a trio of medallions of veal served marsala, francaise and parmgian. This they raved about.
The one disappointment was the fettuccine Alfredo. The sauce was bland, almost without flavor and thin. Perhaps it was just a bad effort. Even so there was nothing to recommend it. I'll pass on it next time.
Others at my table enjoyed linquini with clam sauce and shrimp scampi which received high praise from the italian girl from Brooklyn, saying it was almost as good as hers.
I had an absolutely great experience at Alfredo's but one thing really stands out, and that was the service. Any place where the waiter will track you down in the parking lot to take your dinner order while you're out having a cigarette ranks high in my book!
I recommend you gather up some friends and make your way to Alfredo's soon where you will be welcomed as old friends and treated to food the likes of which your old, Italian grand mother would have made, whether you have one or not! -
Review from Felix C.
3/31/2012
After years of hearing about this place, I finally went. This feels like an old-school Italian-American restaurant. Like it's nearby competitor, Nino's, this place has been around forever. You won't find cutting-edge cuisine but you will find the old reliable standby's that have carried a restaurant through twenty years of the evolution of Atlanta's dining scene.
Really good linquini with white wine clam sauce. The fettucini carbonara was creamy and filling. Angel-hair pasta was light and tasty.
The side of broccoli was a bit mushy.
Alfredo's is an Atlanta classic. -
Review from Greg R.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was expecting better.
The service was ok. We did not feel rushed in any way to finish each course and the servers did a good job making sure we had everything we wanted. Where I was disappointed was the quality of the food. I had the Veal medallions and my friend had the filet. Mine was smoothered in gravey and it was hard to find the meat and the fliet was overcooked.
For the price we paid I would have preferred a little better food. -
Review from Tim H.
Atlanta, GA
5/12/2012
Best Italian I've had in many years (in the US, at least). As mentioned in most reviews, the garlic bread is the best you've ever tasted. The Rita salad was great.
The 'Godfather' veal trio was awesome. The veal is amazing, the Marsala and franchese were perfect. But the best was the parmigiana...this the the parm that I remember from the old school Italian restaurants where I went as a kid. Nothing like the fake parm that you get at the chains and the 'modern' places that pass as Italian these days. I think it just gets a little worse every year at all those other places, so you don't notice how bad it's gotten. Alfredo's probably hasn't changed their ingredients or recipes in 35 years, and thank goodness they haven't.
Yes, the facilities and staff probably haven't changed in 35 years either, but I'm happy with that too. Especially when the food's this good, I prefer the old, comfy ambiance over the hip, trendy, plastic places trying to cover for their mediocre menu.
Our service was great. Yeah, the guys can be a bit gruff and not always Johnny-on-the-spot. Yeah, the bartender has probably been there forever and doesn't suffer fools well. I'd take that any day over the clueless airheads (with or without flair) following the corporate protocol at most places ("hows everything tasting?" / *Big Smile* / don't bother waiting for an answer / next table).
Lat time we were here was probably 20+ years ago. We don't get to this part of town often. We were driving by after dropping our son off at a nearby event -- saw that it was still there and pulled in at 7:45 on a busy Saturday. Obviously no reservation, but were greeted warmly, told it would be 20 minutes, and I think we were seated within 15 min.
Prices were great for the quality of the food.
As you can tell, can't say enough good about the place and hope to put this in the rotation, even though it is not geographically attractive. -
Review from Katie W.
11/2/2011 ROTD 4/2/2012
I love this place! I finally went here for the first time and I want to go back once a week, except that I'd probably gain 50 pounds. I love the old-school look of the place, the friendly staff, the wine list that is quite affordable and the giant entrees that come either over pasta, with a side of pasta or with vegetables. I also like the basket of garlic bread even though it's super buttery and I mostly avoid it.
My entree was the shrimp marinara over spinach, not pasta. It was huge and I took half of it home. I also had the Salad alla Rita, which was a fantastic $3 side salad. I tried the fried calamari, which was very good, and also a stuffed mushroom, which was good but not something I would normally order.
The service was attentive and great, we spent a lot of time there but still got our food quickly and they were really nice about bringing out the birthday cupcakes we had brought for our little party.
I'll definitely return! I may take my parents here when they're in town. -
Review from kacee k.
Atlanta, GA
12/4/2011
Hubby and I went there last night for the first time and we were really looking forward to dinner there. Unfortunately, we were both disappointed with our entrees. Let me start by first saying the garlic bread was very good and the small dish of olives and veggies was tasty. We ordered the calamari for the appetizer. Eh, it was ok. The breading on the calamari was on the tasteless side and the marinara sauce they served with it was quite bland. For dinner I had the "Godfather" veal dish, which consists of 3 pieces of veal each with their own sauce. Two of the sauces were not that great. The third mainly consisted of mozzarella cheese and marinara. The pasta I had as a side was fine; it had an alfredo sauce. That kind of sauce can't be messed up. My husband had the shrimp and scallop pasta dish. He said it was pretty flavorless and the shrimp were over cooked.
The place did have a good wine list at affordable prices by the glass though. The wait staff was friendly but a bit slow. Overall, I was quite disappointed. I do not think I will be returning. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Tallahassee, FL
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh my goodness! This is the best Italian restaurant I have EVER eaten in. And, I have spent a week in Italy! Who knew you didn't need to return to the Motherland for such amazing authenticity?
My brother and I ate there late on a Thursday evening, and the place was packed! We only had to wait about 5 minutes, though, before a table opened up.
We started with the prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe and a half carafe of red wine. The Chicken Fiorintino was AMAZING! My brother ordered the Chicken Piccata, which was not on the menu, but served nonetheless!The sides of angel hair pasta with marinara sauce wasn't super impressive, but a nice quiet side. Dessert was a cake Spumoni.
The food fantastic, the service perfect - attentive, but not-overly. And the characters of the other diners in the restaurant added to the charm.
I am putting this restaurant on my Top 20 List for certain! -
Review from Kelly H.
Decatur, GA
4/13/2012
We went there for dinner the other night and the food was quite enjoyable. Given the surrounding area and outside appearance, I was surprised once inside that all the other patrons were dressed a bit fancier than I expected. We had come in jeans and felt quite under-dressed. Hubby had the scallop pasta dish which was delicious. I did not enjoy my Saltimbocca quite as much, but my salad was great. I would probably go back, but I would dress up a bit next time.
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Review from Rich B.
Atlanta, GA
Management has gotten fat and lazy in the golden years of their success.
Took so long to get seated with 7:30 reservations that we left. The bar was crowded with only one bartender - who looks and moves like a grandmother - unable to get drinks to even half of the people trying to get them.
It wasn't for lack of time either. We had 7:30 reservations and stood trying to get a cocktail for 40 minutes. During that time, the little, fat, old guy was trying to get everyone seated but he didn't keep a real list. He kept walking around, "what is your name again?" Which did NOT imbue me with confidence that there was any rhyme or reason to his seating schedule.
I'm taking Alfredo's off my "show people in Atlanta" list. It was good about 10 years ago, but having lived in NY and Philly, I know good Italian food. This is good Italian KITCHEN food, but it is not worth putting up with the lack of service and crowded, dank and depressing 1960s ramshackle hut....too bad. -
Review from Gina A.
Acworth, GA
12/17/2011
My (Italian) family has considered Alfredo's a favorite for years, but my most recent visit (after not being there for 2-3 years) changed my mind. The garlic bread and giardinera were great, and the house Chianti was mellow and nice. However, the waiter was a little rude when we were ordering (he kept insisting what could and could not be ordered as sides, when I remember that Tony always accommodated any of our requests.) My eggplant parm side was not nearly as good as it was last time I had it, and the Snapper Francese was just okay. The fettucine alfredo was fine, and the side of broccoli was tiny and sad. For the cost, I don't think I'll be visiting again anytime soon.
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Review from Bianca I.
Atlanta, GA
9/12/2011
Uhhh-mazing. My boyfriend kept talking about Alfredo's. Finally we went for his birthday and it was incredible. The service was great, really attentive to detail and our waiter made it feel like we'd known him for years.
They first bring out this amazing garlic bread--just enough garlic and crispy. They also brought this plate of veggies/olives soaked in what seemed like vinegar. Sounds weird but really good. We got the stuffed mushrooms to start--3 big mushrooms. Could've had a little more flavor but not bad at all. I got the scallops and shrimp over angel hair pasta. Really great and a very big serving.
The atmosphere is very cozy--lots of pictures, paintings on the wall, dark lighting, low ceilings (I felt like a giant in my 3 inch heels). Definitely looking forward to going back. -
Review from Chriss F.
5/31/2011
After reading some of the previous Yelp reviews for Alfredo's, I knew what to expect. Low ceilings, old light fixtures, seasoned waiters and good food. :)
I had the Lasagna for my entree and muscles to start. My friend had the scallops alfredo. The tirimisu was kinda dry but the cappucino was delish.
Excellent service and food. And yes, it is an old school feel.
It does get loud in the restaurant, but it is worth it. -
Review from Arika S.
5/21/2011
I can't express my love for this place. I lived in ATL for 5 years and this place NEVER got old to me. It's a hidden gem on Cheshire Bridge...
Pros
-Romantic
-DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Wait staff is very attentive
-Very reasonably priced..I would pay 3x more than the price for the food
-Seating for big groups available
Cons
-Small dining room
-Wait list (even when you make reservations)
Things I've had:
Garlic bread- A++ (Simply divine)
Pickled veggies- A+ (always look forward to this while I wait)
House wine- A+ (can always count on this!)
Ceasar Salad- A (typical, but good!)
Fettucini Verde-A++(This is my favorite dish in the world..the cream sauce is amazing, and the mushrooms are cooked to perfection)
Veal Francese- A+ (another favorite..veal is cooked perfectly and the sauce has just the right amount of lemon-caper flavor)
This one is a must! -
Review from Timber W.
Augusta, GA
1/9/2011
My sister and I went to Alfredo's with some friends of the family who had wanted to try the place. They arrived before we did and stood there unacknowledged for several minutes. We had made a reservation for 7:00 and arrived about 15 minutes early. When my sister told a staff member we had a reservation, someone then went over to a few tables by the restroom and set up our 6 top.
After what seemed like an interminable wait (perhaps because the area in which we were waiting was so cramped and we constantly had to shift around to accommodate traffic), we were seated. The server experienced extreme mood swings when dealing with our table. At first, he was unbearably rude, scoffing at our preference for water. Then, when we ordered, he was very dismissive of one of our companion's questions. During the middle of our dining experience, he swung back by the table and actually smiled and inquired about how we liked our food. After he ran my credit card, it seemed like an invisible cloak had been cast over our table. One man, who wasn't our server, offered to add bread to our to-go bag. His pleasant demeanor was much appreciated.
The food itself was just okay. The calamari was the best appetizer we ordered. The escargot was decent, and the stuffed mushrooms were terrible and came out of the kitchen cold. Two of our friends ordered spaghetti as their entrees. The food looked disgusting, and they assured us it tasted that way, too. The fettuccine alfredo and lasagna were acceptable. The best entrees were the scallops and shrimp liguria and the sea bass special. I had the scallops and shrimp liguria. The pasta underneath the seafood was a little oily, and the scallops and shrimp were slightly overcooked and tough. The sea bass was the only entree cooked to perfection. My bite of that was the best food I had all evening. Our friends ordered tiramisu, too, and seemed to really enjoy it.
I would never return to Alfredo's, both because of the food and the lackluster service. ...and did I mention the creepy eyeless clown portrait directly beside the bathroom door? It couldn't have been staring at me. It didn't have eyes. ...yet I still couldn't wait to get away from it. -
Review from Sarah T.
5/6/2011
If the service hadn't been a roller-coaster ride, then this would totally be a 5-star experience.
From the parking guard (Vince) to faux-wooden walls that give me childhood flashbacks of my Italian grandmother's basement; this place has a ton of personality & authenticity.
We didn't have reservations, but were told if we waited (20 minutes tops) we would have a table. No big deal, standard wait time in Atlanta. We ended up waiting around 30-35 minutes. Once again, not a big deal. However we went a good ten-minutes once we were seated without getting any personal service. We had drinks left over from the bar & some runners brought us some delicious garlic bread & an olive tray; but no menus, no server. I had to finally get up out of my seat & ask the Host. Once the mistake was noticed; the apologizes flowed, we were given menus & the service was much better.
The Cesar salad was one of the best Cesar salads I've ever tasted & the ravioli with goat cheese was well, heavenly. The sauce was right-up there with my Grandma's. If we hadn't been in a hurry to get to a charity event, I would've definitely have gotten an espresso & one of their fabulous looking deserts. Maybe next time.
I plan on another trip back to Alfredo's soon.... -
Review from Rhonda M.
Atlanta, GA
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was a beautiful Saturday and I was hanging out doing a mommy/daughter day. It was time for us to eat and my daughter asked for Italian. Wanting to bypass the whole chain idea, I turned to none other than my faithful Yelp on my phone to see what I could find close by. Voila~ Alfredo was just around the corner, so we popped in.
SO happy we did! They were just opening because they only open for dinner, so we were the first ones there. Before we realized it the place was packed! We were greeted by the most welcoming staff. Picture yourself walking into 1974 Italian dining room. Yes, the decor has NOT changed, but who cares. We came for an authentic experience and we were not disappointed.
I ordered the Snapper Casalinga which was a snapper fillet, broiled in butter, lemon, white wine, and capers. Superb~
Con:
They were a bit pricey for the portions served. Definitely not family style dining, but did we really need all that food anyway..I think not.
All in all, would pay them another visit because the food was very good. -
Review from Bobbin W.
1/9/2011
When I called Alfredo's to make a reservation, the man on the phone was charming and sweet, setting my expectations way too high customer service-wise. Our waiter was hostile and taciturn. So much for Italian hospitality. No hugs and kisses for me...
My sister and I ordered three appetizers for our table of six who we were treating as a Christmas prezzie. The calamari, escargot and stuffed mushrooms were so small that each of us sampled only a spoonful. The calamari was tastily standard; the escargot, flavorful but oily; and the stuffed mushrooms, not really stuffed but mounded with cold breading.
My sea bass entree stole the show. Lightly pan seared, the fish flaked onto my fork and into my salivating mouth, along with the tender mushrooms that topped it. The side of spaghetti with marinara sauce helped fill me up.
Two of our dining companions ordered the regular spaghetti entree, smeared with a heap of meat that honestly looked like doo-doo. They picked their food and hungrily munched the hot, buttery garlic bread instead.
My sister seemed to enjoy her scallops and shrimp liguria entree, although the scallops sat rubbery and overcooked. Our dear family friends who requested the lasagna and fettuccine alfredo shrugged at the mediocrity.
A cup of cafe au lait helped my nausea subside over taking our friends to such an "eh" eatery for their Christmas gift. -
Review from Brian D.
Cambridge, MA
2/7/2011
While Cheshire Bridge Road can be a bit disconcerting to drive down, it is well worth the trip to this neighborhood Italian restaurant!
Don't worry when you pull up, as the restaurant does not look like much from the outside (but all the best Italian places are like this, right?). The food more than makes up for the worn-down appearance. Everything is fresh, homemade and delicious, and they'll make you absolutely anything you want in any combination as long as they have it in the kitchen. Once you've come here a few times, the staff treats you like family!
Do be prepared to wait a few minutes on the weekends, even if you do have a reservation (which is a must). Service can also slow down on the weekends, so don't go expecting to get in and out in 45 minutes. -
Review from Hannah B.
Lawrenceville, GA
1/24/2011
Cheshire Bridge can look like a scary place sometimes; but Alfredo's is a hidden gem.
It feels like a real Italian restaurant. Customer Service was awesome! It was probably the best I've seen in a long time.
Free garlic bread and olives.
Try the Mozzarella appetizers. Very good. Food was great in general.
My boyfriend love's cannoli's. He wasn't impressed though. The texture was off he said. -
Review from Eren C.
Atlanta, GA
11/19/2011
This was my first experience with Alfredo's. We went for a special occasion the other night and was pleasantly pleased. This place is one of the hidden gems of Atlanta. It's small and unassuming and when you walk in it feels like you stepped back in time to the "Godfather" era, but all those things make it so interesting and a great conversational piece. The food is just as authentic as the setting and super delicious, as is the wine! The waiters are so sweet and friendly and attentive. They even brought us out a special treat, free of charge at the end of the night. We will definitely be returning. AMAZING! We visited on a Monday night so the restaurant was full but not crowded and we didn't have to wait at all. I doubt we would ever try to come on a weekend for a place of this size because I can imagine having to wait forever even with a reservation.
The only reasons I didn't give this place 5 stars are
1) The parking was a little sketchy.Since it's a small (really small) place, their parking fills up fast but they allow you to park in the neighboring restaurants or business' parking lots. The problem is, none of the neighboring places lots are very well lit and I remember feeling sort of uneasy about the area especially since there are a lot of strip clubs within a few miles which means unsavory characters could be lurking. When we pulled up I almost didn't want to get out because it just looked so scary.They also have a guy who patrols on his bicycle and controls the parking situation but he was just as scary! LOL. Had we not seen all the RAVE reviews we may not have gotten out of the car. So glad we did though.
2) The portion sizes were wayyyyyy too small for the price. Alfredo's is mighty expensive and that's fine especially for the quality of food, wine,atmosphere and service BUT the portion sizes are too small to be charging that much. I tend to get full very quickly, usually I won't even order an appetizer at most places because I won't finish my food. But at Alfredo's my companion and I EACH ordered an appetizer, chewed on several pieces of garlic bread, had our entrees, shared a dessert and have a few glasses of wine and I STILL didn't leave completely full. That's saying a lot for me.
So my advice, definitely try Alfredo's for a special occasion but make sure to order a lot of food or you may leave hungry. -
Review from Matthew L.
Mableton, GA
11/9/2011
This place is everything I look for in a sit-down Italian restaurant. Small, dark, with classic Italian-American cuisine and old-school as hell. The vested wait staff and "goodfellas" feel is awesome. When I visited Italy in Spring of 2011, I came to a realization: I liked and often preferred the americanized Italian dishes I grew up on. Alfredo's offers all the classics you remember. While the service sometimes gives you the feeling like they're trying to turn tables, there's no shortage of attention. While no part of the meal may blow you away, the whole package makes the experience worth it.
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Review from Shelly G.
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
A friend and I discovered this place randomly one day when we were craving Italian and wanted to try something new. The restaurant was cozy and nice, a surprising contrast to the shady stores that line Cheshire Bridge Road.
Everything from the complimentary garlic bread and olives before the main course to the cannoli and coffee for dessert was absolutely delicious and incredibly rich and flavorful.
The customer service was fantastic, and at one point even the owner himself came up to our table and started chatting with us!
Tip: If it's a Friday night, make reservations. We ended up waiting for an hour, and there wasn't even room to sit down at the bar because it was so packed. -
Review from sarah a.
Atlanta, GA
2/15/2012
it was good but thats simply it. i expected much, MUCH better. if it was cheaper i wouldntve minded the mediocrity
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Review from Brian K.
8/16/2011
Alfredo's is the quintessential old school Italian restaurant. In fact, this place is so old school that I'd be reluctant to make a complaint in fear of waking up the next morning next to a severed horse head. Fortunately, I don't have any complaints to report; the food and service at Alfredo's is excellent.
Food: There are a few northern Italian influenced items on the menu at Alfredo's, but for the most part they specialize in traditional central and southern (i.e. "red sauce") Italian cuisine. Prior to ordering, they also serve complimentary pickled vegetables and bread, the latter of which was essentially thick sliced wonder bread, toasted, and completely saturated with God's true gift to mankind: butter. After devouring at least a loaf of the bread each, my dining partner and I finally had to cut each other off for fear of inducing a myocardial infarction. For appetizers, we opted for the fried mozzarella and calamari, both of which were well flavored and appropriately portioned. For an entree, I opted for the raviolini pomodoro, which were filled with goat cheese and accompanied by chopped artichokes and tomatoes the size of a fetus. It was also littered with garlic and basil; I say littered because the dish was actually seasoned so heavy that the flavor remained in my oral cavity after multiple brushings and at least 12 hours. This isn't a complaint though; the dish was incredibly well executed and the littering was a welcomed kick.
Service: The servers here are older and well-seasoned, which translates into knowledgeable and efficient; our waiter, George, was friendly and more than eager to please.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere is really the only thing I take issue with at Alfredo's. I realize the intent is to maintain the old school Italian feel, but the establishment is incredibly run down and borderline condemnable; there were actually multiple pieces of thick packing tape holding together the wood paneling on the side of the booth we were sitting in. It's also incredibly dark, to the point where George actually had to take out a flash light to assist me with the ordering process; the experience was certainly a humbling one, but at least 50 years premature. I imagine most of the older patrons must already be familiar with the menu or just shout out random Italian dishes until the waiter confirms that it's actually on the menu.
Cost: Moderately priced. Most appetizers are between $6 and $9, while entrees are between $14 and $24. All pastas can also be ordered as side dishes for a lower price.
Other: Unless you dine before 6:30 PM, expect a wait, regardless of the day or whether you have a reservation. They do have a full service bar though and a reasonable selection of inexpensive Italian wine varietals to help pass the time. -
Review from Beth S.
Atlanta, GA
10/18/2011
I'm not even a fan of italian and give it 5 stars. Think some place your Grandmother would go....but she drinks! The food is ridic; I don't like a shovel full of ricotta plopped on or shoved in to everything; so this place is perfect. I keep it simple with the piccatta chicken and spaghetti w/meat sauce on the side. The bread is sick!...seriously you can get sick from stuffing your face; but it's sooooo yummy! Not much to look at (decor); but your there to eat!...not get decorating ideas!
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Review from Martha M.
Atlanta, GA
3/20/2011
WOW!
I went to this place based on Yelp! reviews and cannot believe how right you all were! I called ahead and made a reservation for Saturday night and only had to wait about 5-10 minutes. It is on a pretty sketchy part of Cheshire Bridge so I was a little nervous driving to it, but once I was inside it felt like being over at your grandma's house for a big family meal. The space isn't very big so they maximize the number of tables they can cram in there by not giving you a whole lot of room. Definitely something to consider if you feel uncomfortable in cramped spaces.
The servers were extremely attentive and very conversational and friendly. They start you off with complimentary garlic bread (it could easily be the best garlic bread I've ever had!) and some olives, carrots, and cauliflower. I ordered the Tortellini that came with an incredible Italian pink sauce and ate every last bite.
If you're in the mood for some authentic Italian, this restaurant is worth the drive and the wait! Unbelievably good! -
Review from Laura M.
Atlanta, GA
12/6/2010
Holy Cannoli!
We went to Alfredo's after watching the GPB Documentary called "Gettin' Delicious" featuring Atlanta's hidden restaurant gems. Truly Alfredo's is just that.
The place hasn't updated its decor since I'm guessing the late 60s/early 70s and that's definitely a good thing! It's warm, cozy and the staff are truly professionals.
The prices are very reasonable for the huge amount of food that you receive and everything we had was delicious. I really can't wait to go back again....Hey--Will, when are we going back? -
Review from Christy R.
Atlanta, GA
10/4/2010
I'm usually an Nino's fan. I've been there no less than 5 times since moving here and that's plenty to be out on Cheshire Bridge. Now, my dinner date last night suggested we go to Alfredo's. My thought: "Why not?!"
Let me start out by saying that you can't beat the genuine nature of this atmosphere. Walking in there you automatically feel like you're part of the loud & pushy Italian family you've never had.
The atmosphere is lively & full of die-hard Alfredo's fans. Apparently, if you started eating there in the 70's, you're still eating there.
Nonetheless, I ordered the Spinach linguine with mushrooms & panchetta with Alfredo sauce. It was pretty darn yummy!
Aside from that, I'd say their bread is disappointing to say the least. I'm stunned that an italian joint can deliver anything but perfect bread! So that was a knock against them.
The waitor, while trying to be helpful, was mostly just pushy. We ordered a bottle of wine and were told that he had better suggestions. Ouch.
All in all, I wouldn't go there again for the price of the food nor the quality of food but it's worth it just to kill the cat's curiosity. -
Review from Lydia L.
11/28/2010
This place is hilarious. I've eaten here a few times, and every single time it feels like I'm dining at a mafia front. There's something awfully fishy about this restaurant.
Anyway, the food is delicious, the servers are entertaining, and it is an experience for everybody.
One visit was for my sister's birthday and they brought out an entire dessert plate. She loved it, and it was really nice of the restaurant. No complaints. -
Review from Adam M.
Ann Arbor, MI
4/1/2011
I was worried when I showed up: I had promised my girl a decent dinner, and from the looks of the place, I had failed. I was already planning to sleep on the couch again. This place is stuck in the 70's, but after the dinner we both agreed that it should stay right there.
Everything we had was marvelous. Outstanding mozzarella, salads, veal parm, the godfather... it was all top notch. The carafe's of wine were solid.
It was such an authentic experience that our server Tony had even killed people. A great mob-front restaurant with outstanding personality.
4+stars. IBebaack. -
Review from Todd B.
Manhattan, NY
1/23/2011
Incredible experience, succulent food, slow service.
You'll have to wait, but oh is it worth it. The chicken piccata was the best I've ever had. -
Review from T. R.
Doraville, GA
11/6/2010
Having passed this place for years without ever giving it a try, I figured I'd get to it someday. After seeing it this week on a Georgia Public Television special, I knew it was now or never.
My friend and I stopped in on a Saturday night around 5:30 p.m. When we walked in, there were a lot of people standing in the bar talking, but not many people actually dining. No matter. We stepped up to the host podium and were greeted warmly, then shown to a table.
I was prepared for the rather cozy quarters and dated decor so that didn't surprise me. I liked it, actually. The traditional Italian tunes (some arias, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra) made it even better. I kept expecting Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro to walk in. It does get a bit noisy once the place starts filling up (and it did), but not to a point where we couldn't hear each other speak.
Our waiter was on the young side and happy to explain the menu to us newcomers. He was not pushy and did not act put out when only one of us ordered wine. I liked the fact that you can order one of their large pastas as a side to a different dish. I've never seen heard of that before. The garlic bread was warm and toasty with plenty of oil. It was charred in a few small places, something I like. Very tasty, I could have eaten all of it easily.
I ordered the chicken florentine with a side of fettucine alfredo. My friend got ravioli and cleaned her plate. The fettucine alfredo was not as hot as I would have liked but it still tasted delicious. Not too heavy and very creamy. The chicken was nicely cooked but not overdone with a zesty lemon flavor, covered in mushrooms. The side of cooked spinach was huge and while I am not a big spinach fan, this was cooked just long enough so it tasted good but wasn't overdone. The portions were generous so I took half home.
For dessert, we shared a canolli and it was fantastic. I have had cannoli in many places and this was in the top five. The pastry was tasty and had a good crunch. You could tell the filling was homemade and not too heavy, just delightful to taste.
Before we left, one of the owners came over to see how we were doing. He was a pleasure to talk to and was pleased when we mentioned seeing them on TV. It's nice to know that while they take care of the regulars, they are eager to see new faces as well.
Alfredo's is definitely old school so you're not going to see any gastro-tech fancy tricks or uber hip dishes. But they do serve up traditional, tasty dishes with class and warmth. And that's not easy to find these days. I'll be back. -
Review from Ravi T.
Atlanta, GA
9/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
So I am going to try something new since I am eating by myself today
I will draft a review with a play-by-play type review.
So, I found the place with little effort. I arrived on a Sunday around 8 pm. The place had enough parking.
Walked the very quaint, dimly lit restaurant...after coming through the second set of doors, walked straight to the host stand....met the owner (I think...who else can get away with those trademark clear Oakley type glasses)...he told me to wait and then promptly sat me.
Got the pickles...was alright....then the
Got the bread, was sorta like the Texas Toast garlic bread you can pick up at grocery store. It wasn't the fresh garlic bread I was expecting. I would have even settled for simple table bread with salty butter
I called the waiter over and ordered the mozzerella marinara and the eggplant parmigiana with a side of fettuccine alfredo.
Now waiting for my food. It's really loud in here. I actually can close my eyes and imagine I am in Grand Central Station (minus the ambient white noise).
Still waiting for the food. Cute brunette sitting across from me. Lady walking her crying baby behind me. Daydreaming of being somewhere warm, preferably Hawaii. Maybe even with the cute brunette.
Water guy is really good about keeping the glasses full.
Mozzerrela Marinara is here!
It wasn't bad...it's sort of like the one served in Maggiano's, but a little less crispy The sauce was hearty but a bit runny. I inhaled it as I am very hungry.
Man this place is loud...maybe if I was eating with a few friends I wouldn't notice but.
Eggplant Parmigiana and fettuccine alfredo are here.
The eggplant was also okay. Large portion, sauce was a bit bland. Eggplant did taste fresh.
Fettuccine Alfredo was actually pretty good. Nice consistency.
My waiter hasn't come by to check up on me once since I flagged him down to order...wonder if that's because it's just me at the table. Owner was just by though and did ask "Everything alright?"
Yypical reproduction of Italian food...felt a bit processed and pushed out. -
Review from Laura W.
11/1/2010
We went here for my mom's birthday and it was a hit. My parents love Italian food, so I wasn't surprised that they appreciated Alfredo's old-school atmosphere and welcoming vibe. Besides, who doesn't want to drive down Cheshire Bridge with their parents? It felt a lot like watching an inappropriate movie with your parents and shuddering every time an awkward scene comes up. But, it builds character, right?
We got here around 9:00 on Saturday night- the restaurant was full and the crowd was buzzing. We instantly felt like family when our server greeted us. I asked him if he likes the lasagna or the manicotti better, and he suggested that I try some of each. Problem solved. The garlic bread was good, but definitely not unique. Same goes for the lasagna and manicotti- they seemed to be traditional recipes. I wouldn't suggest going here for distinct flavors or dishes, but if you're with a picky crowd, then Alfredo's is a sure bet.
Alfredo's definitely follows the "when you're here, you're family" motto. I was taking a picture, and our server quickly took over and said, "Say angel hair!" Very cute. He knew it was my mom's birthday, so he brought out complimentary desserts for her- ricotta cheesecake and spumoni. The best part? It was actually complimentary... no random "birthday" charges on the bill. My dad has already asked when we're going back, which is always a good sign... mission accomplished. -
Review from Rebecca O.
Atlanta, GA
2/11/2008 ROTD 7/17/2008
I felt like I was walking on to a movie set. There were a bunch of actors dressed in traditional Italian ristorante fashion, complete with maroon vests ... and thick accents. Wood paneling covered the walls and provided the perfect backdrop for the obligatory fish tank behind the bar. No, not some fancy salt water tank -- an old-school classroom-style tank o' fish.
Our server recommended the very good deal of the day, which, it turns out, was actually the good "veal." So we went with what was recommended and ordered veal, prepared two different ways. I ordered the piccata -- medallions of veal sauted in butter, lemon, white wine sauce, and zucchini with capers. They aren't joking about the butter part -- my veal was swimming in it. What? You didn't know veal could swim? It can. Despite the cholesterol, my meal was delicious.
Upon ordering, the waiter asked us which side item we would like. When presented with myriad of options I inquired about his favorite. Without a breath he responded, "You'll see!" He quickly spun around and was off before we could get in another word. He ended up bringing us two types of pasta -- yum!
The light fixtures and suspended ceiling date back at least 30 years (the restaurant first started serving up authentic Italian food in 1974). Eclectic art hangs on the wall. It's nice to know that good things stick around. -
Review from Michael E.
Atlanta, GA
1/22/2008 ROTD 3/26/2008
I love this place if only for the scenery; truly like being an extra on the set of The Sopranos...."woke up this morning, got myself a gun."
The decor is a hoot and probably original to the 1950s, as are some of the patrons. Not a window in the place - perhaps it's the casino "they'll spend more if they can't tell what time it is" theory or maybe it's to keep you from escaping once they've realized you're behind on your payments on that loan you took out from the owner to pay your gambling debts.
I tell ya, the naugahyde on these booths has seen more action than Lindsay Lohan and you'd swear Frank Sinatra was singing in the lounge instead of just playing through the 30-year-old speakers.
Oh, and the food, right, the food - it's delicious and authentic (although my Italian mama disagreed, but she doesn't like anything, so take it with a grain of Parmesan). The mussles are amazing and I seriously wanted to drink the juice they were swimming in directly from a wine glass - it was THAT good.
Your waiter is bound to be named Luigi or Mario or Big Pussy - just roll with it and enjoy the most excellent pizon watching this side of the Atlantic. Hey is that guy getting rubbed out in the corner? Ciao bella!
Honestly, could I throw in one more Italian stereoptype? I can, cuz I am.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Zack E.
Updated - 2/13/2009
God, this pains me to write. I feel like I have lost a best friend, and I know how this is going to look. "How can you be so polarized in your update?" you may ask. I don't know, consider one review for food, and the other for service. I wouldn't forgive myself if i didn't share this evening's experience with Yelp.
I called on Wednesday to make reservations for the night before Valentine's day. I figured the chances were slim that i'd be able to get in, but heck, it's worth a try. I called Alfredo's and was quickly told that they can make a reservation for 9:00PM, and all was well. Then, suddenly, the skeptical side of my mind started thinking "Did they really take a reservation, or is it going to be bedlam when I show up there on Friday?"
The latter my friends, the latter. I showed up at 8:55pm. The place was packed. I wasn't expecting otherwise, but i'm thinking "i've made reservations, we should be 'ok'". Oh how it was not ok. I'm told that a table will be available shortly, I smile and nod. 9:35 rolls around and we're still standing there. People are coming in and out and things are getting chaotic. Reservations or no reservations, it seems like everyone's being bunched into the same basket.
Please keep in mind that I am a regular at Alfredo's, and please do not take that to mean that I expect preferential treatment, as I certainly do not. I figured the fact that they knew me allowed me to at least get an update on how much longer I may have to wait.
I approached the owner of the establishment (Pierre), smiled and asked him if the wait was much longer.
He immediately gets frustrated and defensive and I slowly see things turning ugly. He starts to get loud with me. He tells me that it's busy and that everyone has to wait. At this point I ask him what the point of me making a reservation was, if I still have to wait 40 minutes for a table. He continues to be abusive and says "What? You expect to come in here and find a table waiting for you? What do you think this is?"
Hm, well. Shame on me. I must have misunderstood what a reservation was. At this point, I try to defuse the situation by thanking him and shaking his hand. He reluctantly obliges to shake my hand and says the words I never thought i'd hear "if that's not good enough for you, you can stay or you can leave."
At this point, my heart sunk. It was like an old relationship coming to an end, right in front of my eyes. Like an old girlfriend breaking up with you the night before Valentine's day, the pain cut deep. I promise you folks, never once was I rude, loud or abusive, but I got nothing but diatribe.
I turned around and walked out feeling insulted. I'll never ever be able to slate the food here, it's fantastic, always was, always is. My previous 5 star review is a testament of what I think of it. However, I'll never allow myself to be treated that way at a restaurant. I'll miss Alfredo's.
Shame.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2009
Alfredo's has amazing amazing food. This is the closest you'll get to a Little Italy experience in… Read more »
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Review from Heidi Z.
Atlanta, GA
10/22/2011 4 photos
An Atlanta CLASSIC. Fantastic Italian food, amazing service and the Oldest School environment you could ever hope for. Servings are generous, tasty and priced just right. You have got to go! Ask to sit in Tony's section when you go. He's the bomb.
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Review from Alison B.
3/21/2010 ROTD 11/11/2010
I had intended to give Alfredo's 4 Stars for the 1972 wood-panel decor and uncomfortably small bar area which will not accomodate all of the hungry, eager-to-be-seated patrons, but as it has been 3 days since I dined there and I am still thinking about how delicious my dinner was, an absolutely first rate pasta dish with an unctuous creamy tomato vodka sauce, I think 5 is appropriate after all.
To help explain why I am still fixated on my entree, I must explain my history with a perfectly made vodka sauce...
Many years ago, in Longwood, Florida, there was a tiny little family owned Italian restaurant named Figaro which was "our" restaurant, and my now ex-husband and I went there every single week without fail. Hunter was an adventurous eater and would simply leave the decision making to the chef/ owner who continuously delighted him with creations that were the envy of the other patrons who smelt and saw them be delivered to us in the tiny 8 table max dining room.
I, on the other hand, ordered the same thing every single time: penne al salmone, but made with chicken. It was my first introduction to the lovely pinky-orange perfection which is a well-made tomato vodka sauce. For the 3 years we lived in our first home nearby, I ate that entree at least once a week. When we moved to Oregon, the little neighborhood trattoria and my beloved penne al salmone (with chicken!) were two of the only things, other than my parents, of course, that I really missed about Central Florida.
It has been 15 years, and I have never found a restaurant - until Alfredo's- which makes this entree exactly the way I remember it: creamy, delicately flavored, silky-smooth, studded with tender pieces of chicken breast and topped with a few cracks of black pepper and julienned basil.
When I saw the "Penne Salmone, alla Rita" on Alfredo's classic menu described as "Slivers of fresh salmon sauteed in vodka, shallots, butter, basil, light cream and marinara sauce" I almost squealed in anticipation and when our gracious old-school, stately server agreed at once to have it prepared with chicken for me, I was sold on Alfredo's.
One word for it: PERFECTION.
Oh, and the garlic bread practically dripping with butter, the classic Caesar, and spumoni were all great too, but nothing compares to the taste of that gorgeous penne al chicken, made especially for me.
I will be back! -
Review from B B.
2/1/2011
Bold, boisterous and delicious! Alfredo's is a place to celebrate, to bring energy and enthusiasm, and to enjoy a magnificent, old-fashioned italian dinner.
I thought the food was fantastic. I ordered the Sea Bass special, and it was as lightly textured, flavorful, and fresh as I have ever had. The side dish of pasta was equally good, with the flavor of the pasta and the wonderful tomatoes (Alta Cucina's which they buy whole from California) formed a sauce that was positively distracting.
I asked for a smooth Chianti to accompany dinner, and the bottle they supplied was perfect - no vinegar taste, not too heavy, just right.
The staff are energetic - this is not a place for a quiet, reflective meal. This is a place to enjoy life to the fullest.
We had a great time and will return.
