Al Forno — Restaurant in London

I recently dined at Al Forno , a cozy spot in the heart of the city known for its authentic Italian cuisine. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with rustic decor that gave it a traditional Italian feel. The service was attentive, and the staff were friendly, providing helpful recommendations from the menu.

As for the food, it did not disappoint. I started with the bruschetta, which was perfectly toasted with fresh tomatoes and basil. For the main course, I had the pasta carbonara, which was creamy and rich, with just the right balance of flavors. My dining companion opted for the margherita pizza, and the crust was light and crispy, topped with fresh mozzarella and basil. Dessert was a highlight — the tiramisu was indulgent, with layers of coffee-soaked sponge and mascarpone that melted in your mouth.

However, one thing detracted from the overall experience: the cleanliness of the facilities. The toilets were unfortunately smelly, which was surprising given the restaurant’s otherwise high standards. It was an unpleasant discovery and felt out of place for a restaurant of this caliber.

In conclusion, while the food and service were top-notch, the issue with the toilets did affect the overall experience. I hope they address this soon, as Al Forno has the potential to be an outstanding dining spot. We enjoyed the food...

Went in at 10pm & the waiter advises me they're closing at 11pm. Not only this but they made this obvious for the whole time I was there. Every other restaurant I've been to in my time close their doors at their closing time but still serve the customers that are seated. So I ordered starters only to be told that they can only do garlic bread. I asked why, you which the reply was "we close in an hour & everything else takes too long". So I ordered bruschetta, which took just over 120 seconds to arrive with the waiter rushing it to my table like the world was about to end. I can't fault the starter, it was good & I was hungry. Then came the margarita pizza which was ready & at my table before I even got close to finishing my starter. I only ate the outer half as the inner circle was raw, mushy, rubbery & treated like plastic. The waiter didn't even ask if it was ok, did I enjoy the meal, etc. He came to my table whilst I was still eating & took payment 20 minutes before their closing time. Food - disappointing Service - disappointing Price - reasonable I will not be visiting this...

Delicious little Italian restaurant in Shepherds Bush with an inner seating area and the ambience, music and decor gives it a cozy, relaxed vibe throughout. My penne dish and cheese garlic bread were tasty and service received was very responsive, unrushed and welcoming. I also noticed there were feedback from recent customers complaining about their food being too salty, microwaved and not fresh but based on someone who dines at various types of restaurants for lunch/dinner as a keen food hobbyist/enthusiast on average 3-4 times a week in London, I disagree as my meal wasn't anything like how these customers had described. My pasta was not hard, chewy or overly soft, the sauce had the ideal thickness with a consistent creamy texture (not too thin or runny) and the little spicy chicken pieces that accommodated it was tasty, seasoned, plentiful and most importantly, flavourful. The cheese garlic pizza which seemed popular wasn't any issue either and although it was on the thin and light side, I preferred that. Overall, recommended and keen to try their...