Alforno's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Flower Mound

My wife and I have visited this place in the past 2 years 3 different times, and unfortunately, the consistency of lack of service and the stigma of prejudice seem to show forth each time we've visited. It's not blatant, but subtile - however elevated enough to be recognized each time we were served there.

Examples of the treatment is being last to receive your drink order (water) while noticing your server had left, went to the kitchen, came back out with a water container, serve a couple more tables, go back to the kitchen, and THEN come back out 5 mins later finally with our water order. Mind you, a couple tables may have already been established, but a couple parties (as we observed the room) may have came after we did, but was rendered their drink order qnd bread before us.

We've seen the bread that came out the prior times we were present were made a certain way (which we've noticed other tables received this past time) but when we got our bread, it looked very well done and pretty greasy from the oil and garlic. Again, my wife and I have been here 2 different times from a year or two apart hoping that maybe after the 1st time this place may have just had "bad days". With the hope of returning, we looked forward to better food and service but was disappointed each time.

Food: my wife complained about the meal she had lacked flavor. She ordered thr chicken with crab meat and shrimp special they were advertising on their blackboard in the front. I pretty much have been consistent and ordered the lobster ravioli, and I can say that the sauce is consistent but sometimes the ingredients like the ravioli have not been.

If it wasn't for one of the servers (that offered refills) to bring us a to go sack (in consideration of our welfare), this rating would be a step lower as our main server was pretty dismissive and underlined tolerant of our presence. Proof of my observation is asking another server to summon our server so that we could give our order (as my wife and I finally decided what we both wanted). I saw the requested server go to our main server to get his attention, and the reaction on his face was disgust (as if he didn't want to come over here)... Our server didn't know that where he stood, I could still see him! But instead of calling him out and elevating the issue, my hope was that my wife and I would just enjoy each other.

My last example of feeling treated in a uncomfortable way is the hovering of our main server after bringing the check out for me to pay for our meal (as if we may walk out if he were to step away).

I've realized that this is one of the places that may not want people like me and my wife around. We're people of excellence and respectful, but demographically we were the "different ones" in the room. I later observed how others were served. I noticed as a bi-product of our past experience how everything transpired and even later compared it to our last 2 times (that were months to years apart) to finally come to this conclusion: We tried to give this place 2 more chances, but ultimately, we should have went to Olive Garden or another reputable Italian restaurant.

At least the live music...

Went here for the first time. I have driven by countless times and it always seems busy and this small family restaurant made it through COVID so support local business. Time of day about 7pm

Atmosphere - meh... It's a typical "restaurant" feel. Could be much better, way to bright for a dinner. Attempted Italian decor. They had live music and he was okay. Older piano singer guy.

Service our waitperson was a nice lady worked there for years she said. We ordered and she was friendly and attentive. My wife ordered the cheese ravioli and I "ordered" veal marsala not of us with house salad. And calamari for an app. She brought bread and diablo sauce to start.

Food.. the bread was okay. Not a lot of flavor but the diablo sauce. (spicy marinara) was very tasty. The calamari came out and it 'looked good' and the order was a lot. The flavor, none. Zip. Tasted like chewy fried chewy. The sauce was just another version of marinara. But the little calamari were completely flavorless. No seasoning at all. The salad was just a normal house iceberg mix, dressing was tasty. Way over dressed. Entrees - wife ravioli was really good. Great flavor and large portion. My veal marsala was not brought but instead I was given veal parmesan, wait staff, simply put in the wrong order. I like veal parmesan so I was 'its okay'. Again, large portion and great flavor. Cooked perfectly crispy breading. Perfect sauce / cheese ratio.

Overall Atmosphere 6/10 Service 7/10 (order mistake) Food apps 3/10 Food main 8/10

Would return for the mains. But wouldn't...

I stumbled upon this Italian restaurant while driving through the Irving area, and although the parking lot was nearly empty when I arrived and left, I was pleasantly surprised by the food and service. There were only a few customers, but that didn’t reflect the quality.

I ordered the crabcakes, which initially gave me pause because they came with a brown gravy that seemed unusual for crab. However, once I took a bite, I was blown away! Even though the crabcakes didn’t have lump crab meat, the flavor was fantastic, and I’d definitely order them again.

The side salad was a bit underwhelming, almost like it came from a pre-packaged grocery bag, but the house dressing was excellent and nearly made up for the lackluster salad itself.

For my main entrée, I had the shrimp and scallop Fradiavolo. It had a nice spicy kick and was loaded with generous chunks of shrimp and large scallops—no baby scallops here! I was impressed with how well the flavors came together.

The service was fantastic as well. My waiter, Sammy, was super attentive and friendly. He made sure I had everything I needed and even helped package my leftovers to go.

If you’re in the Irving area and craving homemade Italian food, I highly recommend stopping by this place. It’s a hidden gem with great flavors and...