Al Fresco

Italian food on Sheikh Zayed Road Reviews

From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2008

Don’t be fooled by the moniker, there are only a handful of outdoor tables up for grabs. Inside you’ll find an open kitchen with the chef hurling pizza dough up in the air.

The simple checked table cloths and the usual Goodfellas Italian music humming away in the background really give this place the feel of a good old fashioned ‘Mom and Pop’ pizzeria.

When it comes to the food, Al Fresco is a restaurant that delivers on all counts, although maybe a little slowly if we’re being picky. From the soft warm breads right at the start of the meal, all the way to the main courses and desserts, this restaurant prides itself on preparing simple traditional Italian dishes well, never over-complicating a plate with too many ingredients.

The pasta dishes are flavoursome, and the meat and fish courses are cooked to perfection. The pizzas are thin and crispy, with a few fresh ingredients, just like pizza should be.

This place merits a repeat visit.


By Time Out Dubai staff

Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

Details

    Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
  • Tel: 04 319 8088
  • Travel: Sheikh Zayed Road
  • Website | Send mail
  • Cuisine: Arabic, Lebanese
  • Experiences: Outdoor
  • Times: Open Sat-Thu 12.30pm-3pm, 8pm-midnight; Fri 1pm-3pm, 8pm-midnight
  • Price: Dhs350-500
  • Credit Cards Accepted: Yes

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User reviews

ValueAmbienceService
DecorFoodOverall
  • Users voted this restaurant most suitable for: Family friendly
Posted by: Lucy on 21 Oct ' 09 at 08:33
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Business lunch
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? No

If it didn't call itselt Italian, there would no way of telling that it is just from the way it looks. The decor feels like it was scrambled together from whatever the cheapest options of various fittings were available. Outdoor "terrace" with poor neon lighting and off-white marble tiles (whether originally or faded due to time) resembles nothing more than a restroom and should probably only be used as a smoking area once the effort is put into redecorating it.
The menu is rather simple with nothing unexpected, although puzzling as to why they've decided to put pork dishes on a separate page when there are only 5 of them including starters. There was no wine list and waiting staff had to list the wines verbally.
Potato gnocchi in creamy mushroom sauce were too mushy and lacked a lot of taste while the mushrooms were bitter. Tagliatelle not only tasted store bought but was also stuck together in an odd pile in the center of the plate; thankfully, prawns were not overcooked but the tomato sauce was very weak. Mains portion sizes were large enough for two but it's no help when even one does not want to finish them. Luckily, Italian pinot grigio was decent enough to be enjoyed on its own. Baked cheesecake was too dry and the ice cream on top of it tasted like there was nothing but vanilla in it along with a completely frozen centre. The assortment of Italian pastries was delicious but microscopic and thus not very satisfying.
This place might be best suited for business people staying at the hotel and even then the prices should be reduced for making anyone go through a meal there. Alternatively, they could try a complete makeover in every field except service.

Posted by: Lyndsay Iles on 06 Sep ' 09 at 14:36
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Matteo on 04 Apr ' 09 at 07:19
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Always a good choice.

A good pasta and a bottle of Frascati - Al Fresco is value for money

Forget all other restaurants in 5 stars hotel

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