Al Forno (Wimbledon)

4 of Us had dinner here Sunday 22nd January 2012. Service appalling and staff have attitude. They seem to think that they are doing us a favour by serving us - would never return here, as its not the first time we have encountered awful service in this restaurant.
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4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Sunday, January 29, 2012

Overcooked Monkfish. seabass looks like it got stuck in the toaster.

my wifes food didnt turn up until after everyone else had finished.

you're lucky if your drinks turn up on your table - but they will appear on your bill.

this restaurant (and Wimbledon in general) is not worth the train fare.
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lee s - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, November 12, 2011

Very disapointed ! This is the fourth time I have been to this branch (I much prefer the cosier and friendier one in Putney) and its the fourth time I feel ripped off.

Our food took over an hour to arrive after repeated requests for more information and when it arrived, the food was cold. In fact, the cheese in my Calzone had not even melted! It was watery and devoid of any real taste.

Yes we were a big table (12) but the place seems to specialise in large tables. We were promised a few bottles of wine to compensate. The bottle arrived after we asked for the bill when everyone had pretty much gotten ready to leave. They refused to take two bottles off the bill so the offer was reduced to a few amaretto shooters.

Very poor service and the food was nothing more than average. Will no go back but will go to the one in Putney.
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5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, August 25, 2011

Service in this place has definitely gone down, our waitress was rude and a little weird. The food remains as tasty as ever.

We had kids under 3 and booked a table in advance and asked to book the baby chairs for the table, to which they said fine.

We got there and they said tough 1st come first served, that was our first encounter with our waitress. She tried to be a little arrogant and funny like the head waiters whom are loud and fun, but she did not pull this off.
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Tony
6 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 08, 2011

I simply do not understand the other reviews! Al Forno is one of my favourite places to eat in London. Ok, so it's not Chez Bruce, but it's seriously good quality food, prepared on the spot, with fresh ingredients and lots of love. I LOVE the pizza, and the mussels to start are also a favourite. My friends tell me the steak is also a great choice. The prices are very reasonable and you can always take away left-overs - you've got to be on form to finish a pizza on your own! The atmosphere is bustling but the staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. There is a reason this place is always busy, so don't listen to what anyone else has to say!
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Elizabeth Harris - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Went here first about 6 years ago, it was much smaller, and fantastic value. Slowly the prices went up, portions went down and the service became dreadful. I booked a table at 8.30, was made to wait 45 mins before we got said table,being 8 months pregnant at the time didn't seem to worry them I wasn't even offered a chair!!!! We then ordered immediately but then it was another 45 mins before we got our dinner! If you don't have the room, don't book so many people in, will never go back which is a shame as I used to love it there.
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4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Three visits in as many years to Al Forno and nothing changes. The first visit was on a Saturday lunchtime when we benefitted from a quiet dining room, the two subsequent visits on a Friday night and most recently a Wednesday night have been disappointing. The quality of the food is 'ok' - but certainly no more than that. The speed with which our starters arrived this time leads me to suspect they were sat clingfilmed in a fridge, only a short hop from the microwave. The pizzas were better. Even if you can get over the ultra-twee styling, Al Forno is let down by the fact that it has too many tables in too small a space and the waiting staff appear to serve tables at random - I think we dealt with at least 4 during our short visit. Whilst the staff were courteous, I got the impression that they felt they were doing all that was required of them simply by putting food in front of you (they managed to botch the bill!) Overall, a very ordinary experience at a very average restaurant that I am in no rush to repeat or to recommend.
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John
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Thursday, October 21, 2010

How many times do you have to ask for the bill?

After being pointed to a table, we waited for about 15min for menus which were chucked on our table and then the waiter left. We had a lovely meal but once asked for the bill from our waiter , he decided to go out for a smoke and in no hurry to get it to use, we then asked a colleague for the bill and once our waiter came back in he ignored us, still waiting for the bill. The restaurant was not even busy. Once we had been sitting there for a while we got up to go find the manager to complain but he turned round to us and said, “can’t you see I’m busy, they so cute” and he was looking at a photo album and then proceeded to pass the bill to our waiter who still did not apologise for the delay or having to ask 4 times for the bill. Would we have been in the wrong if we just walked out and not paid the bill? Al Forno Wimbledon- Will not go back.
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2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Sunday, October 03, 2010

went there for the first time and i cant say i thought it was great,the food was ok,but the service was so slow.admittedley they were very busy,but our food was deleverd and we then waited ages for cutlery,had to ask for it 3 times.they were quick to bring the desert menu but then we waited more than half an hour to order so we didnt bother,paid the bill and left.o and our table was pre booked and we ended up sitting in a make shift area.not the best i must say
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sue
3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, April 26, 2010

if you like eating out in a group or maybe with you family or even just with your partner, take my advice try some where else. Al fornos restaurant is probably, no the worst restaurant i have ever been into. Rude arrogant and without any basic skill of service, in fact i don't even understand why they call it a restaurant. But if you're a single young women, i am sure you will get the best attention and a great evening out. An appalling experience.
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chris mays
0 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, December 11, 2009