Al Forno Restaurant

We had the grilled octopus and fennel salad with blood orange.
I had the veal special with onion rings and my partner had the flat iron steak.
We shared the mini cake dessert.
Everything was amazingly prepared and delicious.

Matt is outstanding.
We came in without reservations and waited for awhile, and he was very patient and kind and flexible.
We started outside and the grilled margarita, squash blossom and ribeye meatballs were fast and perfect.
Then, the rain! We had no choice but to bail on the table and find cover and within 10 minutes, Matt set us up inside.
We were happy to take our chicken parm, dirty steak and gnocchi home but he insisted we stay and we did.
The takeout was a fun twist to the evening - chicken was steamed from the lids but still great, and we can only imagine how perfect it would be as it should be eaten.
The pasta needed more sauce but I swapped it for what they would have sent it out with and that pasta (someone else had it) was perfect.
We will be back.

Oh my goodness I cannot even give al Forno enough stars.
A friend recommended this as we were going to be just one night in Providence.
He suggested the corn pizza which sounded so an appetizing.
However walking up to the restaurant we happen to meet one of the chefs, Phil.
My boyfriend is a foodie and had some engaging conversation about what we should get.
We totally took his recommendation of the corn pizza as well as the duck home feet.
We did not have a reservation but the hostess suggested we grab a drink at one of the three bars and she would find us.
I thought that was pretty special that she would just come find us and she did.
We got a lovely table by a window.
But while waiting for our table and having a drink I set my martini on the bench next to me a gentleman walked by brought a paper napkin and politely put it under my drink for me.
It was actually Matt the manager who introduced himself and I was grateful.
That was the beginning of the most amazing service and attention to detail.
We felt like we were celebrities.
We ordered the corn pizza and oh my goodness it was ridiculously good.
The crispy thin crust with the most amazing sauce and fresh corn was an incredible marriage of flavors.
We also had the duck cold feet which was served with a deck reduction and cherries.
It was accompanied by a bit of mashed potatoes.
Again mind-blowing! Matt checked on us the chef came out as he obviously recognized the order.
And with some conversation you could see how much everyone including our server I apologize I don't remember his name maybe Ivan all loved what they did.
I'm sorry I forgot to take pictures before I was halfway through everything but it is memorable in my mind and in my mouth.