Al Fresco

My girlfriend and I decided to stop by Al Fresco after being told numerous times by a roaming staff member named Riccardo that it's one of the best seafood restaurants in the area.



When we arrived there around 9:45pm on a Wednesday, there was only one other table occupied, and they were in the process of settling their bill. Our initial reaction was to leave, but since I read several good reviews, we decided to give it a shot.



First round of drinks and one appetizer was on the house. The waiting staff is very friendly and attentive. However, the decor leaves a lot to be desired. The establishment is basically an open air square box, with minimal decorations or designs. I would rate the food as average at best -- we ordered the mussels in garlic&white wine, crab cakes, and the pasta in marinara sauce. The mussels were bland and very tough, with only a slight hint of garlic, if at all. The pasta had a nice spiciness to it that gave it some flavor, but again, the crabcake was very bland. All in all, it was an OK dining experience. The prices being charged at Al Fresco is typical of what is being charged back in the states for similar dishes, but serving size is a bit on the small size, even for someone who doesn't eat much like myself.

There are definitely better seafood joints around, but if you are in the area, it wouldn't hurt to try it. The freebies are definitely enticing.