Al Fresco
146 W Plant St,Ste 140, Winter Garden, FL, 34787
Al Fresco Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Winter Garden for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Winter Garden for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Winter Garden for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
146 W Plant St,Ste 140
Winter Garden, FL, 34787 - Phone (407) 654-5889
- Website https://www.alfrescowintergarden.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Jeff H.
So Monday night with my wife and I at a table and one other table in the restaurant. We ordered the tomato bisque and the strawberry salad. My wife seemed to enjoy her salad, however, I thought the soup lacked any depth of flavor and all I could taste was a very bitter undertone. couldn't eat it. The entrees were the seared pork loin and the slow roasted fish, which was said to be mutton snapper over puttunesca sauced linguine. The pork was described by the waiter to come medium, however it was med well. But my wife enjoyed the dish. The Mutton snapper was disappointing. Over cooked and dry and the jury is out as to whether it was snapper at all. The sauce looked like it was left over from the weekend and didn't resemble any puttunesca i've ever had before. And the linguine was way over cooked as well. On a positive note, all the vegetables on my wife's entree were cooked properly and tasted good. Since I didn't have much to eat, i munched on hers. So after seeing the food go back to the kitchen, apparently the owner told the waiter not to present a check to us since the waiter came over and said so. My wife would have liked to have dessert, but we felt that they were just trying to get rid of us. It would have been nice for the owner to man up and come over to the table. Since the pork was ok, I probably would have given them a second chance, but the way they handled us, I felt very angry and patronized. I will not return and cannot give a positive review.
(2)D. M.
New place and we try to support local restaurants & businesses. Overall: Kinda hit and miss. Atmosphere: It was nice. Upscale...simple...clean...airy...lots of windows. Service: We'll giving them the benefit of the doubt on service because they'd just opened a couple weeks earlier and they were packed with lots of people heading over to the theater next door for a show. Our waitress literally disappeared for 10 minutes at one point. She did apologize repeatedly and service was actually good once the theater crowd left, but it happened. Also, lots of tables had dirty plates left on them during our entire meal. Food: It was very good. We like the concept. Fresh foods, locally grown, made to order, healthy, etc. Good menu selection without overloading you with options. Pretty much everything was good to very good. Value: Not there. I realize they're going a little 'upscale' and everything is fresh, local, etc, but this was very disappointing. $20 for ravioli...OK...but it was literally THREE ravioli, some sauce, garnish and a bread stick. $23 for chicken...OK...but it was literally three or four bites of chicken & a side of veggies. Verdict: We did like the place...will probably try them out in a few months after they've had a chance to work the kinks out.
(3)Melissa S.
Ate there for dinner tonight and the food was wonderful! Everything from appetizer to entree was excellent. Definitely recommend.
(5)D A.
Bought a TravelZoo deal for 4 people. The only limitations listed were wines of up to $8 per glass. The Manager proceeded to show us numerous vouchers from other patrons indicating a limit of $30 per entree which wasn't indicated on our voucher. That took about 20 mins while she stopped and had a chat with the chef in between while we sat and waited. She came back saying she will "stand my ground and i can not serve you". Incredibly ridiculous customer service. Once we gave up, we waited 15 mins for someone else to come and get our order. Between the appetizers and entree, 1 hour and 15 minutes passed. Felt like they were slowing down on purpose. We came in and 4 other tables came in after us. All of them were done at least 20 mins before us. Restaurants use TravelZoo, Groupon etc to promote a new restaurant and/or they are hoping for a last piece of business before closing their doors. This place probably went for promoting however it failed miserably. Not only am I not coming again EVER, I am investing 15 mins of my time on the drive back home to write this review. I will also steer people away from this place which kind of sucks as I am the Assistant General Manager of a hotel in the tourist areas and send guest to restaurants in Winter Garden daily. Awful service more pronounced as it was received from the leader of the team, the Manager.
(1)Anne F.
We really wanted to love this restaurant since we are big fans of local mom & pop types of places. We've given it 2 chances and were disappointed both times. The first time was a while back. We ordered take out. We had the Paella and some of the mussels were raw. We thought it was a take out fluke. We tried sit down serve this past Monday night at 7. The restaurant was half full. We ordered 4 meals for a party of six. The server kept telling us that he promised that our food would be done in "1 minute". The 3rd time he came around he stated that they were holding all our food to ensure that my chicken was done. (This is just a chicken breast.) I told him to please bring all of the other food since we had 4 hungry children at the table. He just brought the meal my daughters were sharing. Again, I asked him to bring all of the other food. He brought my husbands and my dinner then told my son that since his clams were fresh, they were taking longer to cook. He then brought my son a smaller portion of my husbands meal for him to try while waiting. This was a seafood dish that included mussels that my son is allergic to. Luckily the shell was empty. My son's meal was not ready until I asked for the check after we all finished our meal. Although they comped my son's meal, we still paid $110 dollars for poor kitchen coordination and not that great food. We had the following: Chicken dinner Seafood rigatoni Shrimp dinner 2 bowls of cream of mushroom soup 1 cup of cream of mushroom soup 1 coke 5 tap water 1 clam linguini (comped)
(1)Janis P.
We visited friends in the area and they took us to alFresco. We will definitely go there again when we come back. We had a wonderful trio of dips for appetizers, including a cucumber dill yogurt dip, spicy feta cheese, and a hummus. My husband had a veal porterhouse for dinner and I had grouper over risotto. Excellent. We were with a large group and everyone was pleased with their meals. Casual and relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff. When in Winter Garden area it is worth a trip.
(5)jennifer l.
Had the snapper fish special & the fresh herb ravioli... Delicious!!!
(4)A F.
I've been to al Fresco for lunch three times now (but can't vouch for their dinner as I've never had it). Each time, I've enjoyed the meal, whether pasta, salad, soup, or sandwiches. Their dips are also tasty, we get the sampler of all 4 each time we go with a bigger crowd. My last visit may have been a fluke but a couple things didn't sit right with me, the first being that they said the dips would come with pita chips (which were clearly out of a bag) instead of warm flatbread because they were "out of flatbread." Yet somehow they conveniently had flatbread available for the gyro platters that my husband and I ordered? Obviously they wanted to take a shortcut on their menu without admitting it was a shortcut. The veggies that came with the dips were also rather limp and unappetizing. Our sandwiches and pasta were still delicious. Service has always been good at al Fresco, so no complaints there. Prices are reasonable when you factor in the (usual) freshness and tastiness of everything they serve. I will definitely continue to go back, and hopefully my most recent experience was a one-time thing.
(3)Mathias B.
Excellent food! I never had a bad experience and I have eaten there at least 15 times. I love the Paella for dinner and the club sandwich for lunch with a side of faroh salad. Also, The staff is very friendly.
(5)Jason C.
Always a warm welcome from this team. Even better the food is always fresh. I got to know the owners that used to work for the Gaylord. They know the business and what creates success. Lunch or dinner you can not go wrong. I wish their outside seating was a bit better, but I believe there is more development coming to the backside of downtown WG. Get the hummus and any fresh pasta dish. Great local restaurant.
(5)Rick j.
Nice food selection and very accommodating staff. We keep coming back. One thing - pass on the Paella. Was kinda dry the other night, but they took it back and had some excellent salmon instead.
(4)D C.
Let me start off by saying this has been one of my favorite places to eat in downtown winter garden for lunch. The manini is a game changer. But if I had to tell others about this place I would say its "five star food with one star service." Every Saturday it seems we come after the farmers market and the place is under staffed and the wait for food doubles. Today for instance we ate here and had empty glasses for the majority of the meal, my mother ordered chicken on her salad and we asked two different servers about it and they seemed completely disinterested (went the whole meal and never came). It has become a trend that when they "mess up" they are unapologetic and do nothing to remedy the situation. There was a couple that was seated next to us and they waited for over 15 minutes and were not even approached by a waiter and walked out in disgust. There is no manager presence to right this ship and unless something changes I'm not sure I'll be back. We live just down the street and like supporting local places but I'm not sure I can recommend this place anymore.
(2)Clare J.
Saturday evening, January 26th 2013 - 9.20pm Walked in a little late for this area so the restaurant only had about 15 others in when we arrived, but we were welcomed warmly and seated in Ariel's service area. Service: Exemplary. Very friendly, knowledgeable and warm. Water & Sangria kept topped up without asking Meals delivered in a timely manner, but not rushed. Food: We shared the charcuterie plate and some olives - both were delicious and plentiful. Hubby had the braised short rib pasta which was fabulously rich and homey, I had the Florida Shrimp & garden risotto. Risotto was one of the best I've had, shrimp were a little over cooked for me, but that was the only flaw in the dish.. We shared a tres leche cake, served in a ramekin. It was moist and not overly sweet.. yummy! We will be back, this was our 1st time. We had two carafes of Sangria which pushed up the check, but it was all worth the money Recommended
(4)Doug T.
Catering Review. We have recently used al Fresco as our wedding caterer, but what we received was so much more. Though Lynn from al Fresco started as our caterer, she ended up becoming our contact for the Garden Ballroom on Plant street as well as being a contact for some of our other vendors. By the end, she had taken ownership of nearly our entire reception, including organizing, setting up our centerpieces, adapting to our very specific needs, and flawlessly executing the wedding reception of a lifetime. Lynn and her team drastically exceeded our expectations. Our initial contact involved us giving her a description of exactly what we wanted, and the price we had budgeted for. Our next was to explain how we wanted our reception to be set up, how we wanted our centerpieces to look, and the way we wanted the ballroom decorated, since this was something she began to take ownership of. She took the ideas that we gave her, and turned them into a reception that went far beyond what we had envisioned. Anytime we had a need, she was there to fix it. Anything we were missing, she found it. I cannot express enough how impressed we were with her attention to detail, her flexibility, her commitment to our needs, her utmost professionalism, and oh by the way the delicious food. And she was able to do all of this for the budget we set. The food and the service was actually worth far more than we paid. The staff was professional, hard working, and courteous. My bride, our guests, and this carnivorous groom were all extremely satisfied. Thank you to Lynn, your team, and all of al Fresco for a truly unforgettable night.
(5)Melanie O.
Service was great. Beer selection is lacking, especially the craft beers. Food was just ok and the entrees seemed a little pricey for this restaurant. Atmosphere was a little noisy and tables were much to close together. And then there is the restroom issue.....you must leave the restaurant and go upstairs to the restroom that is shared by all of the businesses in the building. I understand they are trying to be environmentally friendly, but it's a little inconvenient. One thing we did really like was our server was willing to go to the restaurant next door to get us a beer. They have a better selection over there and apparently they do this quite often.
(3)Amy N.
I was here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. It was open and I had a very nice experience. Lynn one if the owners was our server and she was very warm and welcoming. My friend and I met for lunch and we had hummus (eggplant) as an appetizer and split the tomato mozzarella basil panini sandwich with the homemade fries and glass of sangria. It was all very good. The veggies are grown on the rooftop greenhouse and the tomatoes were delicious! The fries were very good along with the eggplant hummus. The sangria is freshly made and very refreshing. I think this listing needs to be updated because it's open on Sunday, one of a few places open. Downtown Winter Garden is under a revamp with new shops, restaurants, etc, but they need to open up on Sunday in order to bring the people in to discover a place like al Fresco. I really hope they can survive. Well worth a visit!
(5)ian r.
First visit. Really nice vibe Mario the waiter did a great job Seafood bisque was truly standout. Haute cuisine quality. Everything evidently fresh Excellent presentation and great flavours v My pork tenderloin was undercooked but only towards the end of the joint Great flavouring Pasta was obviously homemade and cooked perfectly This is no Olive Garden or Carrabas it's much better Menu could do with more options but its evident the people that own and run this place are passionate about food I felt like we were in a New York City dinner. Great decor Will return mot definitely but more menu especially specials needed Very funky bathroom arrangement seems to be the norm for Mayberry. Sorry dt winter garden All in all very enjoyable evening
(4)Annette G.
Lovely place for dinner in Winter Garden. I made the trip especially to have dinner there, and it was worth it. Slow service, but not annoyingly so. It felt more like they wanted you to sit and stay a while, enjoy your meal and finish the wine. No rush. Very cool spot.
(4)Ren H.
Great burger! Hand cut fries are yummy. Friendly service. simple menu with local ingredients.
(4)Martin R.
I really hate when I want to like a place but just don't. al Fresco just does not live up to its promise. The location if nice, the atmosphere is fine. I love the dedication to local sustainable food. Unfortunately, food and service just don't measure up. I have had lunch here twice with my wife Mimi. The first time I had the short rib sandwich. It was just flavorless. The second time, I had the burger. I ordered it medium rare and it came out medium well. I would have told someone, if anyone bothered to ask, or come to the table at all for that matter.. The burger was dominated by a red pepper sauce that overpowered the the other ingredients. It was certainly not worth the nearly 40 minute wait. Service was disinterested. No one there seemed to care in the least. Too bad. This place could have been a gem.
(2)Blanca B.
Went to this new restaurant, excited to try it. The hostess did such a horrible job with us that we ended up leaving! Not sure if we're willing to try again!
(1)Christie R.
The food and service were the best we have had in Orlando. Love it!
(5)Manuel A.
Just had our daughteer's 21st birthday dinner at Al Fresco and we had as good an experience with a large dinner party (13) as one can ask for. My wife went to Al Fresco first with a business group a week ago. She came home raving about her salad and service. So we scouted the place 1st over lunch and met Lynn. Great host and personality. You can tell right away she loves what she's doing and she is good at it. We talked about the particulars for the party, listened to her recommendations, created a fixed 3 course evening, preselected the snagria selections (an easy choice both red and blonde) and we brought the dessert (birthday cakes of course...). The night went without a hitch - they were ready when we arrived, and as our guests filed in at their own pace. Having pre-selected the 3 courses made it very easy to get everything brought in at the right time and without delays or mishaps. Our dedicated server was great at accomodating any special or small requests (soft drinks, extra plates for the cake, coffee, extra chairs etc., etc. ) Besides great service, the food is also wonderful, flavorful (thanks to those fresh ingredients) and the mediterranean twists works here perfectly in an area where variety in restaurant offerings was very limited. A cheese "tabla" with a balanced mix of blue cheese, manchego, edam, and gouda, sliced almonds and honey, fresh fruits (strawberries, blue berries and black berries), accompanied by different breads including the amazing hot of the grill "nan" or pita triangles, followed by spanish cantipalo chorizo al vinho. For dinner we had pre-ordered two styles of paellas; seafood (clams, mussles, shrimp, chorizo) and chicken and chorizo for a few non-seafood eaters in out party. Both were awesome and plenty enough that everyone ate very well and still we had enough left over for a second dinner the next day. Lynn and Edwin came by the table serveral times and were great hosts despite having an almost full restaurant. We recommend Al Fresco without any reservations. Are they perfect? No, not yet (hard liquor licenses are still in process and the expresso coffee makers are not there yet - however, if you ask nicely enough one of the servers will go next door and fetch you a fresh expresso from the AXIOM Cafe!!! How's that for service above and beyond expectations???!!!). However, being a new restaurant and getting terrific word of mouth around town, they are not far off from being a great successful restaurant. We wish them the very best because we want to keep comimg back regularly. So if you are around the Winter Garden area, stop by and try them out. Ask for Lynn or Edwin and say hi - you won't regret it!
(5)Haley H.
A must try...everything I ate was amazing! The hummus is unbelievable and yummy sangria! Looking forward to going back...service was attentive and very friendly! Great place to dine and then stroll and check out downtown Wintergarden :). Definitely recommend!!!
(5)Alyson M.
What a wonderful addition to the downtown Winter Garden area! The food was delicious and really hit the spot...fresh, seasoned to perfection, and beautifully presented. Our server was welcoming, warm, and attentive. They told us they would have live music on most Saturday evenings (flamenco guitarists?!) to accompany dinner service, so we look forward to coming back! Thank you, Al Fresco!!
(5)Ken W.
Ok...but needs work. Here's my summary of our dinner last Saturday evening. 1. The restaurant itself is very inviting and has a cool look. it's a big open space so its easy to watch all the action. 8/10 2. The service - Our server was nice and the manager did stop by. But after about 10 minutes everything fell apart. Drinks took forever. Table never got bused. The table next to us still hadn't been bused and the check was still on the table when we left. At one point our server disappeared for most of our dinner. I get that its a new place and it was busy but this was unacceptable. I wouldn't go back for at least a month so hopefully they can work the bugs out. 3/10 3. The food - The menu was interesting and prices seemed OK. That was until the dishes arrived. All tasted good but were tiny for the prices being charged. No value here at all. I mean a pasta dish with only 4 ravioli for $20 please. We ordered the peach cobbler for dessert. It was completely cold and never should have left the kitchen. 5/10. It has potential but better get its act together quick if it wants to make it.
(2)Jim D.
We just happened upon this place walking out of the Farmers Market in Wintergarden. The food is very fresh as are all farm to table restaurants. They have a variety of choices with a Mediterranean flare. I had the falafel wrap with a side salad. It was delicious. I hear the brunch is wonderful, and we will be back. If you are looking for something with great atmosphere and fresh food, you have found your tucked away gem in Wintergarden.
(4)Kamlesh P.
The food was amazing!!!! However, the service could use some fine tuning. We sat down at 2:40ish before lunch was about to close. Not sure if they just went through a big lunch crowd or what but I had to ask for a refill on my iced tea three times in a 10 min period and after waiting again for Another 5 mins I took it upon myself to go to the bar and refill it myself to find the waitress along with the other waitress (that was setting up for dinner) on the phone looking at something. Seriously!?? The next round of my tea I didn't even bother asking, I just walked right up to the bar and refilled it myself and no one that worked there even blinked. Oh and during all this the whole restaurant was empty except for one other table since lunch hour was pretty much over. The seasoned fries and hot bread basket ($4) is a must!! Would I go back again? Yes! Does the waitress need some training on how to service, yes! Maybe she just wasn't trained on when a customer requests something (like a refill) try and get it to them within 20 mins or before they ask the 4th time If it weren't for that incidence 5stars was in the cards!
(3)Patricia D.
What a fantastic brunch! There are two options to choose from, either the brunch buffet with unlimited mimosas and house sangria or you can order from the menu. We went for the buffet because everything looked amazing! The selection is good because the different stations cater to those who eat everything (me!), vegetarian and gluten free options. It's brunch with a Mediterranean flare. I started with their bread and dipping station with freshly made hummus and other dipping sauces, then the fresh smoked salmon. Meats & cheeses were fresh, the chef carving station had lamb and overnight roasted turkey breast. My friend made little mini gyros with the shaved lamb, fresh tzatziki sauce and pita bread which was delicious. They were constantly putting out fresh grilled asparagus, squash, and other yummy veggies with roasted potatoes, and paella so everything was tasty and hot. You can order a few items a la carte as part of the fixed price such as pancakes, omelets or their stuffed French toast which is stuffed with cream cheese nutty goodness. It was so good, we ordered an extra one and felt no shame. I was so stuffed, I never made it to the salad, pasta or dessert station but will be back. Very attentive, friendly servers who keep that delicious sangria glasses topped off so you are never running empty. The only strange thing is the restrooms are outside and you have to take elevator to 2nd floor. Certainly not a big deal, just different.
(5)Lola B.
I just want to say.. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA!! The chef is phenomenal food is delicious!! I mean everywhere in Central Florida Winter Park, Baldwin Park Longwood, Sand Lake Road this is the best restaurant in Winter Garden it's the best one I've been to in central Florida.
(5)Armando G.
I am giving alFresco 4 stars based on the dinner my gf and I experienced several months ago, however, the lunch my friends and I received today was only slightly above average. Today we started the meal with their hummus, marinated olives and great Spicy Feta dip. The hummus was average, couldn't say how it really differed from hummus you'd buy at the supermarket though. The olives were tasty, but probably not worth another purchase. Now the spicy feta was truly delicious; it was a nice creamy dip with large feta crumbles and a slight spice. I ordered the Signature Burger, which is a generously sized party of beef/chorizo topped with onions, red pepper sauce and manchego cheese. The burger was tasty, but surprisingly what stood out was my side Farro Salad. I'm not really one to be impressed by a salad, but the citrus vinaigrette really worked well with the farro and onions. My gf ordered the Falafel wrap with a side of their potato wedges. The wedges were seasoned well and tasted even better when dipped into the previously mentioned spicy feta dip, but the wrap itself was bland based off the bites she let me steal. I don't recall the service being stellar or horrible during our first meal here, but the service today was a bit of a let down. There were several open tables, but for some reason the food took much too long to arrive. I'd also say that our beverages were not refilled in a timely manner. If they were slammed then I'd understand, but at half capacity I don't see why we can't receive the attentive service any diner would deserve.
(4)Regina K.
Came here for lunch and tried a salad. They have a garden upstairs on the roof which is a really great concept and you can tell the ingredients are fresh. The food was good, but seems to be overhyped and overpriced for what's supposed to be a farm to table restaurant. Might come back for dinner to see if I change my mind.
(4)Tess M.
This place has always been my favorite in WG. Fresh veggies and always seasoned well. Love their salads. It is also nice that they are tucked in the back for privacy and quite. I hear they have their own garden at the rooftop top. That is very awesome.
(4)Brenda B.
Great atmosphere, appears a little upscale, great food! Reasonably priced. I had the tziki with pita bread and tomato soup it was awesome! The special was pulled BBQ sandwich which was Very yummy!
(4)Alvin B.
Went last night with my family, great service, solid selection of drinks and the food was outstanding. Definitely adding to our restaurant rotation.
(4)Danielle F.
Delicious food!! I have tried something new each time and have loved it. The selection of food and drinks is great, especially the sangria! It would be nice to see a little more variety, but we absolutely love all the dishes we have tried there!!!
(4)Jerry V.
Fantastic! Have been here several times and haven't had a bad experience yet! Everything is fresh and local! Had the Strawberry Blonde Salad with Grilled Salmon! Excellent! A true gem in Winter Garden!
(4)Aaron H.
I was introduced to this culinary splendor named alFresco during a video shoot that I was doing with Sysco Central Florida. The head chef, Edwin Martinez, was one of their clients. What I quickly realized was that he had some of the most striking blue eyes I'd ever seen... and one glorious beard... Why is this guy NOT on Food Network?! He played so well on camera that I wondered how well his kitchen skills matched his good looks (Ok, enough of my five-second man crush...) Holy cow... my crew and I were treated by Chef Edwin to an off-the-menu manchego cheese flatbread with blackened chicken, arugula, and a (for-the-life-of-me-I-cannot-remember-what-kind-Âof) fruity glaze... it was incredible! But since we had to share it amongst the four of us, we were left hungry for more food (well played, Chef!!) I ordered the Signature Burger, which is made of beef and chorizo suasage, and came with these marvelously seasoned (flashed) fries. This was honestly one of the best burgers I've had. So tender and fresh, with the right amount of kick, and a great balance between the two meats. I was convinced that I'd be back again. After raving my wife to death about alFresco, we finally found the time last Friday to trek across town and try it out for dinner. Here's what we had... - The Spicy Feta Dip... a semi-hot blend of feta cheese with chunks of olives and grilled pita bread. It was fantastic. - The Florida Shrimp... made with a garlic and wine glaze. Good overall, plus the presentation was top-notch. But the taste was not nearly as great as the feta dip. - The Southern Gentleman... one of their signature cocktails, infusing whiskey with locally-grown strawberries, mixed with maple syrup and lemon juice. While I do appreciate the creativity, this drink was a little too sweet for me. - The Chef's Signature Paella... a ring of juicy mussels surounded a bright and delightful mountain of rice with chorizo chunks, clams, shrimp, and peas. This time the presentation was matched (perhaps even outdone) by the flavor. It was so filling (the 2-person portion can probably serve 3) that we had to take some home with us. - The Chocolate Mousse Cake and Sweet Potato Flan... the flan (a brand-new menu item) was perfect... not too sweet, nor too soft or soggy. The mousse was a bit too heavy for both of us. But A-HA!!... double-dipping these desserts yields an interesting combination, with every bite melting nicely in my mouth (and hers). Go ahead... give it a whirl... I dare ya. ;-) All in all, we were very pleased with our experience. The menu was moderately priced too (our bill was $85). We definitely plan to return soon (would love to give the braised short ribs a try). My advice... if you're doing Winter Garden, do alFresco, and make sure to thank Chef Edwin and his heavenly eyes for brightening your day (or evening)! ;-)
(4)Tanya O.
The menu is great. We enjoyed the ambiance. The children's menu is a bit limited but no big deal. The grown-ups were happy. Love having this establishment in the area.
(5)William S.
Thanks to Yelp, we chose another perfect spot. We ate at the bar, as usual. Bartender, Kelsey, was very helpful and personal. We love her! If we lived her we would come every week. We chose two dips for our apps. Spicy feta and the hummus. Comes with toasted pita. If you love feta get this dip. After that, we tried two of the soups. The house Chicken, Lemon, and Rice was great. Again, if you love lemon try it. Then comes the burgers. We had the signature burger and the Greek burger. The signature burger has chorizo ground into it w a red pepper ranch spread. Check out my pics. Food was amazing!!! I need a nap after this one. All food is cooked to order, lots of local products, no freezer in the kitchen so everything is very fresh. They close down for a couple hours between lunch and dinner to prepare for dinner. Service and staff amazing. So happy with this place. A must go!!
(4)Kate M.
First time at Al Fresco and very satisfied! Food is great, fresh, well seasoned. Service is outstanding as well! Our lunch included hummus appetizer, Cuban sandwich, Falafel wrap and the best Tres Leches dessert we had ever had. You can taste the quality of fresh organic ingredients and love! Definitely will go back.
(5)Molly D.
Unbelievably good. This is how all restaurants should be. Farm to table, and fresh as all get out. I recently started eating vegan and I really need the veggies to fill me up. Their veggies were hearty and tasty beyond any I've tasted. It's kind of hidden behind the main drag store fronts but I am so glad I found it. I'd eat here daily if I lived closer.
(5)Rocco B.
Food is delicious, creative and well presented. We eat through out the Orlando area at upscale Restaruants this place is a hidden gem a must try down town winter garden.
(5)Meghan M.
My husband, son, and I stopped into Al Fresco this evening after picking up my husband's race packet for the Winter Garden 10K. We wanted to grab an early dinner before heading home, and having been to Al Fresco at least a dozen times, it was our first choice while we were in the neighborhood. We walked into the restaurant within minutes of it opening at 5:00pm. The entire restaurant was empty outside of a couple already seated. After asking the hostess for a table and a highchair, we were essentially scolded for not having reservations since they had a "busy night ahead of them". After checking with the manager, the hostess informed us that they could seat us at a high top or the chef's table...which I would have loved...but neither could accommodate a high chair for my son. In the midst of the awkwardness in which I wondered if they would just ask us to leave already, my husband and I decided to dine somewhere else. Two hours later, after dining elsewhere, we had to walk past Al Fresco to return to our car. We expected to see it fully seated with diners, perhaps celebrating an early Valentine's Day. Instead, what we saw was less than a third of the restaurant populated. Empty tables! This was appalling. Call it poor planning, poor management, or complete discrimination...this has yet to be determined. What I will say is this: this kind treatment is unacceptable in a family-oriented city such as Winter Garden, and a restaurant that continues to conduct business in this manner will not be well-received in our community. My husband and I will never return to this restaurant and we will urge our friends and neighbors to do the same.
(1)Mark C.
We just stopped in for the appetizers and a couple $5 happy hour martinis. The Chorizo appetizer is quite delicious! Love the Spanish style chorizo. Grilled with shallots, mushrooms, Manchego and Tempranillo wine served next to a few garlic seasoned crostinis. If you aren't squeamish for delicious fats; Delicious, damn delicious! The Spanish Caesar Salad was partially selected for the cilantro addition stated on the menu. The salad came out not in the best of visual form / presentation and behold after two bites, the omission of the cilantro was discovered. Not disclosed by the server until confronted. (Perhaps she was not told the dish could not be prepared as selected?) After that minor upset we choose the : Quinoa Salad. Spinach, Arugula, Golden Raisins, Dates, Almonds, Blueberries, Pomegranate Vinaigrette. I have never seen quinoa so large before. The size of oats and the same chewy texture. (I think we got served oats) I liked the texture all the same and the overall dish was - okay. Concoction reads better than it delivered to my taste. Martinis are top notch! The second and third, are even progressively better! Duh! Give em a try but be prepared to drop a few bucks. Not a casual dining expense!
(3)Mike W.
I've eaten here numerous times and after a bit of a hiatus I came back for some of their delicious paella only to be thoroughly disappointed. It was bland and dry, a big bowl of rice with seafood laid on top We also had the octopus appetizer that was rubbery.
(2)Mike B.
Came for their inaugural Sunday brunch today. I've done brunch at a lot of different places but Al Fresco is at the top of my list. Every single item carried their signature farm fresh to the table quality. Nothing, and I mean nothing, tasted processed or production line made. Even the mimosas were made with fresh-squeezed orange juice. If I was smart, I would have said this place was lousy just to make sure I don't have a problem getting reservations in the future, but I just can't. At the risk of losing my fabulous secret, I'm telling you to book your reservation for next week as soon as you can. You will not be sorry!
(5)Juan C.
We had a celebration dinner here with a group of about 20 people. The service was appalling. The time difference of when first plate arrived to the last was about 2 HOURS! The waitress forgot to put in half of the order! My group was very gracious and understanding. There seemed to be no priority in fixing the problem. Groups that came in after us were finished and leaving. It was embarrassing. There were seniors in our group that ordered at 6:30 and didn't get their food until about 9 pm. Then, they had to wait super long to get their checks! Nothing comped or discounted. Then I emailed the restaurant on their website to discuss the matter and I received NO RESPONSE! Unacceptable all around.
(1)Chelsea W.
Yum yum yum! I love supporting local businesses especially when they make a really big effort to support the local community in return. Al Fresco gets most if not all of its ingredients from local sources and even has a green house on its roof for a majority of its produce (although the green house might technically be under a different company name of Green Sky growers). We visited on a Sunday afternoon for lunch and the place was only about half full but I think they recently added Sunday hours so this may change as more people know about it. All of the food was really really fresh and I just felt so good after finishing my meal. I ordered the panini with mozzerella cheese, tomato, arugula and balsamic reduction so basically a caprese salad with bread and it was deeeeeelish. Others in our group got the club sandwich which although it had the same basic bones of a club sandwich, it had its own unique additions which you'll just have to take my word for it and try it for yourself. The special of the day was a blackened Mahi sandwich which was also very fresh, flavorful and delicious. The lunch prices are extremely reasonable with most items at about $10 or less. I think all of the salads were $7.50 so its hard to argue with that price. I'd like to try Al Fresco for dinner since their menu has a lot more options entree wise but i know the prices are a little higher so although they aren't unreasonable, its to be noted. Service= two thumbs up. very attentive but not overly so Downtown Winter Garden is making its way back up so plan a visit for a break off the west orange trail or check out the farmers market and make sure to stop in at Al Fresco's for a great experience and meal!
(4)Belinda B.
I love to go to lunch there, specially on a weekend. The lunches are interesting but what I like the most are the beautifully made and delicious deserts. Most restaurants have the typical deserts. Not Al Fresco! They have the most delicious and unique deserts so make sure you leave room for desert. The restaurant atmosphere is pleasant. I like the open room full of windows. There is a bar also if you only want drinks and you can watch the chefs cook. Nice...
(4)Priya D.
I wanted to like this place!! I was excited to go. We had a big group. 13 people. Our waitress took about 20 mins just to take our appetizer order. We decided to order our meals as well since it took so long. It took about 15 mins to get all of the appetizers and I never got mine!!! Once dinner was served about 40 mins later everyone had their food except for my husband. Another 15 mins before his food came out. No apologies were made. No compensation. No nothing!!!!!!! So disappointing.
(1)Elizabeth C.
My husband and I have eaten here many times and is always exceptional! The food is beautiful and delicious, the atmosphere is perfect, service is wonderful. Tonight was the first time we were asked if we had a reservation....not surprising as I expect that to be regular, especially on the weekends, as this restaurant gains in popularity!
(5)Rusty M.
Had my first experience there last night and it's was phenomenal. I has the bone-in pork chop with some sort of chorizo rice-ish side. It was fantastic. My wife had a salad which she claimed it was the best salad of her life. She had scallops for her entree which were also great. Service also 5 star. Will be back soon.
(5)Mary B.
This was our second visit to Al Fresco and I'm happy to report that it is much improved. Both food and service improved since the opening. Our group of 6 attended the matinee at the Winter Garden Theater, and picked Al Fresco for dinner. We were the first group in for dinner - quite early at 5pm! The decor is attractive and relaxing. The table for 6 was very comfortable and private. We liked that we had space and that there was no piped in LOUD music. Perfect for conversation. All 6 were pleased with their selections and the waitress happily accommodated our sharing of entrees and have 3 sets of checks. The spicy feta cheese dip was excellent - quite unique. We also enjoyed the hummus and the bruschetta, which were less unique. The wine list was long and very affordable. I tried a Tangerita which included house infused tequila. It was fun and tasty, but next time I will stick with the red wine. My husband and I shared lasagna - very good, with home made pasta which was very tender. Others at the table had shrimp and the salmon dish - both were good. The price points of the entrees were less than one would expect for such fresh and well prepared food. It's a chance to have some great dining at an affordable price. The same dishes would cost more if we had been on Park Ave, WP!
(4)J M.
Love the fresh food and ever changing menu. Service is good and prompt. Wine list is ok and great cocktails.
(4)Kim M.
On a complete whim, my book club and I decided to meet at alFresco for lunch and discussion on January 11th. Our original plans got changed due to schedule conflicts and other things, and we decided on alFresco with no prior knowledge of the establishment besides others' reviews. Food-wise, it's definitely a win, especially for such a diverse group with varying dietary needs. I normally prefer hearty meals, then we have one vegetarian, one vegan, and a few who can be quite hard to please when it comes to food. Everyone loved their dishes! I ordered the soup and salad -- soup of the day was Manhattan Crab Soup,** and I had the Strawberry Blonde salad with it. YUMMMMMM!!! At least 3 of my friends ordered the falafels and they looked yummy and filling. A few times I found myself glancing longingly at the soft, pliable-looking pita bread they were using to wrap around the falafel balls. But honestly, I was too busy enjoying the deliciousness of my meal to focus on their food too much. I also had a nice glass of sauvignon blanc with my meal, which set everything off beautifully on my tastebuds. While we were there, we also noticed the bar had these awesome-looking flavor infused liquors in jars going across the top of the bar, and I already know I'm making another trip out there to try some of those out. The ambience and style of the place were really great. One teensy thing... the entrance was a little confusing. I came in from the side, after having walked from shops on Plant Street and cutting through the walkway by the Garden Building. Once I got in, I noticed another door facing the other street (where the big parking lot is). But either way, to me there wasn't really a clear sense of where the main entrance was -- it appeared to me that no matter which door I picked, I'd be stepping into someone's meal. So, I'd just say they need clearer signage on the doors and maybe a bit of spatial separation between the entry/waiting and dining sections, just to give those seated more of a buffer. **Reviewer's note: I'm from Maryland. I know a little sum'n sum'n about crabs (cakes, whole crabs, soups, balls, etc). And that was some great crab soup!**
(4)Melissa D.
My husband, Peter, was the Stage Manager for the Music Man at the Garden Theatre, so my father-in-law and sister-in-law came up a few months ago to see the show. The theatre is located on Plant Street in historic Winter Garden, home to a number of Mom and Pop restaurants that range from Thai to BBQ. Peter mentioned that a new restaurant opened, so we decided to give it a try after the show. As Peter had been there with the theatre gang, he took the lead and ordered us two appetizers, the Spicy Feta Dip and the Hummus of the Day (today's special was Roasted Red Pepper). The word spicy usually turns me off; however, this feta dip was outstanding. The spice was there, but it was not overpowering, and didn't leave me crying for water. The grilled pita was still warm and seasoned just perfectly, a wonderful pairing for both of these dips. We were a hungry bunch, so I ordered a cup of the tomato bisque. Watch out Earl of Sandwich, this tomato bisque might just be my new favorite in town. Our waitress was very enthusiastic about the special, the Shrimp Mac and Cheese. The blend of cheeses combined with the flavorful shrimp made for quite the meal. Next time I plan on ordering their ravioli in vodka sauce (the chef handmakes the pasta each morning, and apparently it runs out quickly). While I didn't snap a picture of it, my father-in-law ordered the Crepe Suzette for dessert, and graciously let us each steal a bite. Delightful. I felt as though sunshine exploded on my tongue, the light orange flavor was not too overpowering, almost like a creamsicle drenched crepe. Delightful. The only awkward piece of the meal was the guitarist who went from table to table. The restaurant had a very Mediterranean like feel to it, and yet the guitarist walked around like he lost the rest of a Mariachi band. We couldn't tell if he was Mexican or Italian, and when he came to our table we learned he was a 76 year old classically trained Opera Singer from Puerto Rico who studied music in Italy. Regardless of the strange entertainment choice, we will certainly be back.
(4)Bradley M.
Discovered this beautiful restaurant one weekday for lunch. Seated promptly at a lovely table. Had a good server who recommended the spicy feta appetizer. Delicious. I had a great burger cooked perfectly. Full of flavor and incredible hand cut fries. We're looking forward to our next trip to Winter Garden to dine here again. Loved it!
(4)Monique C.
Really great food and experience. The sauces that accompany every dish make it memorable- especially the green sauce with the calamari. I already made my husband promise we could come back soon. We drive 30 minutes each way to get there and it's very worth the drive. My 6 year old daughter was scraping her plate at the end of her meal. My 2 year old was enamored with the strolling guitarist. I was sad the next day when I realized my husband ate my short ribs leftovers- I was looking forward to it all day long. We will definitely be back!
(5)Libby W.
While in Winter garden we spotted this odd looking building and local told us the story behind the building. Green Sky growers have a roof top farm . It reminds me of Epcot's "The Land". They produce tons of fresh vegetables and fish without using harmful pesticides. Below the roof top farm is Al Fresco, a restaurant devoted to using fresh local ingredients by partnering with Green Sky growers and other local farms in town. Just look up at their chalk board to see the list of quality food products and were they come from. Service was wonderful and attentive. She acted as if she had known us for years and were regulars when we walked in and she treats the regulars like family. It's always endearing to see that level service and familiarity. We walked in for lunch and were delighted to sit at the kitchen top bar area where you can see the food being prepared. We ordered Hummus, Spicy Feta Dip, Strawberry Blonde Salad and we shared sandwiches, The AlFresco Club and the Veggie Panini "Lallove". The timing was great. I love with a restaurant perfectly times the food so that is comes out at the right time. First up the hummus and the spicy feta dip. The hummus was made fresh wonderful chickpea flavor with a nice texture. The feta dip was amazing. Nice spicy, creamy chunky texture. It was my husbands favorite. We split the salad and it was the best strawberry salad I've ever had. Arugula, Strawberries, Toasted Almonds, Gorgonzola, and with a nicely dressed Strawberry Vinaigrette. The flavors play together beautifully and its so richly balanced. Once we were done we were handed our sandwiches. The Lallove panini reminded my husband of the food he ate in Italy. Sometimes simple shows off so much great flavor. Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Roasted Garlic Oil were just perfect. The Al Fresco Club is a more hearty sandwich combining Roasted Turkey, Bacon, Gouda, Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado Yogurt. I loved the avocado yogurt it really put the sandwich all together. I loved the choice of gouda and the turkey is real turkey not deli meat. The real treat here is how you can taste the freshness and the brightness of such quality ingredients. While I rated this 5 stars I think it's pretty essential that you must loved veggies to get the full range of flavor. They have plenty of meat options but I think the glory of this place might be lost on the meat and potato crowd. Also it's a spectacular place for a girl's day out lunch. Enjoy yourself with some food and wine. Next time I'm in Winter Garden I plan to go back.
(5)Carolyn C.
After searching to find it since it is in the back of the building, we were pleasantly surprised. Everything we had from the paella to short rib pasta to salmon was excellent. The starters of fried risotto, caprese salad, and chicken lemon soup were also amazing. My only criticism was that I would have liked the bread plate to be complimentary for how much you pay for the dishes. Otherwise, highly recommended.
(4)Christine M.
Went there for a business lunch but would definitely go there again for date night. Food was delicious with a generous portion, the decor was nice, and the Playlist in the background was awesome. Wait staff kept my glass filled and were polite. I recommend this place!
(5)Mitchell M.
We were lulled into Winter Garden due to their touted historical buildings and the railroad museum. We arrived in WG too early for the railway museum which opens at 1p so we looked around at some of the historical district from our car. When we returned to the downtown, parking was at a premium but we found a spot in a lot one block south of Plant St and looked up and saw Al Fresco. So since it was close, we entered via the 'back' entrance. As a previous poster indicated, it's difficult to determine which of it's three doors is the 'front'. The address is on Plant St but the restaurant is either on the side 'alley' or the back street. ANYWAY, we were seated and the fresh menu was very intriguing especially the soup du jour which was French onion. Three of us ordered that, one a bowl and two of us via the cup o' soup/half salad option. The waiter, who was VERY busy taking care of the ENTIRE dining room with ZERO help from the almost useless hostess and had a LOT of help from the bartender/manager(?) misheard my wife and her meal was with the house soup which was a chicken/rice with lemon. The manager said not to worry and left the soup and quickly brought out another French onion for her. My half salad was the Panzanella which is too complicated to describe. But BOTH were very good. The extra soup was tasted by all and it was ALSO very good. My Mother in Law's tilapia salad included a lavosh chip in it. We inquired about where it came from. The DO NOT make them on site but the told us where to get them and even gave us a to go box with some in it. (We found the bakery, Douce French just off of Story Rd on the east side of town). The produce is mostly grown in green houses on the roof and the same company (Green Sky) also raises various fish on the premises as well. For us it was all and all a GREAT experience.
(5)Josh L.
Great food and service every time we go. The food is sourced locally and prepared fresh, so that makes it really stand above most other restaurants (especially chain places). One fact about AlFresco that I really love is that they have no large walk-in freezer (thus no frozen, prepped foods) and also no ice cream, much to my kids disappointment, but I think this is a point of pride for this high quality establishment. They have one of the best burgers in town and the spicy feta dip is the best appetizer anywhere.
(5)Jessica M.
This place has only been open 2 weeks. Excited to try it, but this was not going to be the night. We sat at least 10 minutes at the bar before we had drinks, ordered Prosecco (well, ordered it twice actually because he forgot and had to ask again) and got what could have only been a Riesling - sickly sweet. Didn't like it, but didn't complain, because honestly after a few minutes we realized we weren't going to stay for dinner and the situation at the bar was a total train wreck. Listened to the guy tell 3 different groups at the bar about how in the weeds he had been all day - seriously? I put 2 stars because 1) it makes you put stars and I didn't want to put just one and 2) I have high hopes and like the concept (local and fresh foods). We'll see al Fresco, we'll see....
(2)