Al Forno Caffe - Costa Mesa

This place looks suspect sitting in a strip mall but it is absolutely worth your time. Great food, great service, great people. Kid-friendliness: Staff was super friendly and personable. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Veal Cutlet Parmigiana with Spaghetti

We discovered Al Forno a few years ago and have been coming back at least twice a year from San Diego. It is a neighborhood restaurant, with a very pleasant staff and excellent food. The portions are generous and the food quality is excellent, with very reasonable prices. Wednesdays are half price wine nights, with excellent wines at reasonable prices. I recommend Al forno most highly, as a neighborhood restaurant but also as a destination place if you are passing through Costa Mesa in your way further north or south.

Very comfortable and very delicious Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Food: Delicious! We had the papparadelle funghi, pasta al forno, salmon, and rigatoni bolognese. The salmon was v juicy. My fav was the pappardelle funghi. For dessert we had the Panna Cotta and cheesecake also v yummy. For apps I would say try the fried artichoke hearts. We also had the caprese but I thought it was just okay. Vibes: Moody dark interior. Playing Italian music in the background. My parents loved it and kept commenting on the ambience. Service: was good and friendly!

Wonderful food. I Loved their pear gorgonzola salad. My husband and I are regulars. He enjoyed the huge lamb meatballs. Their lemon desert and chocolate derts were to die for!