Al Forno Henley-on-Thames

We recently celebrated the conclusion to my master’s degree in psychology. I had taken the bold decision to leave teaching and to take a year out to pursue it. Thankfully, after a lot of hard work, I am pleased to report that I earned a distinction! I was treated to a lovely meal at Al Forno Henley-on-Thames. It is a local Italian restaurant that is actually quite hidden in the touristy town. Here is my review on this family-run business.

Location

Al Forno is down the Reading Road in Henley. If you park in the Greys Road car park (free from 18:00), it is about a 5-minute walk.

It is quite out of the way and is very modest. For instance, we did not know that it existed up until very recently! However, you are removed from the hustle and bustle and have a quiet location to enjoy your food.

If however you do have mobility issues, you can park your car outside the restaurant when it is not busy. Spaces here are extremely limited and for most of the day require a permit. In the evening it should also be easy to drop people off there.

Atmosphere and Service

The atmosphere in Al Forno Henley-on-Thames is quiet, relaxed, and no-frills. The first thing you will notice is the large wood-burning oven, where the restaurant gets its name. It makes the entire place feel authentically Italian and you will see your food being cooked in it.

The décor is quite unique. The most notable part is without doubt the wallpaper, which displays a mythical beast (a lynx with wings). I have tried researching for links (no pun intended) between it and Italy but I cannot find anything. It does look very pretty, it doesn’t not look Italian, but it is an interesting choice!

The tables are rustic and do fit with the Italian vibe. They were quite small and close together but, in a small local business, it is exactly what you would expect. If anything it made for a great communal atmosphere.

I also cannot fault the service at Al Forno. Our waitresses were exceptionally friendly and made us feel really welcome. The food was also delivered quickly and there was not a great amount of waiting around. Overall, I was impressed.

Al Forno Food – Starters

To begin with, both Jack and I fancied the salt and pepper squid. It was served with a sweet chilli sauce that sat in the middle of the dish. Accompanying it was a small, hand-crafted flower made of different vegetables. The selection of ingredients really worked together and tasted lovely.

The squid itself was perfectly cooked. It was light and crispy on the outside, yet soft on the inside. The danger with squid is it can sometimes be either chewy or too thin, but this was perfect. Plus, I always think a sweet chilli sauce works well. My one, small thought is that an aioli may have fit with the Italian nature more, but that is likely personal preference.

Al Forno Food – Mains

For my main course at Al Forno Henley-on-Thames, I opted for the Siciliana pizza which was packed with bold, authentic flavours. The salty anchovies and briny black olives paired perfectly with the rich tomato base and gooey mozzarella. The crust was thin, crisp, and had just the right amount of chew.

Jack opted for their pepperoni pizza. It was huge and had clearly been freshly made. The base was light and crispy, with a generous layer of sauce and cheese. The amount of pepperoni was also good and I liked how spring onions were added to it.

Perhaps most incredible was the price. The pizza for instance was only £14.00 which, when you compare with Dominos, is a steal. It also tasted far nicer, and I would dare say it was bigger. I will 100% be returning here for a takeaway instead of going to a chain.

Al Forno Food – Dessert

We both have a major weakness for Tiramisu, and we just had to order it. It arrived shortly after and, alike the rest of our meal, was wonderfully presented.

There was a thick layer of sponge fingers, with a lovely layer of mascarpone, coffee and chocolate on top. It was delicious and was evidently homemade and fresh. Easily one of the best ways to end a wonderful dining experience at Al Forno Henley-on-Thames.

The Verdict

If you are looking to support local, have delicious food and value for money, this is for you. It love the simplicity of this restaurant and the care that goes into making delicious food. The prices are also excellent, and I was impressed at what we got for our money. Al Forno really is a hidden gem and if you are in Henley-on-Thames, you should definitely go. It is my new go-to place for excellent pizza.

Al Forno Henley-on-Thames | A Review