This has to be the most disgusting meal I’ve had in 2025. I should have checked other reviews first but I was looking for a quick meal near AU. The gnocchi, lasagna, and chicken alfredo with pasta were all nasty with WAY too much salt. We were in a hurry so didn’t have time to complain at the restaurant. We just won’t go back. We should have been concerned that we were the ONLY other diners there…bad sign. Plus, the servers and kitchen staff were constantly yelling back and forth to each other which is rude to patrons and completely unprofessional. On top of that, they FORCE a 20% service fee on patrons, and the receipt says that the service fee isn’t a tip. Sorry, but the max I normally tip for excellent service is 15% and there’s no way I was going to tip on top of the 20% I was already forced to pay for terrible food. Any restaurant that feels the need to force a 20% service fee should just shut down and not bother being in business, because that is representative of piss poor management.
Enrique Gochicoa
Great happy hour with specials in drinks and italian food like pizza, pasta and salads
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nazan
The food was not very good. Veal Scallopini came with a very thick sauce. I could not finish it. the prices have gone up. they are charging 20% service fee which is not considered gratuity. So, we had to pay a tip, too. What I ate was not really worth the price. I will think about going there again.
Tony
This is a great place, and not expensive if you go during their fun happy hour, which has a large menu.
John Corriher
Great spot for brunch and happy hour. Love the pizza, burger and meatballs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill
Grilled Branzino was excellent, as were the pasta Bolognese, arugula salad & meatballs. The daily Happy Hour is a bargain. Nicole provided great service.
Kate
I think the salmon dinner was the was the worst meal I've ever been served. The potatoes with crabmeat looked like leftovers that were discovered in the back of the refrigerator and then someone said, “oh, let's mix these together so we can clear the refrigerator of old food”. Looked and tasted like prison food.
Jonathan
The pizzas were excellent. My wife is GF and she loved the linguini. The wine pairing worked well, too. Be aware that a 20% gratuity is included in the bill. That's no problem for us because we always tip at least that much, but we haven't seen that before for a small party and had to check. The service was certainly well worth the tip, though, and we will be returning to try more menu items.
Rubens
Al Dente has the best pizza I've ever tried! In addition to the varied menu and wines. Yes, they charge an additional fee, but the price of the dishes is worth it and they also have a Happy Hour promotion. I recommend it!
Al Dente is one of our favorite restaurants. We enjoyed a big family lunch and had great service and delicious food!
Kendall
What a great spot!? I came here for an early happy hour. The pizzas are on that HH list. You don't usually have happy hour on pizzas, so count me in. The fromaggi was delightful. Their mixed drinks and white sangria were also so amazing. Our server, Marlo, was speedy and professional. Everything from the timeliness, food, seating, service, and dranks were all superb.
Gispi Pam
Warning: If you come here, you are forced to pay a 20% fee no matter how good or bad the service is. No matter what, you are charged a 20% fee on top of your check. If you ask why, their explanation is nonsensical, illogic. It just makes no sense. My question is, why are you charging me something I do not owe you? I only owe you what I ordered and ate, and a tip if I want. I just don't see why a 20% fee is forced on me and for what reasons. Will never go back here, where they charge customers just for being there.
Brianna Mount
The food was good and our server was attentive. The owner or manager was outside smoking despite a no smoking sign. The only thing that bothered me was that we were forced to pay a 20% service fee. I asked them to take it off but they refused. I’ve never been somewhere that forces you to pay a service fee. I don’t have a problem with a lower service fee but 20% makes it impossible to leave an additional tip for the server. I can’t pay an extra 40% on my already $85 bill. That is ridiculous. On their menu, it says the service fee is not a tip and tips are not expected but appreciated. I wouldn’t have gone to this restaurant if I had known about the service fee. It was absolutely ridiculous they wouldn’t take it off our bill.
Bri
The food was super good and they have a great happy hour. The owner was smoking at the table by us despite there being a no smoking sign. We were forced to pay a 20% service fee. I asked to have to removed but the server said he couldn't. I have never seen a service fee that high.
This has to be the most disgusting meal I’ve had in 2025. I should have checked other reviews first but I was looking for a quick meal near AU. The gnocchi, lasagna, and chicken alfredo with pasta were all nasty with WAY too much salt. We were in a hurry so didn’t have time to complain at the restaurant. We just won’t go back. We should have been concerned that we were the ONLY other diners there…bad sign. Plus, the servers and kitchen staff were constantly yelling back and forth to each other which is rude to patrons and completely unprofessional. On top of that, they FORCE a 20% service fee on patrons, and the receipt says that the service fee isn’t a tip. Sorry, but the max I normally tip for excellent service is 15% and there’s no way I was going to tip on top of the 20% I was already forced to pay for terrible food. Any restaurant that feels the need to force a 20% service fee should just shut down and not bother being in business, because that is representative of piss poor management.
Great happy hour with specials in drinks and italian food like pizza, pasta and salads
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was not very good. Veal Scallopini came with a very thick sauce. I could not finish it. the prices have gone up. they are charging 20% service fee which is not considered gratuity. So, we had to pay a tip, too. What I ate was not really worth the price. I will think about going there again.
This is a great place, and not expensive if you go during their fun happy hour, which has a large menu.
Great spot for brunch and happy hour. Love the pizza, burger and meatballs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grilled Branzino was excellent, as were the pasta Bolognese, arugula salad & meatballs. The daily Happy Hour is a bargain. Nicole provided great service.
I think the salmon dinner was the was the worst meal I've ever been served. The potatoes with crabmeat looked like leftovers that were discovered in the back of the refrigerator and then someone said, “oh, let's mix these together so we can clear the refrigerator of old food”. Looked and tasted like prison food.
The pizzas were excellent. My wife is GF and she loved the linguini. The wine pairing worked well, too. Be aware that a 20% gratuity is included in the bill. That's no problem for us because we always tip at least that much, but we haven't seen that before for a small party and had to check. The service was certainly well worth the tip, though, and we will be returning to try more menu items.
Al Dente has the best pizza I've ever tried! In addition to the varied menu and wines. Yes, they charge an additional fee, but the price of the dishes is worth it and they also have a Happy Hour promotion. I recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
20% service fee
Restaurantji Recommends
Al Dente is one of our favorite restaurants. We enjoyed a big family lunch and had great service and delicious food!
What a great spot!? I came here for an early happy hour. The pizzas are on that HH list. You don't usually have happy hour on pizzas, so count me in. The fromaggi was delightful. Their mixed drinks and white sangria were also so amazing. Our server, Marlo, was speedy and professional. Everything from the timeliness, food, seating, service, and dranks were all superb.
Warning: If you come here, you are forced to pay a 20% fee no matter how good or bad the service is. No matter what, you are charged a 20% fee on top of your check. If you ask why, their explanation is nonsensical, illogic. It just makes no sense. My question is, why are you charging me something I do not owe you? I only owe you what I ordered and ate, and a tip if I want. I just don't see why a 20% fee is forced on me and for what reasons. Will never go back here, where they charge customers just for being there.
The food was good and our server was attentive. The owner or manager was outside smoking despite a no smoking sign. The only thing that bothered me was that we were forced to pay a 20% service fee. I asked them to take it off but they refused. I’ve never been somewhere that forces you to pay a service fee. I don’t have a problem with a lower service fee but 20% makes it impossible to leave an additional tip for the server. I can’t pay an extra 40% on my already $85 bill. That is ridiculous. On their menu, it says the service fee is not a tip and tips are not expected but appreciated. I wouldn’t have gone to this restaurant if I had known about the service fee. It was absolutely ridiculous they wouldn’t take it off our bill.
The food was super good and they have a great happy hour. The owner was smoking at the table by us despite there being a no smoking sign. We were forced to pay a 20% service fee. I asked to have to removed but the server said he couldn't. I have never seen a service fee that high.
Loading...