Al Fresco

First time here and we had a great "food-filling" time. Their lobster ravioli was so tasty as well as their beef lasagna.. Not to mentioned their mango- lemony sorbet with that tangy melts in your mouth goodness! 🤗 Service was great and quick. 👍

I must say I am so glad that my family and I found this restaurant while we were in Newport News. The food and service were so good that we ended up going here both nights we stayed! Our waiter Bill was the best waiter you could ever ask for, so good that we even requested to sit where he was serving the second night we came. Besides awesome service. The food was absolutely delicious. We are from NJ, and this place beats any Italian restaurant that we’ve been to there. The first night we started off with Caesar Salads and a house salad, followed by the Ravioli A La Vodka, Pollo Piccatta, and Penne da Vinci. They all blew us away. Not to mention the delicious Tiramisu. The second night we got the same salads but for dinner we got Fettuccine Alfredo w/Chicken, Lobster Ravioli, and Eggplant Parmesan, followed by yet another Tiramisu because it was so delicious. I seriously cannot wait for the next time I visit Newport News just so we can go here again for dinner!

Today I decided to switch from my normal lobster ravioli and try the hearty lasagna and boy was I pleased! The meal was absolutely sinful! The homemade pasta and sauce were absolutely divine. Service was incredible as always.

I am a BIG pasta lover and needed to find a decent Italian restaurant while we were in town. I read a few reviews to decide what was our best option and stumbled across Al Fresco. I booked a reservation online since we were looking to go out to eat on a Friday night. From the outside it doesn’t look like much but as soon as we walked in… I knew we were about to have our cravings satisfied. We were sat in a quaint little corner and immediately greeted with the daily specials for the evening. We ordered the following: ✅Mozzarella in Corroza ✅Lobster Ravioli ✅Fettuccine Alfredo ✅Pollo Rustico We personally loved the Mozzarella. I’ve never been served mozzarella quite like that before. The cheese was so hot and the breading was perfect. The Lobster Ravioli was my absolute favorite. The pink cream sauce was so good it could be served as a soup and how can you go wrong with a lobster mouse piped into a ravioli?! My significant other enjoyed his Apollo Rustico and licked the plate clean. And the BREAD 🤤! They served the familiar olive oil but instead of herbs they mixed it with a balsamic vinaigrette that was truly amazing. The only thing I didn’t enjoy as much was the Fettuccine. I felt like it did not compare to all of the flavors I tasted with the other dishes. I would have preferred more garlic and a hint more salt. Still, the sauce was creamy. I would absolutely visit Al Fresco again the next time we’re in town. Next time I want to try the Penne Alla Vodka and Penne Al Forno 😉.

Most excellent food!! Classy, romantic atmosphere! Very generous portions! I highly recommend Al Fresco!

I was here recently with a large group for an investment seminar. I ordered the lasagna which came in a huge portion. It was perfectly seasoned and absolutely delicious. I plan on returning for lunch/dinner and trying some of their amazing deserts.

Al Fresco is very tasty, everything we ordered tasted great and the service was very pleasant and welcoming. The atmosphere is just a bit dated and it seems like there are lots of older adults that are regulars, which is good. Very quiet and easy to talk, the food is worth it. Everyone should try it, we'll be back again.

I think it was an off night. I was part of a group of nine. Several drinks were forgotten. There were other order issues. It was obvious that there were several groups celebrating something. Several people in the group mentioned it wasn’t normally like this. The food was good.

This place is a local gem with great service and food. The food is tasty and in large portions. The carbonara had a great flavor and the perfect amount of sauce to noodles ratio. The cheese sticks were very good and had a gourmet quality to them. The bread was also great, very soft and flavorful. It had it cheese and other herbs and was complimentary. Our server was great, we had our waters filled right when we walked in and throughout the dinner. She was constantly checking in on us. The restaurant is fairly upscale, dinner had candle lights and the tables were a little close together. Definitely a good spot for a date night. Highly recommend.

Exceptional cuisine! Many original choices. Atmosphere is wonderful Service fabulous, and waitress (Victoria) was terrific. I recommend this Italian restaurant above all others.

Was in the mood for some Italian food and found this local delight! Al Fresco was a delicious experience! A quaint little restaurant in a strip mall location, it requires nice attire! We sat down to a fried calamari appetizer and some beers and a nice mocktail. My husband ordered a ravioli alla vodka and I ordered a lobster ravioli.....my taste buds were transported to seafood heaven! The meals also consisted of a fresh garlic bread and a house salad! Victoria, our waitress, was delightful and attentive to our needs! Altogether, our meal cost $86 and I honestly thought that was a great bang for your buck! Visit Al Fresco! Quality: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Value for cost: 5/5

I love this restaurant! I'm a bit bias and eat the same thing every single time, chicken Alfredo, glass of white Zinfandel, salad, breadsticks, and for dessert pistachio cheesecake. This is a small restaurant, however there is additional seating to the right and outside deck. They staff is always quick and extremely pleasant Aunt I'll definitely come again and again and again for the ambience. If you're looking for a really cute restaurant to go on a date with, looking for a celebration restaurant, or just looking for really great Italian food this is the place to be.!!

I am a BIG pasta lover and needed to find a decent Italian restaurant while we were in town. I read a few reviews to decide what was our best option and stumbled across Al Fresco. I booked a reservation online since we were looking to go out to eat on a Friday night. From the outside it doesn't look like much but as soon as we walked in... I knew we were about to have our cravings satisfied. We were sat in a quaint little corner and immediately greeted with the daily specials for the evening. We ordered the following: Mozzarella in Corroza Lobster Ravioli Fettuccine Alfredo Pollo Rustico We personally loved the Mozzarella. I've never been served mozzarella quite like that before. The cheese was so hot and the breading was perfect. The Lobster Ravioli was my absolute favorite. The pink cream sauce was so good it could be served as a soup and how can you go wrong with a lobster mouse piped into a ravioli?! My significant other enjoyed his Apollo Rustico and licked the plate clean. And the BREAD ! They served the familiar olive oil but instead of herbs they mixed it with a balsamic vinaigrette that was truly amazing. The only thing I didn't enjoy as much was the Fettuccine. I felt like it did not compare to all of the flavors I tasted with the other dishes. I would have preferred more garlic and a hint more salt. Still, the sauce was creamy. I would absolutely visit Al Fresco again the next time we're in town. Next time I want to try the Penne Alla Vodka and Penne Al Forno .

I was alone and hoping to sit at the bar, however, there wasn't a bar to sit at, but they were very accommodating and I sat at a table. I felt under dressed, but not judged by any of the staff. The wine selection was amazing and the meal was delicious. I will be back!

My friend comes here often. She made a Friday night reservation for three. Her husband was already seated at our corner table. Service was a bit slow to start, but after that it went smoothly. I had a house wine, which was surprisingly cheap at eight dollars a glass and my friend had a Manhattan. We also had a Prosecco ($9) with our meal. All meals start with a salad. The complimentary bread is amazing! They give you olive oil with fresh Parmesan cheese, grated into it if you ask for it. I went with the lobster ravioli topped with shrimp. Note: It was $25, not the price listed in the Yelp photos ($14). Still it was enough (after bread and salad) for me to take a small portion of it home for lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I would probably try the mushroom ravioli. The next time I come. It's only three dollars cheaper. I can understand why my friends love this place so much Service was friendly. Food was fresh. I'd come back next time I visit Newport News.

This is an excellent choice for a large gathering when you expect superior service, great food, and affordable pricing. Our waiters were attentive and responsive. Well done.

I've been here twice and love it every time. The food is delicious & filling. I had the fettuccine Al fresco which consisted of shrimp, diced chicken, artichoke heart, and mushrooms. The service is quick & the staff are kind. The ambiance is relaxing & quiet. Casual & classy restaurant.

We came in at 5 on Valentines weekend. They asked if we had a reservation but we didn't. They asked if we would be done within two hours and they would seat us, and of course we would be. We were attended to right away and our Caesar salads were very good. The inside of the restaurant is nice and clean and quiet. My lasagna was very good but needed a little more sauce. My wife's shrimp fettuccine Alfredo was very good. Service was okay but you could tell the server, Ella, has been there too long. You know how you can tell someone is forcing themselves to be polite but comes off rude? But the food was great. Would eat here again. When we asked for a box, we did notice that the older people got a nice to go box and my wife's was put in some crappy styrofoam container. Same server. I think she had a touch of an attitude problem. You can just tell.

I've been coming here for years when visiting my in-laws and never been disappointed. We come here at least once each time we're in town. It's located in a strip mall but feels very homey once you're inside. Their food is delicious, authentic, flavorful, and in generous proportions. The servers are attentive and patient to your requests. One favorite feature of mine is the women's restroom. Not a lot of places offer fully enclosed bathroom stalls. Of course I'll be returning here, no doubt.

We were in town for a conference and found this local gem. The food was wonderful. The atmosphere was so nice and peaceful. The meal was fantastic, well worth the money. Good wine selection as well.

Food was great. Sauce is immaculate! I only had the spaghetti and meatballs. Wish you could get four but received two. Great service! Coworkers had the fettuccine and loved it!

Visited Al Fresco on my first night in town after moving from 4 years in Hawaii. I had been craving good Italian food and decided to try this place. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with no pretence about the casual clothing we were wearing. The service provided by Sarah was exceptional. She took her time to talk to my parents and I, and seemed genuinely interested in providing her best service. The food was outstanding! I ordered a special of the seafood cannellone a la vodka, which was the best seafood pasta I can remember having. I highly recommend Al Fresco, and will certainly be visiting again soon!

I've actually only been to this restaurant once. We have a son that attends Christopher Newport University. The food was amazing! We had hoped to visit them more often, but when we go down all weekends, Sunday tends to be the day that we're looking to have a nice meal, and they're not open on Sundays.

Wow - it has been too long since I've visited Al Fresco. Of course, there was all that COVID crap and I'm only just now going back out again on a regular basis. For whatever reason, I was in the mood for a classy Italian meal, so I swung by for dinner. Brought a book and hoped to have a nice night. I was greeted quickly, and seated quickly. My server went over the specials, and I remembered liking the vodka sauce, so I got the goat cheese ravioli with the vodka sauce. It was DELICIOUS. The bread and salad were solid as well. This place continues to be consistent in delivering delicious Italian fare - service was better on this visit than my last apparently four years ago. But I'll be sure to be back for that sauce!

Super Great place for Italian food, all the food here is wonderful and everybody is great at Al Fresco. I highly recommend the calamari in a nice drink.

This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants on the peninsula the service and the quality of the food is consistent.

Al Fresco is one of my favorite places for fine Italian dining. I especially like to dine here when friends or family are visiting from out of town as there are many dishes to select from, one for almost every palate. Ronnie, the owner, greeted us on a arrival in such a friendly manner, we felt like family. Our waitress, Bee, was most attentive and checked on us just enough to make sure everything was good with our meal and that we had everything we needed. I enjoyed the Linguini Pescatore (a dish I've ordered here several times and each time the seafood has been fresh, the linguini has been al dentes, and the white wine sauces has been seasoned perfectly. My cousin enjoyed the mushroom ravioli and we both enjoyed the eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella appetizer. Outstanding evening of dining out thanks to Al Fresco.

Ok my brain just exploded. I came here with some work colleagues and I legit never even knew about this place. It is ITALIAN at its finest. Seriously... it's sooo delicious. How this place stayed low on the radar surprises me. Either way, I went all in with scallops and salmon... woo wee.. seriously just delicious. The service was fast - my water never went dry (that's a big deal in my book), everyone was friendly, and the food was just great. It's a bit of a trek for us but seriously, if you're willing to put up a lil coin for some very authentic Italian, this is your place. I know we'll be back! Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of food to cost: 5 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Very elevated small dinner place that is simple in its decor but great in execution. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no

We had a wonderful lunch at Al Fresco restaurant today. Billy our server was attentive without hovering. The food was excellent and portions more than adequate. It was nice to be in a place with table linens and napkins. Their menu is extensive. I would highly recommend.

Better than I expected. Reviews were great and my wife was in the mood for Italian as we sat in a hotel. This seemed a solid choice. There's plenty of parking and we were made to feel welcomed right from the start. The atmosphere was very pleasant and a great place for a date night. There's a wide range of choices and what we had was fantastic. From the complimentary bread (focaccia, delicious), to the melanzane rottine (rolled eggplant; appetizer), to our meals (pollo rustico and spaghetti with meatballs), everything was amazing. Service was excellent as the waitress continued to make sure everything was good.

Food is outstanding - have never had a bad dish. Service also lovely. This is the go-to place when we visit CNU. Wish they were open on Sundays - but can't fault them for giving their people a break - so overall, fantastic!!

Pick this restaurant at the last minute and it did not disappoint. Don't let the strip mall location fool you, it was a very friendly environment. The food was so outstanding, we were so tempted to go back the next day and eat the exact same meals. It was that good. The server was attentive and friendly. Highly recommended.

A classy place. Quiet. Very high caliber restaurant. We always say we need to go back more often. The service is discrete and attractive. Well worth the slightly higher price.

This was a really pleasant surprise! The location doesn't look like much from the outside, but is really charming inside. My girlfriends and I went here for a b day gathering, and everyone LOVED their food! My fettuccine carbonara was amazing! I tasted my friend's salmon dish and another friends ravioli with vodka sauce-both were excellent! They brought the b day girls some tiramisu and we all tasted it and agreed it was the best! Our server was good-very friendly and patient with our large group. We'll be back!

We had a great experience yesterday! Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owner (Mr. Ronaldo). We didn't have any reservations and they were pretty busy, however he found a way to accommodate us. The restaurant has an family feel. It seems like they are pretty busy on the regular, so next time I will definitely make a reservation. Our server was very attentive and was patient with us while we decided on what we wanted and let us try the wine before we decided on that exact kind. The food was good, especially the garlic bread! The oil & balsamic vinegar mix they used was really good. The portions were large as well, you definitely get your monies worth.

Al Fresco is a very good Italian restaurant in Newport News. Nice ambiance that's clean and fresh. Tables are spread out enough for people to sit and move around without bumping into someone else. Tables are set well with plates, glasses and silverware. The food for our table was also very good. I had the pork chop and swapped out the potatoes for cooked spinach. Both were very good and flavorful. Pork chop was slightly overcooked on the outside, but nothing too bad. Inside, it was tender and thoroughly cooked and warm when it got to the table. The bread had a butter and garlic mix added to it after the it was baked. Tasty. My table split a bottle of Chianti. It was ok. There wine selection has something for everyone's palate, but is limited on upper end red wine. I'd prefer better classico reservero or a barolo or amarone. Overall experience was good. I recommend Al Fresco and will return.

Ordered lasagna and $24.97 for pickup and no utensils later, the salad was not washed properly and the meat crumbles were dry. Service was fast but that Tip for a pickup gets me. Nice inside to sit at white linen covered tables is ambient but maybe the wine makes the food better?

Came here for a company Christmas party which we were given the entire outside part. The food was ok, the Cesar salad was very vinaigrette-ish as if the bulk salad that was prepared for the event got the housing dressing then someone realized it was supposed to be a Cesar dressing and just added that to the bowl and called it a day. Next, the food was kind of cold by the time it got to the table. At least mines were. Again it was a large company Christmas dinner so I'm sure this was prepared ahead of time but that didn't add to the individual experience. On a good note, the drinks were fabulous!

The food was amazing at Al Fresco, the interior is nice but I would suggest ditching the fake flowers and tile ceiling to add more of a classy look. I visited with a friend for dinner and I was kind of shocked that the waiter didn't introduce himself, didn't tell us the specials, and didn't ask if we've dined with them before. It was our first time and the service could've been better. The other tables (regulars I'm sure) were given great service but unfortunately we did not.

This was such a great experience. We were greeted by the owner. We didn't make a reservation but he managed to seat us anyway. The food was 10/10. We also ordered a glass of wine which was also great. It was very cozy Ana family oriented. The owner even offered us free dessert and gave us a hug on the way out!

We come here quite often for lunch and each time has been an amazing experience. You can taste the freshness of the pasta. The Alfreado is perfectly seasoned with fresh pasta noodles, Flounder al Fresco has perfectly seasoned and seared salmon with mash potatoes and the Salmon alla Panna is light yet still flavorful. Sometimes to be healthier, I just eat the salmon doused in the sauce it comes with. The breadsticks are another story. Perfectly warm, soft bread with parmesan cheese on top. Service is always great, water stays refilled and food comes out in a timely manner. Will certainly be back and sample more items on the menu!

We have been dining at Al Fresco for years and consider it our favorite restaurant. We normally dine here twice a month and have a wonderful experience, however, the past four times the service has been a disappointment. The food is ALWAYS exceptional, consistently exceptional, no complaints, only praise. The last four times we have dined here, the service was such a disappointment. We had the same male waiter each time who seemed to be annoyed he was waiting on us (each time we had four to nine guests at our table). He never smiled, was not pleasant, never told us about the specials, and when we had to ask him repeatedly for bread, olive oil, cheese and cocktail/water refills, he acted pissed. We had to ask him repeatedly for our checks. His unpleasant demeanor did not make for a pleasant dining experience. I wish they would put the olive oil/balsamic vinegar and shredded cheese on the table (as many Italian restaurants do) so we wouldn't have to wait for the waiter to serve us. Other times when we have dined here, our wait staff was wonderful! I highly recommend Al Fresco, food is "over the top" delicious, fresh, and plentiful. They have a great wine list, and Ronnie, the owner is delightful.

I've been going here since I was a kid and have always looked forward to coming. This is the perfect place for a fancy dinner date or an event. The owner is always in the restaurant and treats everyone with kindness. The servers are very professional and this is the kind of place were they are taking care of you the entire time which is nice as well! The food is outstanding every single time and they give big portions!!! The best part is, in my opinion, the dessert. They import their desserts from italy and it it genuinely the best dessert ive ever had.. I'm not joking when I say I could eat every single one.

A neighborhood gem. Great food and excellent service. Can get busy - but that's because they are so good and popular. Highly recommend reservations!!!

An updated review of our favorite dinner spot in Newport News. We had a big group that ate here last week. As always the food was delicious. Chicken Parm and lasagna were a big hit. Everyone was extremely happy with their meal too. We are from New Jersey so definitely eat more than our share of Italian food. The pasta and parm is as good as any we have ever had!! We had a nice bottle of wine with our meal. And the cocktails were delicious too. The service was outstanding. Attentive but not rushed. Which is not easy for a bigger group. The staff and owner could really not be nicer. And as we were celebrating a milestone birthday they were extremely accommodating for our request to serve a birthday cake. All in all a memorable evening. We love Al Fresco and know you will too.

You cannot go wrong with Al Fresco!! I'm Celiac and I love eating here and eating gluten free. My husband is not and eats all of the things! Best in the 757 hands down!

The premier Italian restaurant on the Pininsula! Fantastic food! You should come hungry too! The portions are amazing, food outstanding, and service is wonderful!! Reservations are a plus.

My bride went last week with some girlfriends and had a nice time. She said she liked the food. The service was good.

Very nice experience and great food. They serve seasoned bread that is something between bread sticks and slices with oil and vinegar and shredded cheese. I ordered the Pollo Rustico which had a good serving size of chicken for the protein and the sauce had a great rich flavor.

Ahhhhhhhhhh! We are in town visiting our Daughter and Son-in-love and wanted a place with great food and where we could visit for a bit with each other. A friend who lives in the area recommended Al Fresca. Immediately we were greeted by the owner. He moved us to an awesome table off to the side so we could eat and chill. We asked him for a wine recommendation and he said Side B. We were SO pleased! It was soooo good, we ordered another. Mmm mmm. Our server Arturo was truly fantastic. He was attentive, funny, and plain awesome! The young lady filling our water pitcher was attentive as well. We never had an empty glass. Well done! The food was all tasty, great portions and priced well. The bread was AH-MAZING!! Everything was delicious. We had dessert and shots of lemon-cello too! Wow, a great night! We even received hugs from the owner. Just like a Family!

Yuuuummmm! I love this place! I like the Lobster Ravioli! The sauce is amazing, and they give you a perfect amount that you dont waste and you arent miserably full! It is the best dish there. Say im wrong! Every time my family wants to come here. I try to make the effort to do so! This place has an elegant and romantic setting for a special occasion. Its clean, the servers are great. If you are in the area and have a craving for italian food, then this place is a must!! ENJOY!

Excellent service! Exceptional food! As a lady's group having fun the theme of the restaurant was perfect!

My family and I went here last night and had such a wonderful meal. We started with their house Cabernet Sauvignon, which was very good. Then we each tried a different meal, all of which came with delicious bread and salad before dinner. I had the fettuccini carbonara...it was an enormous helping of food and delicious! My daughter had the lobster ravioli a la vodka, which was also amazing. My husband had their chicken Marsala and finished every last bite! Then we shared their pistachio cheesecake. Wow! Absolutely scrumptious. I definitely recommend going here. The atmosphere is very good, the wait staff friendly and helpful, and it was such a great experience overall.

I can't say enough about how great Al Fresco is. Our normal waitress Bailey wasn't given our table but she came over to wish us happy anniversary and bought us calamari because she always remembers how I love it! Ashley also wished us a happy anniversary and was attentative throughout our dinner. The hubby had eggplant parm which was good. A little acidic for him but still good. I have linguine pescatore which is alot of seafood with a garlic butter sauce. I'm also a big fan of the lobster ravioli and I almost wish I had that instead but they are both good. Then they gave us tiramisu on the house! Fantastic and Yelp gives 5% cash back and you can make reservations with open table. Tell them it's a special occasion and they'll make it special for sure. (Note: I apparently drafted this but didn't post back in Aug)

Hidden Gem Great Food and Great Service. The wine my wife and I had was awesome and delicious. They have a very exclusive selection. Child and the desert was everything and some. Very authentic!!! If you looking for a nice dinner or family event lock them in. They also do family style dishes for bigger parties. It looked great.

Authentic Italian cuisine, good wine menu. Good service. Limited parking. Small dining area

OK. Have tried just about all the Italian Restaurants in the Williamsburg /Newport News area. Al Fresco is hands down the Best by far. Not the least expensive but you get what you pay for sometimes and Al Fresco's offers fair prices with great food and drink plus a lovely ambiance and atmosphere. Their wait-staff are professional and attentive large groups or just a table for two gets great service and food. Love their Vodka Sauce and veal dishes as well as their seafood or chicken dishes as well. Don't miss Al Fesco for a lovely dinning experience