Al Forno Restaurant & Inn is a family run Italian restaurant and small inn at 25 St Stephens Road in Norwich. Its central location occupies a building with more than 300 years of history, where exposed brick and timber beams give evening meals a distinctive sense of place.
The kitchen prepares classic Italian inspired food to order, using fresh ingredients and local sourcing where practical. Pasta, risotto and oven baked dishes form the core of the selection, supported by seasonal specials that give regular diners something different to consider.
The approach is relaxed rather than formal, making the restaurant suitable for an unhurried dinner close to Norwich city centre. Fine ales, beers, wines and spirits accompany the food, while on-site customer parking can make an evening visit more convenient.
Twelve guest rooms make dining and accommodation part of the same family business, although the restaurant also welcomes visitors who are not staying overnight. As recipes and seasonal dishes can change, guests with allergies or dietary requirements should discuss the current menu and preparation with staff before ordering.
Address: 25 St Stephens Road, Norwich NR1 3SP, England
Al Forno Restaurant & Inn Menu
Antipasti – Starters
Garlic Bread
Garlic Bread with Cheese
Bruschetta
Bread topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, mixed pepper, mozzarella & rocket, and dressed with olive oil
Olives and Bread
Marinated mixed olives, served with bread
Calamari
Fried squid served on a bed of salad with tartare sauce
Tomato and Avocado Salad
Served with onion, olives, olive oil and oregano
Crespelle
Oven baked pankakes filled with spinach, mushrooms, ricotta cheese and topped with butter and parmesan cheese
Mimigitutlo Fritti
Whitebait served on a bed of salad with tartar sauce
Pasta Della Casa
Linguine Al Carbonara
Bacon, butter, egg yolks, white sauce and black pepper
Linguine Polpette
Homemade meatballs cooked with onion and garlic in a tomato sauce with oregano
Linguine Alla Bolognaise
Minced beef and tomato sauce
Linguine Di Mare
Mixed seafood cooked in white wine with garlic and tomato sauce, hot chilli, olive oil and parsley
Linguine Salmone
Smoked salmon with a cream sauce, with peppercorn and fresh dill
Penne Pomodoro
Tomato sauce, garlic, parsely, chilli *optional
Penne Alla Sarda
Spicy pepperoni, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pepper, garlic, mushrooms and tomato sauce
Penne Ai Gamberoni
Prawns, white wine and tomato sauce cooked with garlic, black pepper and cream
Penne Al Pollo
Chicken, mushrooms, asparagus, garlic, onions and cream
Gnocci Primavera (V)
Mushrooms, roast mixed peppers and olives cooked with white wine in a tomato sauce with parsley, garlic, black pepper and cream
Gnocci Gratinati
Pepperoni cooked with onion, black olives, capers and a touch of cream, gorgonzola cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
Gnocci Ai Gorgonzola
Chicken, mushrooms and black olives cooked with cream and gorgonzola cheese
Al Forno – Oven Baked
Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (V)
Layered aubergine, capers, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce, basil and oregano, topped with mozzarella cheese, egg
Cannelloni Veg (V)
Egg pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, baked in tomato and besciamella sauce, topped with parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Lasagne Classico
Layers of egg pasta, baked with a bolognaise sauce and besciamella, topped with mozzarella cheese
Gnocchi Bolognaise
Oven- baked gnocchi with bolognaise and cream sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese
Crispelle Al Pollo
Rolled pancakes filled with chicken, spinach, ricotta cheese, mushrooms, baked in a tomato and besciamella sauce, topped with parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Frank Speciality
Sliced potatoes, pan-fried chicken, onion, garlic and cream sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and slowly oven baked
Carni – Meat
Pollo al Mustarda
Grilled chicken breast cooked with cream, French mustard, sliced bacon and topped with mozzarella cheese
Pollo al Gorgonzola
Grilled chicken breast cooked with onion, Gorgonzola cheese and cream sauce
Pollo alla Romana
Grilled chicken breast topped with mozzarella cheese and ham, served on a tomato sauce with black pepper, garlic and oregano
Pollo al Proscuitto
Grilled chicken breast topped with mozzarella and ham, served with a creamy paprika sauce, cooked with onions and garlic
Pesce – Fish
Zuppa Di Pesce
Italian fish stew with prawns, mussels, garlic, onions, hot chilli, white wine and tomato sauce, served with bread
Insalate – Salad
Mixed Salad
Crunchy mixed salad leaves, tomato, red onion, olives, cucumber with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Insalate Di Pomodoro e Cipolla
Tomato and onion salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil, with black olives and fresh basil
Risotto
Risotto Al Pollo
Italian rice cooked with chicken, mushroom, sun-dried tomatoes, mixed peppers and tomato sauce, served with black pepper and permesan cheese
Risotto Alla Vegetariana (V)
Italian rice cooked with mushroom, fresh tomato, onion and courgette
Risotto Gamberetti
Italian rice cooked with prawns, asparagus, white wine, cream and tomato sauce
Risotto Di Mare
Italian rice cooked with mixed seafood, white wine and tomato sauce with hot chilli (optional)
Side Orders
Chips
Bread
Mixed Seasonal Vegetables
Fresh seasonal vegetables dressed with olive oil and oregano seasoning
Potate Al Rozmarino
Sautéed new potatoes cooked with fresh rosemary
Red Wine
House Italian Merlot
Soft, plummy, damson nose. Spicy, herbal flavours. Sour cherry and mineral hints with firm dry tannins.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Defined scents of bitter almonds and wild berries.
Casal Bordino Sangiovese
A wine dedicated to Sabelli, an ancient population who began the cultivation of the grapevine, an intense red colour with a well balanced flavour which is smooth on the palate, perfectly paired with meat and other dishes.
Primitivo Salento
A fully intense red colour and a complex bouquet. This wine is characterized by pine aromas that go from mature fruit to spicy notes. This wine goes well with meat & other dishes.
Poesie Bardolino DOC
This Bardolino is a rich ruby red in colour and displays a wonderful aroma of ripe red fruits. On the palate, there is a soft, lingering finish. A true all rounder throughout the whole meal.
Chianti Classico DOCG
A beautifully balanced wine, an intense deep. Well balanced and dry, with good structure and a velvety texture.
White Wine
House Pinot Grigio
Lifted, brightly fruity aromas with tropical notes and citrus undertones. Fabulously fresh. Dry and refreshing with pink grapefruit, cut grass and passion fruit flavours.
Pinot Grigio DOC
Delicately fruity, relatively full and ample with an ensemble of aromas and great finesse.
Pecorino Bianco IGT Terre Sabelli
With a delicate bouquet, this wine depicts fresh notes of ripe tropical fruits. Balanced and smooth mouth feel with a medium body and lengthy finish. Great as an aperitif or served with light fishdishes and summer salads.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Pale yellow in colour with a delicate and lingering aroma. Dry, fresh, nicely acidic with good fruit and a subtle aftertaste, which last pleasantly in the mouth.
Malborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
Fresh and intense, suggestions of elderflower and sage.
Rosé Wine
Pinot Grigio Blush Rosé
It is a fresh, clean and crisp wine with a touch of spice. A great match for light pasta, fish or seafood dishes.
Champagne & Sparkling
Vino Spumante Prosecco
With delicate white stone fruit and lemon flavours and fine bubbles.
Champagne Paul Langier Brut
A champagne offering ripe fruit notes with a classic biscuity finish, a careful blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes come together to create this outstanding cuvee.
Rosé Prosecco
Asti Martini
Bottled Beers, Cider & Ales
Peroni Nastro Azzuro
300ml, 5.1% vol
Moretti
300ml, 4.6% vol
Guest Ale
500ml, 4.5% vol
Guest Cider
568ml, 4.5% vol
Beer of the day
660ml
Liqueurs & Spirits
Single
Double
Premium Single
Premium Double
Soft Drinks
Mineral Water
Still or sparkling (500ml)
Coca Cola/Diet Coca Cola
(300ml Bottle)
Orange/Apple Juice
Bottle Mixers
Appletiser
(275ml Bottle)