Restaurant description
Al Fresco Italian Restaurant en Brighton, above the beach has become a local institution: an elegant, contemporary dining-room in a rich palette of deep reds and dark browns that is accompanied by a sophisticated mix of comfort food and modern Italian classics.
What we like
- We recommend to taste "Fritto misto di mare" Fried squid, prawns, and red mullet fillets with mixed leaf salad and homemade Tartar sauce
- Do not miss "Scialatielli ai frutti di mare" Short strips of pasta with mixed seafood, shellfish and tomato sauce
- Very good is also "Risotto alla pescatora" Risotto with mixed seafood, shellfish, white wine and tomato sauce
- Among the main courses "Orata all’acqua pazza" con patate novelle e vegetali di stagione Steamed filled of guilted head bream with cherry tomatoes, white wine, garlic served with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables or "Tortino di Carciofi" e patate con misticanza e mozzarella fritta Artichoke and potato pie with an organic mixed leaf salad served with deep fried buffalo mozzarella
To know more
- Homemade free range egg pasta is freshly made daily
- Awarded a Certificate of Excellence and voted a winner for 2014, 2015 and 2016 by TripAdvisor
- With an outside terrace encompassing the whole restaurant, this Italian Restaurant is the ideal place to savour wonderful range of seafood or an elegant glass of Pinot Grigio whilst enjoying the spectacular backdrop of the ruins of the West Pier and the Sussex coast
What to do and see around
Brighton Photography, Royal Pavilion, Churchill Square Shopping Centre
How to reach us
15 minute walk from Brighton Station
10 minute walk from Churchill Square
5 minute walk from The Grand, Hilton, Brighton Centre
Menu
PRIMI
- Caprino scottato con insalatina di Pinoli pomodorini pachino e balsamico di Modena Seared goats cheese with mixed leaf pine kernel salad with Pachino cherry tomatoes with a balsamic dressing (v) £8.95
- Gamberi affogati con avocado, Pomodoro ed insalatina al limone di Sorrento Poached and chilled prawns with avocado, tomato, mixed leaf salad and lemon dressing £7.95
- Affettati misti con funghi e carciofini sott’ olio Selection of Italian farm house cold cuts, marinated mushrooms, marinated artichoke hearts and pizza bread £12.50
- Guazzetto di Pesce al Pomodoro Classic Italian mix seafood, shellfish and tomato soup served with toasted focaccia £8.95
- Fritto misto di mare Fried squid, prawns, and red mullet fillets with mixed leaf salad and homemade Tartar sauce £11.95/main £21.50
- Capesante avvolte nello speck scottate con salsa di liquore al whiskey Pomodoro bruschettato Seared king scallops wrapped in speck ham with Drambuie, cream and tomato concasse £11.95
- Gamberoni all’aglio e peperoncino Pan fried king prawns with garlic, chillies, parsley and white wine served with homemade focaccia £ 9.25/ main £20.95
- Bruschetta classica Pomodoro san Marzano aglio e basilico Classic sour dough bruschetta with Italian plum tomatoes, garlic and basil £6.00
- Crostone Gorgonzola e cipolla rossa caramellata Sour dough bruschetta with Gorgonzola cheese and caramelised red onion £7.25
PASTA E RISOTTO
Our homemade free range egg pasta is freshly made daily by our Italian chef using quality ingredients to provide a taste of Italy! Please note we can also provide gluten free pasta on some dishes if required (this is not homemade)
- Mezze-maniche con melanzana Pomodoro, mozzarella e basilico (V) Large pasta tubes with aubergine, tomato, mozzarella and basil (v) £12.95
- Tagliolins al Pomodoro e basilica (v) Tagliolins pasta with creamy tomato and basil sauce (v) 12.95
- Risotto alla pescatora Risotto with mixed seafood, shellfish, white wine and tomato sauce £16.95
- Strozzapreti con funghi, salsiccia soppressata e scamorza Pasta twist with Italian spicy salami, wild mushroom, cherry tomato and smoked cheese £15.95
- Scialatielli ai frutti di mare Short strips of pasta with mixed seafood, shellfish and tomato sauce £16.95
- Tagliatelle al granchio, pomodorini, peperoncino e rucola Tagliatelle pasta with hand-picked Cornish crab meat, chillies, cherry tomato and rocket sauce £16.95
- Spaghetti al ragu’ di manzo Spaghetti pasta with beef ragout £11.95
- Lasagna pasticciata emiliane al forno Lasagne pasta with beef ragout, basil, béchamel sauce and Parmesan cheese £ 13.95
PIZZE
- Margherita Homemade tomato sauce, shaved mozzarella, bocconcini mozzarella and freshly torn basil leaves (v) 10.95
- Caprini Capricorn goat’s cheese, caramelised red onions, Soleggiati sunblush tomatoes, Kalamata olives, oven roasted paprika peppers, fresh rocket and homemade tomato sauce (v) 12.95
- Enrico Homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella, spiced pastrami, chorizo and jalapeno peppers 13.95
- Pollo Homemade tomato sauce, chicken breast, roasted peppers, balsamic red onions, bocconcini mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan 13.95
- Mare e Monti Homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella with tiger prawn, prosciutto, Pedro Bianco ricotta, Soleggiatti tomatoes, roasted pine nuts and basil pesto finished with basil cress sprouts14.95
- Smiling Calzone Stuffed to bursting with freshly braised ham hock, mozzarella and sautéed wild mushrooms topped with homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan (guaranteed to make you smile) 14.95
SECONDI
- Tortino di Carciofi e patate con misticanza e mozzarella fritta (v) Artichoke and potato pie with an organic mixed leaf salad served with deep fried buffalo mozzarella (v) £15.95
- Filetto di branzino alla griglia con salsa verde vegetali grigliati e patate fritte Chargrilled fillet of sea bass with parsley, garlic, lemon and caper salsa served with chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables and chunky chips 19.95
- Filetto di salmone al finochietto con tortino di patate e spinaci all’aglio Roasted fillet of salmon with dill and lemon sauce served with wilted garlic spinach and parmentier potato 18.95
- Orata all’acqua pazza con patate novelle e vegetali di stagione Steamed filled of guilted head bream with cherry tomatoes, white wine, garlic served with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables 19.50
- Filetto di maiale grigliato alla melassa con patata fondente e cicoria romana brasata Chargrilled pork tenderloin marinated in molasses served with potato fondant, braised Italian chicory and garden vegetables 19.95
- Suprema di pollo alla Milanese con spaghettino al filetto di Pomodoro e basilico Free range bread crumbed and fried chicken supreme with spaghetti tomato and basil 17.95
- Controfiletto di manzo alla griglia con misticanza oraganica e patate fritte Chargrilled West country aged British 12oz rib eye beef served with organic salad and skinny chips 29.95
SIDE ORDERS
- Mixed organic leaf salad 4.50
- Market vegetables 4.50
- Fried courgettes 4.50
- Tomato and onion salad 4.50
- Chips 4.25
Dessert Menu
All Ice-Creams £2.80/£5.50
- Vanilla Panna Cotta (a smooth vanilla with slight hint of caramel)
- Roast coffee (with coffee infusion)
- Pistacchio (Sicilian Bronte pistacchio nuts)
- Stracciatella (milk, cream and chocolate chips)
- Dulche de Leche (Latin American toffee)
- Honeycomb (made with homemade honeycomb)
- Ferrero Rocher (chocolate and hazelnut)
- Strawberry sorbet (fresh strawberry)
- Lime and Mint sorbet (think Mojito!)
- Dark Chocolate sorbet (Velvet plain chocolate suitable for dairy free diets)
HOMEMADE DESSERTS
- A traditional Italian tiramisu made with a modern twist using crème pasticcera, white chocolate, Marsala mascarpone and toasted almonds. Made by an Italian so tastes like it should! 6.50
- Lavender scented crème caramel served with caramel dipped physalis and homemade vanilla shortbread 6.50
- Bitter chocolate rum truffle tort made with an Amaretti biscuit base served with fresh berry compote and fresh crème du menthe cream 6.50
- Baked white chocolate cheesecake served with winter berry compote £6.50
- Affogato of vanilla ice-cream served with a shot of Baileys and strong espresso – Simply Italian! 6.50
- A selection of cheeses; Pedro Blanco ricotta, Pecorino, Sussex Brie and Brighton Blue served with homemade chutney, bouquet of celery, pickled walnut and cheese biscuits 7.95