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Al Dente, one of the finest restaurants in town, located in the Albergo boutique hotel in the heart of Achrafieh.
With the sophisticated Bordeaux like ambiance, Al Dente is a very nice place.
Located inside the Albergo hotel, Achrafieh, Beirut, the place is divided into three separate rooms, each with a high ceiling and round tables in an appealing setting that includes old and new lanterns... I liked the way lights are fixed over individual tables creating rounded spots around them - a great way to read your menu easily without any damaging your eyes. But personally, I would definitely prefer a restaurant that more lit creating a certain feel. Al Dente, in my opinion was too dark.
Looking for your invitees in the dark is not a great way to start off the night.
The menu is very nice, divided in four pages of complicated Italian specialities.
Starting with the meal. Unfortunately and that was really unacceptable, the pasta part cannot be approached by a 'garlic-phobic' like me so I had to move on to the meat and chicken dishes. A choice should be made, and customers should have the possibility of choosing to remove any ingredient if they are allergic to it.
I was shocked by the glass bottle used that should be made of crystal in a restaurant like this and by the old used white table covers that desperately has to be changed.
I appreciated the background music, the “Frette” tablecloth and the polite waiters.
At Al Dente, the food is very nice, tasty but not refined. Al Dente considers itself as one of the finest and best restaurants in town pricing accordingly but I really didn't feel that. It needs something more, needs some classiness some refinement in taste. This time I won't go into details of choices but I would surely recommend the Elephant ear as a main dish, any pasta dish as the quality and cooking time is perfect and try not to eat much cause the desserts are simply fantastic and should be tried.
Make sure to choose a table in the front part of the restaurant as its really hot inside and they try not to put on the air conditioning system to avoid bothering some women.
Once a year, The Al Dente organizes in collaboration with AirFrance the French gastronomy week, hosting some of the most famous French chefs. The 2011 edition was a success.
Try the AL Dente, you'll appreciate it.
