This epicurean quote is the catch phrase for our favourite restaurant, Alo Alo. Open the comprehensive menu and you will see why the quote is so appropriate. My taste buds start dancing at the very thought of our recent meal at this excellent restaurant.
Newly relocated to the Arundel Village Shopping Centre, Alo Alo is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. Parking is a breeze, and the surroundings are spacious and luxuriously landscaped.
On the Saturday evening we went to Alo Alo, the restaurant was humming with diners; testament to its popularity. Much of the charm of Alo Alo lies in its eclectic décor. Interesting furniture, bric-a-brac and art work meld together to transport you into another world, far removed from the humdrum of everyday life.
Although the new premises are bigger than the previous location, Alo Alo has not lost its intimacy and warmth. Much of this is due to Owner/Manager Adrian Orford’s charismatic involvement in the running of the restaurant.
He is there to greet you, to chat about long-lost friends and to check that the meals are served to perfection — things which are often neglected in today’s “fast food” generation of restaurants.
As mentioned before, Alo Alo’s menu is mouth-watering, offering a wide selection of delicious meals.
It’s quite hard to make a decision and choose what to eat, but I have to say that this kind of problem is one I would be happy to face any day. The wine list is impressive, but, if you prefer, you can take your own wine.
While we were cogitating over the menu, our waiter brought a huge dish brimming with fresh rolls and crispy-thin bread snacks. Our choice was further delayed as we savoured the offerings.
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We decided on the Alo Alo Platter of hors d’oeuvres to tantalise our taste buds, and so that we could each sample something different from this section of the menu. Presentation and attention to detail in the serving of meals is paramount at Alo Alo. Our Platter was served with aplomb and it looked gorgeous.
Generous servings of crumbed mushrooms nestled next to crispy, battered fish, battered chicken and Devils on Horseback. Three sauces accompanied the appetisers; garlic, sweet chilli and a delicately flavoured version of Tzatziki. The Platter was beautifully garnished with deep fried onion rings and thin butternut “chips”.
After careful consideration, I chose the beef wellington and was intrigued again with the novel presentation of this dish. Instead of the traditional fillet wrapped in pastry, Alo Alo offers a new version of this old-time favourite.
The fillet was cooked to perfection and topped with a “crown” of pastry. Mushroom sauce complemented the fillet and an extremely tasty stuffed gem squash and hearty portion of chips made this truly a meal to savour and remember.
Rupert decided to try something different and selected the pork fillet stuffed with asparagus and cheese sauce, which was an excellent choice. The delicate flavour of the pork partnered well with the tasty sauce. Our children’s eyes were out on stalks as their dishes were served.
My daughter chose the chicken kiev, which was tender and literally bursting with garlic-mushroom flavour. My son simply disengaged himself from the conversation and gave his complete attention to his rump steak. It was cooked perfectly to his specifications and he licked the platter clean (not literally, of course!).
All the dishes could be considered works of art; the colours and textures enhanced our dining experience.
To complement our meal, we selected the Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, smooth and woody.
Call us small piglets, if you will, but we could not resist dessert. chocolate mousse, crème caramel and lemon meringue pie brought our meal to a very satisfying conclusion.
Once again, the presentation of these dishes was dramatic. Each was accompanied by a red rose and an intricate caramelised sugar creation, balanced exotically on the desserts. Delicious.
A cup of filter coffee afforded us a little more time at our table, and then it was time to go. For those who are feeling bold at the end of the meal, there are Dom Pedros and Irish coffees waiting to be ordered.
Deluxe Family Restaurant5 PlatesExpect to spend US$35 – US$45 per head
