One of the most popular restaurants in Kingston is Al Forno, which offers diners an authentic taste of Italy.

The restaurant, in the High Street, is opposite the attractive Queen’s Promenade which runs by the river, and is just a stone’s throw from the town’s historic market place.

This family-run eaterie has built its reputation on offering great home-made food in a relaxed atmosphere.

The owner is Fabio Frusciante, who has been running Al Forno for the past eight years.

“Our customers always comment that eating here is as if you have been transported back to Italy, as the food and atmosphere are so authentic,” he says.

“My team have great enthusiasm and energy and set out to ensure every customer leaves the restaurant feeling satisfied and smiling.”

Al Forno has covers for 100 and can be booked for private parties. It offers live music and dancing on Friday nights, when everyone can get in the party mood. A look at the gallery of photographs on Al Forno’s website shows diners having a great time at special themed evenings and parties.

A lot of the restaurant’s success comes down to its delicious food cooked by chef Valerio, who says: “Al Forno is a fantastic restaurant to work in. I love to work with the team. We bring so much energy here, and I have a passion to serve beautiful fresh, Italian food. Our customers love it because we make their dining experience entertaining.”

Valerio Federico has spent 25 years working in restaurants in London and Italy, and takes pride in cooking home-made Italian dishes using the freshest ingredients.

Customers love tagliolini al cartoccio – home-made lemon pasta with fresh seafood baked in the oven.

Also, particularly popular is the antipasto Italiano. This dish for two offers a selection of Italian appetisers featuring salami, mortadella, parma ham, grilled vegetables and various cheeses.

The most popular main course is the vitello a norma (£14.95) - veal escalope braised with white wine in a mozzarella, tomato and aubergine sauce served with sautéed potato and seasoned vegetables.

Vegetarians aren’t forgotten either with the lasagne vegetarian being one of the favourites among non meat-eaters.

To round off your meal try the home-made tiramisu (£4.50) which features layers of soft sponge soaked with espresso coffee and liquer, filled with zabaglione cream and dusted with cocoa powder.

The menu is good value, and the drinks are reasonably priced too, with the house wine, a Barbera from north Italy, costing £13.50 for a bottle and £4 for a glass.

What customers say: James Price has been been a regular customer at Al Forno since it first opened.

He says: “We've enjoyed some special times there. I’ll never forget the night Italy won the World Cup and we celebrated at the restaurant, or the lazy summer Sunday lunches that stretch long into the evening, as time slows down transporting one back to a time when life was simpler.

“I no longer see myself as a customer but part of the family. Fabio and his staff are always there to greet you with a smile and a warm welcome, bringing a sense of community and belonging to a sometimes harsh and unfriendly city. “The home-cooked food is always superb. From the freshly made pasta, and bread cooked daily, to the delicious desserts (yes they are home-made too). Mama would be very proud of Valerio the head chef.”

Al Forno 1-3a Town End Parade High Street Kingston KT1 1LY Tel: 020 8439 7555 www.alfornokingston.com Open: Monday to Thursday noon to 3pm, evening 5.30 to 11pm Friday to Sunday open all day until 11.30pm.