If you are looking for a meal slow-cooked with love and integrity, served up with charm and attentive hospitality, then look no further than Al Forno, one of the newer dining options that has popped up in Busselton in recent years. This quaint European style take-away service and open kitchen restaurant has earned a bit of a cult following since opening in 2013 by husband and wife duo, Hans and Dagmar van Diest. With a combined experience of almost 60 years in the hospitality industry, Hans and Dagmar have owned and/or managed several restaurants across their native Netherlands, throughout Europe and now Australia since making the move here in 2010.
Al Forno meaning “from the oven” was born from the concept of being able to offer patrons the convenience of take-away but serving delicious and fresh produce, cooked with ‘old-school’ techniques in an authentic French Molteni stove to maximise flavour. The take away menu offers a selection of single serves or family dishes as well as thin crust pizzas with homemade sauce, all served in returnable Le Creuset cookware or biodegradable containers to reduce their carbon footprint.
Diners also have the option of sitting down in-house to a uniquely ‘Hans style’ alacarte menu with a variety of European influenced dishes or the 3 course ‘Trust the Chef’ option on weekends. Did we mentioned they are also BYO so you can also bring your favourite local wine! Don’t forget to book ahead if you prefer to dine in.
Unfortunately due to the constraints of operating their own restaurant in the evenings, Hans and Dagmar can’t make as many of our Member Mingles as they would like but they try to get out of the kitchen when possible! Make sure to say hello if you pop in for dinner or keep an eye out for their take-away specials which change monthly!
