Alo Alo: For spectacular culinary delights

 I was invited to join a group of friends for Sunday lunch on a crisp sunny day a couple of weeks ago.  A couple of ancient shade trees bless the garden and we sat at a discreet table settled on brick paving between green lawn and clumps of greenery.
The move to Arundel seems a good one for Alo Alo. The marriage with the Alliance moved out of the honeymoon phase very quickly and was an uneasy if not downright hostile ‘alliance’ by the end. Both parties had very different expectations and requirements and I heard many complaints from both sides. After months of remaining empty the Alliance Café is about to reopen as Niche Bistro and I look forward to trying that out. A committee member told me that they want a much more casual restaurant there which will complement cultural events at the Centre and add value to the venue as a whole.
But back to Arundel where the old house behind the Spar car park has been lovingly refurbished – the inside spacious with warm tones and welcoming décor and the garden with room for discreet tables and lawns where children can spill over onto picnic blankets next to their families. Which didn’t please my friend who comes from far too large a family and has sworn off procreation! All the same it was private enough for us to keep to ourselves and for the kids still to have a good time – in the distance!
Although pricy, all food is beautifully cooked and I love the over-the-top presentation with deep fried spring onions, butternut crisps and fresh herb garnishes.
None of us found the Sunday lunch special tempting in spite of the price, (a starter and a main for US$16). Our friend, a regular Alo Alo patron recommended highly a cheese soufflé as a starter but unfortunately it wasn’t on that Sunday and none of us wanted the French Onion soup. So we all chose from the a la carte – mains only – and they were certainly substantial portions.  
Beef Wellington is a spectacular party dish – a whole fillet, surrounded by juicy mushrooms and herbs, wrapped in crisp pastry. Alo Alo’s version (US$22,50) features fillet steak with a separate pastry lid and mushrooms on the side. Lacks the drama of the party dish but it tasted very good, the steak rare as ordered, the pastry crisp and puffy and the mushrooms tasting of herbs and garlic. Stuffed gem squash (with peas, cauliflower and cheese) make a lovely accompanying all-in-one vegetable and I enjoyed the different colours and textures added by the garnishes.
Chicken Kiev (US$18) – crum-bed chicken breasts stuffed with garlic and mushrooms looked delicious – as was the braised lamb (US$25) served with mashed potato and very good home-made mint sauce in its own accompanying vessel. Chips were excellent and we were all entertained by being offered a choice of fat or thin, crisp or soft. Mine were thin and crisp and perfectly cooked.
Service is discreet and efficient and staff professional creating an atmosphere both relaxed and welcoming. Proprietor, Adrian Orford was in attendance and is a gracious and friendly host giving all guests a warm greeting. None of us had room for dessert – and if there was any niggle it would be a request to serve smaller portions for lower prices so that we could fit more in!
Alo Alo is a high quality restaurant – and added kudos for having their menu and prices visible  on the eatout website.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com