What people say about Alforno Bakery & Cafe

Yes, most reviewers describe the takeout pizza as good, calling it "Excellent pizzas, pasta, breads and desserts"¹ and praising a "thin & crispy crust" that is "very light to eat"². Many single out specific qualities, such as "a pizza (soo good)"³ with "perfectly stretchy cheese"⁴, and one customer admitted being "impressed at how good it was" even with few toppings⁵.

Complaints about quality. A smaller number of reviewers disagreed, with one saying takeout pizza "was pretty disappointing"⁶ and another noticing the "Margherita pizza last night" "tasted very different from all the other times"⁷. Others reported more serious problems, including a pizza that was "SOAKED, entire crust is wet"⁸, and one visitor called their pizza "completely dry with no flavours"⁹.

Many call them "delicious croissants"¹ and say "the different croissants are such a treat"². One reviewer wrote the croissant "comes close to the delicate craftsmanship of a Viennese pastry chef"³, while another said "the croissants are heavenly delicious"⁴. A visitor described them as "croissants so buttery they could shatter like glass"⁵, and another noted "the croissant was so soft, moist and fresh"⁶.

Dissenting opinions. One complained that the croissants were "on par with the $1 grocery store variety"⁷, and another found that "the plain croissant was quite dry and flavourless"⁸.

Overpriced for the size. Several reviewers tie the small portions to high prices, describing food as "heavily overpriced for what you get — small portions, average food"¹ and a salad that was "90pct arugula and maybe half a beet diced up"². Others found the overall value lacking, saying it is "expensive for the portions you get"³ and that "the quantity is so less as compared to the prices"⁴, with one simply calling it "okay but very small portions"⁵.

Some positive experiences. A smaller number of reviewers disagreed, with one praising a "great portion size when you stay to eat"⁶ and another saying breakfast portions "were generous and very tasty"⁷.

Many call out the salted caramel version specifically, saying it "is so creamy and rich"¹ and "is rich and indulgent but oh so worth it"². Others praise the raspberry cheesecake as "really delicious"³, and one reviewer said they "loved their raspberry cheesecake!"⁴ Several describe it as among the best they've had, with one saying it "was the best I have had in calgary"⁵.

Portion size complaint. One reviewer disagreed, saying they paid for "a piece of cheesecake that was approximately 3 inches in size"⁶, feeling the value had declined from before.

Repeat visits. Despite that, many say they come back specifically for it, with one noting they "love coming here for the almond croissants and cheese cake"⁷, and another saying the cheesecake "was definitely worth a trip back"⁸.

Some say the quality has declined, with one noting "the food has been genuinely bad"¹, while another called their order "overly expensive, inedible eggs benedict"².

Positive experiences. Many reviewers praise the dish enthusiastically, with one calling it "the best eggs Benedict I've ever had in my life"³. Others found it "very fresh and flavourful"⁴ or said it "tasted great and fresh"⁵. Several highlighted specific variations, such as the "duck eggs Benedict and it was delicious"⁶, and one reviewer simply said "the eggs benedict is to die for"⁷.

Several called it among the best they've had, with one reviewer saying their pasta dishes were "the best version of these dishes I have had outside of Italy"¹. Others were simply enthusiastic, with one writing "Love the pasta!"² , and another noting "the pasta was done to perfection"³. The bakery angle was also praised, as one reviewer enjoyed "fresh pasta and fresh cake dessert"⁴, while another called it "The most tasty pizza and pasta"⁵ and a further reviewer said it was "Really good pasta, baked goods and amazing breakfast sandwiches"⁶.

Mixed experiences. One reviewer said "The pasta had no flavourl and didn't taste fresh"⁷, while another reported that "two dishes were served cold, which was a major letdown"⁸. A third reviewer simply described the "pasta was bland"⁹.

One customer said "the small fruit tarts are definitely worth trying"¹, and another called the fruit tart "absolutely amazing"².

Specific flavors praised. Several reviewers singled out particular tart flavors, such as the raspberry tart being "delicious"³. Others described the tart from a mixed order as "especially delicious"⁴ and noted the "mini tarts were delicious"⁵.

Part of larger orders. Another longtime customer recalled enjoying the "fresh tarts"⁶ during visits to the bakery.

One reviewer called them "amazing as well - definitely a must try"¹, while another simply described them as "good cinnamon buns"². Several others went further, saying they were "the absolute best cinnamon buns I have ever had"³ and "probably the best one I've ever had"⁴.

Taste and texture. Reviewers praised the texture and flavor, noting they were "out of this world good perfectly sticky and sweet but not too sweet"⁵, and others mentioned they come "huge with cream cheese frosting"⁶. One customer described a cinnamon roll eaten with coffee, noting "the lemon-flavored cream topping was also delicious"⁷.

A dissenting view. Not every review was positive, as one customer complained that the "cinnamon buns were as hard as a rock"⁸ after a takeaway order.

One visitor called it "hands down one of the best bakeries in Calgary"¹, while another simply described it as an "amazing bakery"². Others agreed it's a "very good bakery"³ and that "their bakery is fantastic"⁴.

Specific items praised. The bakery counter is noted for its variety, showcasing "a lot of delicious choices"⁵.

The cafe's bakery is also seen as a welcome addition to the area, filling a gap where there "lacked a bakery and nice casual eating establishment"⁶.

Many describe it as outstanding, with one calling it "the best in town!"¹ Others simply note that "their sourdough bread is amazing"² or that "the sour dough bread is amazing"³.

Limited availability. One said they "love their sourdough, but they never have enough unless you come right at opening"⁴, while another mentioned they "love their sourdough bread loaf, but rarely there is something left"⁵.

Other uses. The sourdough also appears in other dishes, such as a breakfast sandwich made on a "home made sour dough large roll"⁶.

One customer called them "Amazing cheddar scones"¹, while another found the scone "delicious and had great texture"². Others simply said "Scones were good"³ or that "the scones are good with the lattes"⁴.

Afternoon Tea. At afternoon tea, the scones were described as "some of the best I've had"⁵, and another visitor said the scones "reminded me of England, authentic and fluffy"⁶.

One described having "dreams of the carbonara and carrot cake"¹, while another called it "super delicious and flavorful"². A friend's order was described as "it was amazing"³, and another reviewer stated "their carbonara is the best"⁴.

Negative experiences. A couple of reviewers disagreed, with one noting "the carbonara was incredibly oily halfway through eating it"⁵ and another calling it "horrible"⁶.

One reviewer said the cronuts were "out of this world"¹, and another found their sandwich and cronut "100% worth it"². A visitor also recommended the cronut as a snack option³, while another noted it's worth grabbing one "before they sell out"⁴.

Selling out fast. Several reviewers mentioned that cronuts can be hard to get because they sell out quickly, with one saying it's worth it if you can "grab a cronut before they sell out"⁴.

One reviewer ordered them and found it "amazing!!!"¹ , while another calls them "amazing" as well². A third reviewer describes the dish as a "must try"³, and another found them "super flavorful and well done"⁴.

One reviewer complained it was "brought to me cold straight from the fridge"¹, while another found the salad itself a letdown since it used "leafy lettuce, croutons and aeoli" instead of a more familiar style².

Positive experiences. Other customers enjoyed it, with one saying "my chicken salad croissant had good flavor"³. Another called it a favorite, noting "my favorite is chicken salad croissant"⁴.

One reviewer described enjoying lunchtime there with "delicious food items"¹, while another simply called the offerings "Good dishes for lunch"². Others found it a reliable choice, noting it was a "Good spot for lunch and coffee"³ and praising a "great lunch and dinner menu"⁴.

One reviewer said it "was delicious" alongside a mocha latte¹, while another praised the broader menu and highlighted "the new avocado bowl is great"².

Negative Experience. At least one reviewer reported getting sick after eating it, saying they "got the avocado toast and sick all morning"³.