The Grill on the Alley - San Jose

Review summary

1. J

   James

   Los Angeles

   39 reviews

   5.0

   39 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   For a steak house, their Sea Bass was delicious! The Hamachi Crudo was just OK - but not bad.
   

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2. J

   Jonathan

   San Francisco

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lucas and other staff were awesome. We had a very early dinner, food was prepared perfectly. It may sound odd, but the bread was spectacular. We cannot wait to return. Cheers
   

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3. A

   Alyx

   Seattle

   6 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on September 22, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   So this place used to be our go to steak house. The time we went before this time I’m writing about, they were talking about how they’re struggling to stay afloat. Well my dad and stepmom were in town and like steak so we took them here. The second we opened the menu my boyfriend and I both looked at each other and said “uh oh”. They hike the prices up way higher than Morton’s (which was across the street and packed) whereas the grill had maybe two or three other parties tops? Anyway, selection decreased, prices increased, no bread service anymore. The waiter wasn’t as attentive as he could’ve been especially cuz basically no one was there. When it came time for dessert, he told us they don’t have a printout dessert menu so he verbally ran us through the options and forgot to mention canolis initially but we decided on the chocolate lava cake with espresso ice cream. He comes back and says sorry that was actually yesterday’s menu and gave us the options for today. None of which sounded good. We got coffee. It was $6 per cup of coffee (which of course we didn’t know til after since no printed out menu. I suppose we could’ve asked but still) and the coffee tasted like….idk I’m sorry but basically dirty dishwater. Incredibly disappointing. Everything about this experience. We will never be going here again. Will try Morton’s next time.
   

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4. Z

   Zari

   Tulsa

   5 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on September 22, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It’s always great food, excellent service and outstanding drinks.
   

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5. c

   cliffmm

   San Francisco

   17 reviews

   2.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on August 25, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   The Grill at 5:30 was not crowded. Service was slow even after announcing we needed to get out for a play. We have been very annoyed in the last couple dinners that they don’t have bread or rolls to serve with the meals. That alone makes us unsure we will return. The value was high for small portions, especially the roasted chicken.
   

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6. M

   Maria

   San Francisco

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on August 6, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   For all the times I love the restaurant they change the menu maybe change owners before they received w a basket of delicious bread w butter this time when they didn’t put the bread I asked and they want to charge me extra for having bread
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on July 7, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   Luis was fantastic, as was the rest of the crew. We sat outside and were checked on with regularity. The menu is a different story. Unbeknownst to us the menu was changed to some sort of Asian steakhouse fusion profile. Came for the french onion, potatoes, and NY. Left disappointed by the new side dishes, missing chicken dish, and appetizers. We will miss this restaurant, but won’t be coming back due to the new menu.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   4 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on July 2, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 5

   We ordered steak and a peppercorn sauce. We never got it - service was awful
   

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9. OC

   OCEric

   Orange County

   81 reviews

   4.0

   81 reviews

   Dined on June 23, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is my fifth time to this old school steak house. The unwelcome changes on this visit were the removal of bread service and a more limited menu. On prior visits, they served a fresh baked bread with butter and sprinkled with salt. In my opinion, that is a must for a steak house. Mastros, Morton’s, and Ruth’s Chris all serve various wonderful breads with the salads or as a starter. The server told me this is a change made by the new chef and for which he has fielded numerous complaints. Additionally, the menu needs a better variety of salads. I had to request a simple balsamic green salad, because they removed the wonderful wedge salad they had for many years. Again, another staple of a a good steak house gone. I hope the GM reads and corrects these very easily corrected issues. Because the place is otherwise fantastic. The halibut and Wagyu short ribs were top notch.
   

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10. R

    Rick

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    It had been a while since our last visit, so we were a little concerned when we it was easy getting a reservation last minute ... but .... we were warmly greeted at the door, brought back to our table by our waiter and we had a great evening. The service was exemplary, each dish we ordered was delicious (the seabass was the table favorite), and the bartender did an excellent job on the cocktails. We will definitely be back - for the service and quality we had last night, I would have thought the place would be packed.
    

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