The Grill On The Alley - San Jose

The staff was fantastic and were able to accommodate our party of 12. A big thank you for the excellent service! The food was outstanding; the truffle fries are a must-try. We also had the Rivoli lobster and shrimp, which was rich and delicious. We brought our own wine, but I found the service fee to be quite steep: the first two bottles cost $30 each, and after that, it was $60 per bottle!

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, which is quite lovely. The staff was very friendly and provided great service. During happy hour, I tried a small dish—the Sliced NY Pepper Steak. The steak was absolutely delicious, and I particularly enjoyed the sauce with bacon and onions. It paired perfectly with the Cabernet wine!

The Grill is an excellent alternative to Flemings. If the staff is fully present, you're sure to enjoy your meal here. The food is quite good, and the atmosphere is inviting. There's an option to dine outdoors, which is perfect for enjoying a sunny meal with a nice breeze. This restaurant is ideal for special occasions, such as anniversary dinners, and is also a popular spot for important business meetings, especially among lawyers. The pricing tends to attract a certain clientele, making it a great choice if you're looking for an exclusive dining experience. The drinks are quite strong, and I highly recommend trying the Old Fashioned. However, I found the bread a bit tough, and the butter was not softened. I ordered the lobster bisque, but it lacked lobster meat, with not even a small tail present — though I must say, it was delicious and rich in flavor. Surprisingly, the crab cake looked unappealing but tasted amazing. Unfortunately, the presentation was lacking, giving a sense of poor effort in the plating. The Pinot Grigio was delightful. On the downside, parking is quite limited. My experience started with a delayed acknowledgment upon arrival. Although I was seated within five minutes, the service was noticeably slow due to understaffing. A group of four gentlemen even left before receiving service, having only the bartender managing the bar area, while seven other customers waited. I arrived at 1:45 PM on a Monday, and the host arrived at 1:51 PM. It took another ten minutes to have my order taken, while I waited ten minutes for water and thirteen minutes for my drink. My appetizer arrived at 2:06 PM, with the bread and crab cake following shortly after at 2:08 PM. I'll definitely consider returning, but only for a special occasion given the service issues.

4.75 stars Nice place. Good cocktails, bartender was willing to try something new and look up a recipe and give it a shot, turned out great. Would have given 5 stars for slightly more professional service, a little too casual...maybe that's theambiance (we normally go to The Sea). Need to step up their beer game, more craft beers...plenty of local choices. We will beback.

Thank you for the wonderful dining experience! The food was outstanding in its presentation, flavor, and quality—kudos to the Chef and kitchen staff! Our server, Steve, and his entire team were exceptional. We truly felt valued, comfortable, and welcomed throughout our visit!